EASTENDERS’ characters Kat and Alfie will take a break from Walford later this year when they travel to Ireland to star in their own drama series.
The on/off lovers have had a rough time in the show over the past few months so the BBC writers are taking them away from the show's fictional hub in Albert Square to start a new life.
The new six-part drama series for BBC One has been created by Exec Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins and will be written and produced by the EastEnders team.
Speaking about the new drama, Treadwell-Collins said there are "huge twists for Kat and Alfie Moon" in the coming weeks.
"Now is the perfect time to take two of EastEnders’ most beloved and enduring characters out of their comfort zone as they head to Ireland to search for answers to some very big questions… My team here are very excited about creating a whole new drama that stands apart from EastEnders while taking our style of storytelling to a place of stories, myth, secrets and immeasurable beauty.”
Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One, hinted that life will not be any less dramatic for the couple in their new Irish home: “Life is anything but dull for Kat and Alfie as they embark on a new life in Ireland in this exciting drama series. Rest assured, their rollercoaster isn’t set to end any time soon.”
Actor Shane Richie, who has played the role of cockney Alfie since 2002 said: “To have a whole drama focused around Kat and Alfie is a huge honour for us both and we just can’t wait to start filming.”
Jessie Wallace, who plays the firecracker, fake tan-loving role of Kat Moon added: “When I heard of this new drama to take Kat and Alfie outside of Walford, I couldn’t believe our luck. To be exploring the next chapter for Kat as well as working alongside my best mate, Shane, is a dream come true and a huge compliment.”
Kat and Alfie’s new drama series will start filming this autumn and is due to transmit in 2016.
See More: BBC, Eastenders, Featured, Ireland
