‘EastEnders’ Exclusive: Alex Walkinshaw Makes His Long-Awaited Walford Debut – But Can Ross Really Be Trusted?

After years of circling Albert Square from the periphery, Alex Walkinshaw – best known to UK viewers for his iconic roles as Smithy in The Bill and Fletch in Holby City – is finally stepping into the dramatic heart of EastEnders. But don’t expect an easy ride for his character, Ross. As the new man in Vicki Fowler’s life and already at odds with her brother Spencer, Ross is poised to shake things up in a major way — and possibly leave devastation in his wake.

For fans, this casting is long overdue. Walkinshaw admits that he came close to joining EastEnders a few times over the years, even once being considered as one of the infamous Moon brothers. “It never quite happened,” he laughs. “So I was possibly the only London actor who had never done an episode. I’ve never ruled it out, though, so I’m really glad to be here!”

But now that he is in Walford, Walkinshaw is wasting no time diving headfirst into the emotional chaos of Albert Square, and it all begins with his character’s complicated — and already controversial — relationship with Vicki Fowler.

A Love Born in Betrayal

Ross and Vicki’s relationship didn’t begin with hearts and flowers. In fact, it exploded onto the scene under a cloud of betrayal. Their passionate connection blindsided Vicki’s brother Spencer, leaving familial ties frayed and trust in tatters. So, can a relationship that began in secrecy ever find stability?

Walkinshaw believes it just might. “I think if you get together with someone the way Ross and Vicki did, you’ve got to really want it to risk so much,” he says. “A few people have compared them to Den and Angie — you know, rowing one minute and cuddling the next.”

That reference isn’t lost on long-time fans. Den and Angie Watts were a powerhouse of passion and dysfunction, and the shadow they cast over Vicki — Den’s daughter — adds another layer of generational drama. “I suppose that makes me Angie!” Walkinshaw jokes, but there’s a serious undercurrent beneath the quip. Like Den and Angie, Ross and Vicki may love deeply — but they also know how to wound each other in equal measure.

The Duality of Ross: Hero or Hustler?

While Ross may seem like a decent, loyal partner, early signs point to something far more complicated — and potentially dangerous.

“He’s very family-orientated,” Walkinshaw explains, comparing Ross to Fletch from Holby City. “But he’s also got a backbone and won’t be pushed around, like Smithy.”

What really sets Ross apart, though, is his unpredictability. On the surface, he’s the charming boyfriend trying to earn the approval of a wary community. But behind that smile, there’s a more desperate agenda at play. “We know that he has an ulterior motive,” Walkinshaw admits. “He’s on the hunt for some cash, and he’s not backwards in coming forwards.”

In a place like Walford, where ambition and desperation often go hand in hand, that kind of hunger can be lethal. Ross might care for Vicki — but what is he willing to sacrifice to get what he wants? Is Vicki simply a casualty of his scheme, or is she the reason he might try to change?

It’s a dangerous line he’s walking, and one misstep could shatter not just his budding relationship, but also the fragile ties Vicki has to her family — ties she’s only recently begun to rebuild.

Spencer’s Wrath and the Fallout Ahead

Vicki’s betrayal of her brother Spencer didn’t just ignite a family feud — it opened old wounds that may never heal. Spencer has long been Vicki’s protector, often stepping in when her impulsive nature led her astray. Ross’s arrival disrupts that dynamic completely, and tensions are only expected to rise.

With Spencer already suspicious of Ross’s motives, it won’t take much for a confrontation to erupt — and when it does, it’s likely to expose more than just hidden resentments. Spencer is fiercely loyal, and he won’t let Vicki be hurt without a fight.

But here’s where things get even more dangerous: if Spencer begins to dig into Ross’s past — and he almost certainly will — what will he find? Could Ross’s need for money be tied to something more sinister? A criminal past? A con? Or worse — ties to some of Walford’s most dangerous figures?

Whatever secrets Ross is hiding, they won’t stay buried for long. And when the truth comes out, the ripple effects could tear the Fowler family apart all over again.

A Bad Boy in the Making?

Throughout his career, Walkinshaw has played mostly noble characters — men with flaws, yes, but with fundamentally good hearts. But he’s ready for EastEnders to challenge that.

“I wouldn’t say no to playing a bad boy,” he says with a grin. “Whatever EastEnders throws at me, I will absolutely give it 100 per cent.”

And that’s what makes the character of Ross so fascinating. He’s not a cartoon villain — he’s layered, conflicted, and, at times, heartbreakingly sincere. Just when viewers might be ready to write him off, he’ll do something disarmingly kind. But those moments of vulnerability only make his darker tendencies all the more chilling.

Is Ross a man torn between love and survival, or is he playing a long con — manipulating Vicki’s heart to gain access to something much bigger?

What’s Next for Ross and Vicki?

The question on every fan’s lips: can Ross and Vicki survive the storm? Their chemistry is undeniable, but so is the baggage they’re carrying — betrayal, broken trust, and secrets that could explode at any moment.

Will Vicki choose love over loyalty to her brother? Can Ross prove he’s more than a smooth talker with a shady past? Or will their romance become another cautionary tale in the long, dramatic history of Albert Square?

One thing is certain: Ross’s arrival is only the beginning. His presence in Walford is set to unleash a chain reaction of conflict, revelation, and heartbreak — the kind that rewrites destinies and reshapes families.

For EastEnders fans, this marks the start of an electrifying new era — one filled with emotional landmines, shocking twists, and characters pushed to their breaking point.

So buckle up, Walford watchers. Ross has arrived, and nothing — and no one — is safe.

Stay tuned. The truth is coming… and it’s going to hit hard.