EastEnders is set to begin a dark new storyline next week as Ryder struggles to tell his parents that he is dating another man — while his father Ned’s increasingly controlling behaviour leaves him terrified of coming out.
Ryder has been quietly coming to terms with his sexuality and is now dating another man, but telling his family is proving to be a far more daunting prospect.
While Ryder eventually finds the courage to confide in his aunt Nicola Mitchell, played by Laura Doddington, it quickly becomes apparent why he is so frightened about being honest with his parents.
His biggest fear is his dad Ned, played by Jamie Bamber.
A former military man with strong ideas about how his family should behave, Ned is already showing signs of being controlling. As Ryder prepares to tell his mum Gemma Hawkins, played by Patricia Potter, he has no idea that Ned has overheard his plans.
What Ned does next will leave Ryder even more frightened about coming out.
Ryder turns to Nicola for support
Ryder’s journey begins with him opening up to Nicola about his relationship with another man.
Although Ryder wants to be honest about who he is, he remains deeply anxious about how his parents will react. His fears become even clearer when Nicola learns about the difficulties a former football teammate experienced after coming out.
The revelation helps Nicola understand why Ryder is struggling to take that final step.
The pair later have another emotional conversation, with Ryder talking more openly about the man he is dating and admitting that he is worried about the influence Ned has over his life.
Nicola encourages her nephew to speak to his mum, giving Ryder the confidence to finally consider telling Gemma.
But there is a problem.
Ned has been listening.
And rather than allowing his son to make his own decision, Ned takes matters into his own hands.
Jamie Bamber’s Ned reveals his darker side
The storyline will give EastEnders viewers a much more disturbing look at Ned, with Jamie Bamber’s character beginning to emerge as a controlling and potentially dangerous presence within the family.
Ned’s actions towards Ryder are particularly troubling because Ryder is already vulnerable and struggling to reconcile his identity with his fear of rejection.
Rather than offering his son support, Ned attempts to control the situation and pressure Ryder into conforming to his expectations.
It is a stark demonstration of just how far Ned is prepared to go to maintain control over those around him.
And Ryder’s ordeal is only part of Ned’s growing web of manipulation.
Ned has secrets across Walford
Ned’s darker nature has already been exposed through his connection to Nicola’s past.
Earlier this month, viewers learned that Ned helped Nicola cover up the murder of her abusive father more than 20 years ago.
Since buying into Nicola’s struggling local bar, Ned has repeatedly used that secret to unsettle and intimidate her, reminding her that he knows exactly what she has done.
Now, he has found another way to exert control — this time over Mark Fowler Jr, played by Stephen Aaron-Sipple.
Ned accidentally discovers Mark’s affair with Lauren Branning, played by Jacqueline Jossa, and wastes little time turning the secret into leverage.
With Lauren desperate to prevent the affair from being exposed, Mark finds himself under increasing pressure to do whatever Ned demands.
That leaves Mark facing a terrifying dilemma as Ned’s demands become increasingly brutal.
A new family with plenty of secrets
The arrival of Ryder, Ned, Gemma and their wider connections has introduced another complicated family dynamic to Albert Square.
Laura Doddington’s Nicola has quickly become an important link between the newcomers and the established Walford residents, while Patricia Potter plays Ryder’s mum Gemma.
Jamie Bamber, meanwhile, has brought a very different energy to the Square as Ned — a character who initially appears to be a confident and authoritative family man but is increasingly revealing a much more sinister side.
His storylines with Ryder, Nicola and Mark are now beginning to overlap, creating a growing sense that Ned’s secrets and manipulations could have consequences across Walford.
For Ryder, however, the immediate issue is much more personal.
He simply wants to be able to tell his parents the truth about who he is and the person he is dating.
Instead, Ned’s reaction threatens to turn what should be a deeply personal and emotional conversation into something much more frightening.
As EastEnders begins this extended storyline next week, viewers will see just how far Ned is prepared to go to keep control of his family — and what happens when Ryder finally begins to push back.
Watch EastEnders on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.