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EastEnders' new arrivals tease Halloween story and "challenging" character drama

Actors Anna Constable and Felix Uff have teased what lies ahead for their characters.

Anna Constable and Felix Uff as Jodie and Ryder Hawkins, respectively, in a promo image for EastEnders.

BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Published: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 at 12:00 am

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We have some new details on upcoming arrivals Jodie and Ryder Hawkins in EastEnders.

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The BBC One soap has already introduced us to some of the extended family of Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), but that roster is to expand further in the coming days.

Patriarch Ned Roper (Jamie Bamber) is to arrive alongside wife Gemma Hawkins (Patricia Potter) and their son Ryder (Felix Uff).

Accompanying them will be Gemma and Nicola's younger sister Jodie (Anna Constable), who viewers met with Gemma and their mother Rose (Marian McLoughlin) earlier this month.

While much fuss has been made about Rose, Gemma, and even Ned before his arrival, what can we expect of Jodie and Ryder?

Well, it seems lots of fun - but big stories...

Anna Constable as a smiling Jodie Hawkins in EastEnders.

Anna Constable as Jodie Hawkins in EastEnders. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Describing joining the soap in a chat with the BBC, Constable commented: "Everyone has been so welcoming. In my first week, any time I came across someone new, they would come over and say hello. Because I’m autistic, I have hypersensitivity, and everyone was very aware of not wanting to overwhelm me. They were all really caring, which I thought was lovely."

About Jodie, Constable said: "The best way I would describe her is that, within her friendship group, where everyone has their own role, such as the mum of the group, she would be the guard dog or the protector. She protects fiercely and is incredibly loyal!"

Speaking about an upcoming story for the character, Constable added: "I’m excited for Halloween because it’s Jodie’s favourite holiday, and it kicks off a great storyline for her!"

We know in recent years that EastEnders has started to make a big deal out of its Halloween episodes, so it'll be interesting to see what this sparks for Jodie!

Felix Uff as Ryder Hawkins standing in front of a green van in EastEnders.

Felix Uff as Ryder Hawkins in EastEnders. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Meanwhile, Jodie's nephew Ryder Hawkins (Felix Uff) is set to be a resident "cheeky chappy" and bring some lightness and fun to Walford.

"He was described to me as being like a puppy," revealed Uff to the BBC. "I definitely feel that as there is a real sense of joy about him. I suppose with that comes a sense of innocence, but I see him as mischievous.

"He’s much smarter than he lets on, and he uses humour as a bit of a weapon. I think there is a mercurial nature to him that he definitely gets from his dad, and a real sense of warmth that he gets from his mum."

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However, it seems that an upcoming storyline will see these traits of Ryder tested - so expect high drama for the Hawkins lad.

Uff teased: "There has to be light and shade with everything, and so if Ryder is happy-go-lucky, I think it’s safe to say that things might be coming his way that could challenge that and change that in the coming weeks."

Read more:

EastEnders is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Lewis Knight, smiling against a lime green background.

Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis is the news and trends editor at Radio Times and leads our approach to news, reactive content, and serving audience demands and interests. An obsessive fan of television and film, Lewis is a Nicole Kidman fanatic with a side of passion for science-fiction, art-house cinema and the latest HBO drama. Lewis has a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Film Studies. After working in advertising, Lewis worked at The Mirror for three years in community management and SEO, showbiz, film and television reporting.

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