Jasmine Sentenced to Life for Anthony’s Death | EastEnders

Walford is about to be rocked by one of its darkest and most far-reaching storylines yet, as EastEnders builds toward devastating consequences for Jasmine Fischer and the people caught in her orbit. Next week’s episodes see danger creeping ever closer to Max Branning, who unknowingly places himself in the path of a woman capable of murder, manipulation, and desperate acts to protect her secrets.

Jasmine’s arrival on the Square already sent shockwaves through the community when it was revealed last year that she was the long-lost daughter of Zoe Slater. What began as a dramatic family reunion quickly spiraled into horror when viewers learned the truth behind Anthony Truman’s death. The festive season turned fatal when Anthony was killed on Christmas Day, and the most chilling revelation of all was that Jasmine herself was responsible for the crime. While the truth has remained buried, the fallout has been enormous—especially for Zoe, who now sits behind bars for a murder she did not commit.

As the weeks have passed, Jasmine’s conscience has begun to weigh heavily on her. Guilt gnaws at her as she watches her mother suffer the consequences of her actions, yet fear continues to outweigh remorse. Rather than confessing and freeing Zoe, Jasmine becomes consumed with escape. She pins her hopes on fleeing Walford with her boyfriend, Oscar Branning, convinced that running is the only way to survive.

However, standing firmly in the way of that plan is Oscar’s father, Max. Sharp-eyed and protective, Max begins to sense that something is seriously wrong. When he discovers that Oscar and Jasmine are secretly planning to leave the Square together, tensions explode. A heated confrontation in the Queen Vic takes an ugly turn when Jasmine, backed into a corner, makes a shocking accusation—claiming that Max made an inappropriate advance toward her.

The accusation sends ripples through the pub. Given Max’s infamous history and past behavior, the claim initially seems believable to some. Yet this time, the truth is very different. For once, Max is completely innocent, blindsided by Jasmine’s willingness to destroy his reputation to protect herself. The moment marks a dangerous escalation, showing just how far Jasmine is prepared to go when she feels threatened.

In the episodes that follow, Max becomes increasingly determined to break Jasmine’s grip on his son. He is convinced that she is manipulating Oscar and steering him toward disaster. What Max does not realize is that the woman he is standing up to is a killer, driven by panic and desperation. As Max digs deeper, he begins to uncover cracks in Jasmine’s carefully constructed lies.

One discovery proves particularly explosive. Max learns that Jasmine has been falsely claiming she gave a statement to the police—one that could potentially help clear Zoe’s name. Realizing this is untrue, Max believes he has finally found leverage. Armed with this information, he confronts Jasmine and threatens to expose her deception unless she backs away from Oscar for good.

At first, the plan appears to succeed. Oscar is later seen searching for Jasmine at the Vic, only to confide in Kat Moon that he and Jasmine had been planning to run away together. The revelation confirms Max’s worst fears, but it also suggests that Jasmine may be losing her hold over Oscar as doubts creep in.

The fragile calm does not last long. Max eventually admits to Oscar that he challenged Jasmine over her lies, sparking fury and heartbreak. Oscar feels betrayed and torn between loyalty to his father and his feelings for Jasmine. With her web of lies unraveling and her relationship hanging by a thread, Jasmine finds herself more cornered than ever.

As the tension mounts, one chilling question hangs over Walford: what will Jasmine do next? With everything she values slipping away and the threat of exposure looming, the danger surrounding Max intensifies. Viewers are left fearing that Jasmine may resort to extreme measures once again to silence anyone who stands between her and freedom.

While Jasmine’s story dominates the Square with suspense and dread, another storyline unfolds that promises long-term consequences of its own. George Knight finds himself facing a life-altering decision after receiving an offer he never expected from Nicola Mitchell. With dreams of buying Walford East slipping through his fingers after his bid is rejected, George is left deflated and uncertain about his future.

When he shares his disappointment with Nicola, she wastes no time in offering a solution—she will bankroll the entire deal. The offer leaves George stunned. Despite the fact that they are expecting a child together, he remains deeply wary of allowing Nicola back into his life in such a powerful position. His concerns are echoed by Billy Mitchell, who warns him bluntly about Nicola’s manipulative nature and urges him not to trust her.

Although Honey attempts to play matchmaker and encourage a reunion between George and Nicola, Billy shuts the idea down immediately. He recalls Teddy’s earlier warning that Nicola is trouble and feels compelled to pass that message along. George listens carefully, torn between ambition and instinct.

Later, Nicola tracks George down at the café and repeats her offer, insisting it is purely business. George is unconvinced and rejects her outright, pointing out that she would never extend such generosity without expecting something in return. Even her pregnancy does not soften his stance. He makes it clear that if he needs money, he would rather approach a bank than risk indebting himself to her—unaware that Billy is quietly listening nearby.

Stung and furious, Nicola lashes out, telling George to find someone else foolish enough to fund his dreams. Left conflicted, George later seeks advice from Sam Mitchell. Sam reminds him that he and Nicola are about to become parents, but George argues that this is precisely why owing her money feels so dangerous. He questions whether it could ever truly be “just business.”

That evening at Harry’s Barn, George swallows his pride and approaches Nicola again to see if the offer still stands. Sensing that she now holds the upper hand, Nicola toys with him, pretending not to understand his concerns. George finally lays everything on the table, explaining that he refuses to feel controlled or trapped and that any partnership must be completely transparent.

He insists that the deal remain strictly professional. Nicola eventually agrees, but only on her terms. She demands a formal contract and a clear repayment plan, delivering a chilling warning that he must honor every word if he signs. Though George laughs nervously as they seal the agreement with a handshake, the tension in the air suggests this deal may be the beginning of something far more calculated and dangerous.

Meanwhile, EastEnders continues to explore Sam Mitchell’s emotional journey following her breast cancer diagnosis—a storyline that has sparked both praise and frustration among viewers. Sam, usually known for her sharp tongue and scheming ways, is shaken to her core after discovering a lump in her breast. Haunted by memories of her mother Peggy’s battle with cancer, Sam initially avoids seeking help, convinced the worst is inevitable.

After Phil pushes her to confront her fears, Sam is diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and told she will need a lumpectomy. In recent episodes, she attends hospital appointments in secret, reluctant to tell her son Ricky the truth. A quiet moment in the Square gardens with George Knight encourages her to finally open up, leading to an emotional conversation in which Ricky promises to stand by her side.

Despite the hopeful direction of the storyline, some fans have complained that Sam’s medical journey has not been shown in enough depth, particularly her appointments and emotional struggles. However, it has been confirmed that Sam responds positively to treatment and is not leaving the soap.

Actress Kim Medcalf has explained that the storyline is designed to highlight the importance of early detection and seeking help, portraying Sam’s initial belief that her diagnosis is a death sentence before gradually finding hope through support and treatment. By the end, the story delivers a powerful message about resilience, fear, and survival.

As EastEnders weaves together these intense narratives—Jasmine’s deadly secrets, George’s dangerous deal, and Sam’s fight for her life—the Square stands on the brink of irreversible change. With Jasmine’s lies closing in and justice finally within reach, viewers are left bracing for the moment when the truth explodes and the consequences become impossible to escape.