Just when fans thought Walford had thrown all the curveballs it could, EastEnders has pulled off another jaw-dropping twist – and this one could rip open old wounds and rewrite family dynamics in the most shocking way.

Anthony Truman, the charming doctor and son of Patrick Trueman, is officially returning to Albert Square – and his comeback is far more than a nostalgic nod. After a 17-year absence, actor Nicholas Bailey is back, and so is the emotionally complicated character fans loved – and feared.

Originally arriving in 2000, Anthony quickly became a central figure in early 2000s EastEnders. His mix of professional ambition, romantic entanglements, and personal demons made him one of Walford’s most layered characters. But after heartbreak, betrayal, and a shattered family bond, he quietly walked away in 2005 – with only a brief emotional return in 2014 when his father suffered a stroke.

Now, in summer 2025, Anthony is back. But this isn’t just a warm family reunion.

Patrick Trueman is preparing to marry long-time love Yolande, and Anthony’s return is meant to be a heartwarming surprise. But in true EastEnders fashion, nothing is ever that simple. What begins as a brief visit quickly turns into something much deeper – and much more dangerous.

The Past Resurfaces – And So Do Old Regrets

Anthony’s initial joy at seeing his father again is soon overshadowed by tension and unfinished business. There are cracks in the Trueman household, and Anthony isn’t just a passive observer. According to EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey, “Anthony ends up staying longer than expected when he uncovers what’s really going on.”

What secrets is the Trueman family hiding?

And how will Anthony react when faced with the emotional fallout of everything he left behind?

Nicholas Bailey hints at deep character evolution since we last saw Anthony. “I’m excited to see what the passage of time has done to Anthony,” he reveals. But viewers can expect more than quiet reflection – because Anthony has always been a ticking emotional time bomb, and his re-entry into Walford may set off a chain reaction no one is ready for.

Enter: Kat Slater… and Old Flames

Adding fuel to the fire is Anthony’s infamous romantic history – particularly with Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace. The two had a passionate, doomed relationship that imploded in classic Walford fashion. Kat, never one for convention, wasn’t ready to be the polished partner of a doctor. Their brief reunion ended in heartbreak, but Anthony’s feelings clearly ran deeper than either was willing to admit.

And there’s more: Anthony also had a brief fling with Kat’s teenage daughter, Zoe Slater – a scandalous triangle that tore open emotional scars and left fans speechless. With Zoe also rumoured to be making a return, it begs the question: are we heading for a volatile Truman-Slater love triangle revival?

And what does this mean for Alfie Moon, who still shares a complex emotional history with Kat? The return of Anthony could ignite old jealousy – and threaten Alfie’s already fragile place in Kat’s heart.

What Lies Ahead: Drama, Disruption, and Difficult Truths

Behind the excitement of Anthony’s return lies a deeper emotional story – one about reconnection, identity, and the inevitable consequences of the past.

Will Anthony mend his relationship with Patrick? Or will buried resentments resurface, turning celebration into confrontation?

Will he cross paths with Kat again – and will sparks fly or bridges burn?

Could his reappearance stir up the Zoe scandal all over again?

And most importantly: what has time really done to Anthony Truman? Is he still the conflicted man torn between duty and desire? Or has life away from Walford made him stronger… or more dangerous?

One Return. Infinite Consequences.

EastEnders has always excelled at using returning characters to shake the foundations of the Square, and Anthony’s reappearance promises to do exactly that. With powerful family ties, unresolved romantic drama, and the weight of secrets long buried, his return could ripple across multiple storylines.

Fans should brace for tension, heartbreak, and unexpected twists, because this summer, Albert Square is about to get a lot more complicated.