Programme Information

The Walford-wide web

EastEnders: E20

From Friday 8 January

8.29pm at www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/e20

• Press pack

Walford takes its first big step into the wider world of the web as the online spin-off series, EastEnders: E20, begins, introducing four new faces – Fatboy (Ricky Norwood), Leon Small (Sam Attwater), Mercy Olubunmi (Bunmi Mojekwu) and Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny).

The foursome crash into the Square seeking solace from family life. With nowhere to live and no one else to turn to, they begin to depend on one another for support. Squatting together at 89b George Street, the secrets that drove them from their homes are slowly revealed. The highs and lows of their shared lives cement their friendship and the group becomes a force to be reckoned with.

In the first webisode, Zsa Zsa hurtles into the Square on the run from her mum's boyfriend, Andy. He thinks she's inside 89b George Street and he dumps all her stuff there and waits for her outside. But she's not there – Leon and Lucy Beale are inside. When Leon hears a row outside he jumps in to protect Zsa Zsa. Annoyed at this gesture, Lucy walks off in a huff.

Across the road, Mercy and Fatboy make a quick exit from the community centre where Fatboy's outlandish proposals to encourage more young people to the church has humiliated them both. As the pair walk past 89b, discarded bags of clothes catch Fatboy's eye. To Mercy's horror, he takes all the bags.

Leon – who is searching for Zsa Zsa – bumps into Fatboy and Mercy. With Fatboy brandishing Zsa Zsa's belongings, he persuades them to help look for her. Just as Fatboy spots Zsa Zsa in the market, Andy's car screeches round the corner and the group make a dash for 89b. Zsa Zsa has a key and they make it inside. Recovering together from their ordeal, Mercy slips out of the room to face up to a task she has been putting off all day...

Fatboy is played by Ricky Norwood, Leon by Sam Attwater, Mercy by Bunmi Mojekwu, Zsa Zsa by Emer Kenny, Andy by Steve North and Lucy by Melissa Suffield.

RN