The new year has brought no respite for Walford's beleaguered Slater family, as a seriously unwell Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) spirals further into a dangerous mental health crisis on EastEnders.
A Family Shattered by Christmas Trauma
The roots of Jean's current decline stretch back to the traumatic events of Christmas Day 2025 at the Queen Vic. The shocking return of Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) was followed by Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) discovering her daughter, Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), was alive. The day culminated in the death of Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) and Zoe's subsequent arrest, leaving the family in pieces.
For Jean, however, the cracks began appearing earlier. The departure of her daughter Stacey (Lacey Turner) to Brazil with her children deeply affected her. Symptoms first became visible at Freddie Slater's (Bobby Brazier) going-away party, where Jean acted erratically and confessed to sending Zoe a threatening message, blaming her for the family's misfortunes.
Delusions and a Descent into Paranoia
In recent episodes, Jean has become obsessed with investigating Anthony Trueman's death. What began with an incident board and a visit to the psychiatrist with Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) – scenes initially played for uneasy comedy – quickly turned dark. Jean became convinced that Jasmine Fisher is the murderer responsible for destroying the Slaters.
Her condition deteriorated as she immersed herself in online conspiracy videos about good, evil, and demonic possession. When Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) was overheard talking to her granddaughter Charli, Jean's paranoia exploded. She accused Sam of conspiring with Jasmine to take her great-granddaughter away.
The situation reached a terrifying climax when Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace) found Jean's room empty with the window open. Jean had confronted Jasmine, frantic and unable to distinguish reality from delusion. In a heartbreaking monologue, she described how the Slaters saved her from darkness, before brandishing a stool at Jasmine, believing her to be an imposter sent to annihilate her family.
No End in Sight for the Slaters' Agony
Despite interventions from Jasmine, Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier), and Eve – who stayed to watch over her – Jean's delusions remain fixed. She delivered an ultimatum to Alfie: either Jasmine leaves Walford, or she will.
With Zoe in prison, Kat in Corfu, and Jean's health rapidly declining, the resilience of the iconic Slater clan is being tested like never before. This latest chapter in Jean's long-running and acclaimed bipolar disorder storyline, masterfully portrayed by Gillian Wright, continues to be one of the soap's most powerful and difficult to watch narratives.
