Serial killer Gray Atkins made a surprise return to EastEnders during the June 29 early BBC iPlayer release.
Actor Toby-Alexander Smith reprised his villainous role for a guest stint centered around his character's grandmother, Sheila Atkins, and his young son, Jordan.
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Prison Alliance and Family Drama
The return marks the first appearance of the character in over four years after being imprisoned in 2022 for the murders of Chantelle Atkins, Kush Kazemi, and Tina Carter.
The storyline intersects with Chelsea Fox struggling to fund intensive rehabilitation for Jordan after a recent hit-and-run accident, alongside Denise Fox receiving an aggressive blood cancer diagnosis.
Seeking regular access to her great-grandson, Sheila Atkins visited her estranged grandson in the prison visiting room after Chelsea asked her to leave Albert Square.
Radio Times previously revealed Smith's comeback in May, noting that his scenes would remain confined to a cell and visiting room due to his life sentence.
"[Chelsea] doesn't want him to know who I am," complained Sheila Atkins.
Sheila then pressured the incarcerated former solicitor to use his past relationship with Chelsea to intervene on her behalf.
"He really is special. The thought of not seeing him again… I tried getting through to Chelsea, she wouldn't listen.
You and she had a life together. If anyone knows how to get through to her, it's you.
If I'm going to see Jordan again, I need your help," said Sheila Atkins.
