EastEnders: E20 - Preview of EastEnders' new online spin-off

EastEnders is set to venture beyond the television screen as Walford takes a big step into the wider world of the web with its first online spin-off series, EastEnders: E20.

> Find out E20 spoilers in our episode guide.

> Read our interview with Ricky Norwood, who plays Fatboy.


When does the online spin-off launch?

BBC Vision Multiplatform has commissioned the show to go live in January 2010 in the run-up to EastEnders celebrating its 25th anniversary on February 19th.

Who's it written by?

As part of the BBC's drive to develop and nurture new talent, EastEnders: E20 has been written by 13 new London writers aged between 17 and 22 who attended a summer school where they created and wrote the online drama.

Which characters are in it?

The online series will follow four new teenage characters who arrive in Albert Square, each searching for an escape from their regular lives: Fatboy (Ricky Norwood), Leon Small (Sam Attwater), Mercy Olubunmi (Bunmi Mojekwu) and Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny). Squatting together in 89b George Street the secrets that drove them from home are slowly revealed.

Fatboy has invented all manner of personas since he was seven years old in an attempt to avoid being Arthur Chubb (his real name). His current and most sustained self-creation is Fatboy.

Leon is sexy and effortlessly cool but with a short fuse and a lack of respect for those in authority. Leon's mum died when he was young and he takes a great deal of responsibility for his alcoholic father. He is a dedicated boxer and takes pride in the fact that in the ring "no one touches the face".

Mercy Olubunmi lives with her strict grandmother, from whom she is harbouring a huge secret. Mercy has always been a good girl, but when her parents head back to Nigeria she feels abandoned.

Zsa Zsa is a beautiful, funky and outspoken tomboy, very similar to her Auntie Shirley (Linda Henry). Zsa Zsa's very bright but she likes to think she doesn't need help from anyone.

Will there be crossovers with the main show?

EastEnders: E20 will stand alone in terms of its storylines so that it can be enjoyed by viewers unfamiliar with EastEnders, but there will be crossover treats for regular fans too both in the online series and the BBC One programme.

Will there be other online extras too?

The writers are also creating extra online material for the EastEnders: E20 characters, including video blogs and behind-the-scenes footage.