East Enders

▪ British television program

      British television soap opera that debuted in 1985 on the British Broadcasting Corporation 1 (BBC1) network and soon became one of the most popular shows in the United Kingdom. The winner of a number of British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, the series has continued to enjoy a broad audience.

      East Enders concerns the stories and struggles of working-class families living in Walford, a fictional borough in London's East End. The real East End is the home largely of multigenerational and multicultural working-class families. Much of the show's action takes place in Albert Square, where most of the characters live, work, or spend time (often at the Queen Victoria Pub, owned by the Watts family). As in many other British soap operas, powerful female characters, large families, and the stark realities of working-class life factor heavily into East Enders. The characters possess, at best, average looks and are often struggling, but their story lines are augmented by elements of humour, emotional drama, and community solidarity. The Beales, Fowlers, Watts, and other families around the square each find themselves in the centre of one imbroglio or another that threatens both themselves and the larger community. These conflicts, such as troubled youth, adultery, and limited options, are typical to the soap genre; however, the show is unique for its diverse cast and its treatment of controversial topics.

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