When did EastEnders first air on television?
The first episode of EastEnders aired at 7 p.m. on the 19th of February 1985.
Questions about EastEnders
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who created the characters for EastEnders and where were they based?
Julia Smith and Tony Holland created 23 characters in just 14 days while taking a holiday in Playa de los Pocillos, Lanzarote. Their character designs drew from real people including Smith's memories of Victorian squares and Holland's family history in Walthamstow.
Where is the exterior set for Albert Square located today?
The exterior set for Albert Square is located at the BBC Elstree Centre in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Filming commenced on the new set in January 2022 and it was first used on-screen in March 2022 after demolition on the old set began in November 2022.
What major social issues has EastEnders tackled since its launch?
EastEnders has addressed controversial subjects such as homosexuality rape unemployment racial prejudice drugs crime cot death HIV and mental health issues like schizophrenia. The show also covered prostitution mixed-race relationships shoplifting sexism divorce domestic violence and mugging to reflect realistic British culture.
When did EastEnders feature the first same-sex kiss on a British soap opera?
In 1987 the show featured the first same-sex kiss on a British soap when Colin Russell kissed boyfriend Barry Clark on the forehead. This was followed in January 1989 by the first on-the-mouth gay kiss in a British soap when Colin kissed Guido Smith in an episode watched by 17 million people.