EastEnders has shocked the viewers yet again following the arrest drama of one of its iconic characters, Lauren Branning. The New Year episode saw the highly awaited comeback of Lauren. However, it took an unexpected turn when Lauren ended up getting arrested for smuggling drugs. No way! She hadn’t even reached Walford yet. But how did she get into this mess? And most importantly, how did Penny poke the bear in Lauren’s arrest? Keep reading as we spill the beans on Lauren’s arrest before she could even set foot in Walford.
EastEnders: Back in France, But Is She?
Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) was returning to Walford after five long years! She made a brief comeback last summer when she visited her ex, Peter Beale, in France. There, she met with a shocking revelation that Peter’s mother, Cindy, was alive after faking her death for years. This time, however, Branning was caught in a tight spot. Why?
The New Year episode of EastEnders began with a house party. Lauren was still in France, staying with her cousin Penny. After shrugging off a few drunk men at the party, Lauren conversed with Penny. The latter told Lauren she doesn’t have a good relationship with her dad. Lauren tried to defend her Uncle Jack. She was also consumed with Peter’s thoughts as she had gotten a miserable “Happy New Year” text from him. Back in Walford, we saw Peter cherishing the picture of Lauren and Louie on his phone. Lauren told Penny that her son Louie still missed his dad, Peter.
As the party continued, Penny got anxious upon the arrival of a French lady named Juliette. The lady discussed how they narrowly avoided prison together and that Penny was still indebted to her. In the meantime, Lauren phoned Peter. She informed him that she would return to see Jack and Whitney for a few days. Lauren also warned Peter not to keep any secret from her as she still hadn’t forgiven him. Later, Lauren and Penny found Juliette talking to Lauren’s son Louie in his bedroom. She made hidden threats to Penny, forcing her to comply with the job.
Lauren’s Arrest at the Airport
It was unclear what ‘job’ Juliette wanted Penny to take care of on EastEnders. Nevertheless, Penny recognised a chance to escape with Lauren returning to Walford. Penny told Lauren she would like to leave France with her and Louie. All three of them headed to the station the following day. At the airport, a sniffer dog approached Lauren’s bag.
With no choice, Lauren underwent a bag inspection. She directed her son and cousin to proceed, thinking everything would be alright. To her surprise, the police pulled out a big brick of drugs, jarring Lauren. “That is not mine,” she insisted while the police took her into custody. Penny continued with Louie while Lauren was arrested, rendering the viewers speechless. The questions remain: who’s the perpetrator behind her arrest? How will the Walford residents react to Lauren’s eventual return? Keep coming back to TV Season and Spoilers to get your daily dose of EastEnders.