Although we've had a good year of EastEnders in terms of storylines (fantastic job, DTC), I can't help but feel the characters we've been given aren't up to standards.

I think 2015 needs to bring in some strong families and characters that are likely to become EastEnders phenomena, and sadly, I don't think the likes of Aleks Shirovs, Donna Yates and Emma Summerhayes has brought along that potential. EastEnders used to be all about family once and now the majority of the cast are filled with odd-pot characters and the lousy remains of the Mitchell family. In my opinion, the square needs spicing up next year by adding in characters that will be given a fair amount of coverage.

By doing this, I'd say it'll be good to send some characters away that in their time on the square just haven't delivered. I'm not suggesting the likes of Aleks, Donna and Dexter who still have potential, but perhaps those who have ran their course. I mean let's be honest, Dexter isn't even on a course yet.

It would be better for Shirley to have a stake through the heart rather than continually giving her fresh blood.

To be honest, I think this critique is a couple of years out of date. Back then, I too was getting sick of the broken families - characters at loose ends. But it's actually gotten an awful lot better in just the past year.

The Mitchell's are more fleshed out than they've been since Peggy's exit, with Phil married and Ben & Ronnie back on the scene. Kat and Alfie were put back together again and given an even bigger brood. A new older couple in Pam and Les have been introduced. Martin's returning to link up with Sonia and set up another family unit. And of course, the single biggest cast change DTC has made has seen a massive new extended family placed right at the heart of the show in the Queen Vic.

That's all in just the last twelve months. You might not like some of the characters involved, but you can't deny the direction of travel has certainly been towards more family. You can always pick out "odd pot" characters (which, by the way, play an important role) but they're nowhere near as dominant as they were a couple of years back.

Uneeded comment really. I'm glad Shirley finally has a family.

I quite like the core families atm (Cottons, Mitchells, Carters, Beales, Slater/Moons, Masoods and so on). I would like to see the Fox family built up and Paul Coker and Andy cast. I think the rest are good as supporting characters and don't necessarily need families brought in around them unless needed for a s/l*.EastEnders has a strong cast at the moment and I think they should focus on the current characters.

*Paul for the upcoming s/l with Nick and the Cokers involvment, Andy for the Mick reveal and family for Denise during her and Patricks s/l. I'd like to see Kim back.

Characters who have ran their course like fatboy, whitney, tamwar, billy should go. Cora and dexter should go (as much as I like Cora she has no place I the show without her daughters).
Tosh, alfie, dean should leave at the en of their Storylines.

I think donna really need expanding more then anyone else so I reckon someone should be brought in for her. Paul Coker should come into the show. Zsa zsa should return for Tina once the abuse story gets into full swing). Ada and/or daphne should be brought in for Denise. Zainab should come back for the masoods.

I really don't see the benefit of adding more and more characters now. Surely bringing in people to make yet another "family" unit will then lead to complaints about diluted storylines and underused existing characters?

I think the cast is fine other than the need for more black people.

They can solve that by extending the Fox Family- bring in Ada & Daphne.

The cast is big enough and they already have people who are just 'there'

DTC has introduced a lot of fresh blood for eg. the Carters, Charlie Cotton, Aleks Shirovs, Emma Summerhayes. What needs to happen is modernisation of the show so that it is a better reflection of 21st century East London. That means demographic change: tech entrepeneurs, Bangladeshi characters, West African characters, Somali characters, more hipsters, more MCLE-speaking characters. That would spice things up and make EastEnders a lot more relevant.

Absolutely NO, new characters ARE NOT needed, we've had so many this past year, some have been GREAT, others have been AWFUL!

Axe list:

Tamwar
Dexter
Fatboy
Donna
Les
Pam
Aleks
Nancy
Lee
Abi
Summerhayes
Tosh

THEN, I suppose we could have some new characters, but vibrant ones this time, ones we love or love to hate! I don't think another family is needed though tbf, we've just had the Carter's, don't forget!

They could bring Naima Jeffery back!

My point exactly! I generally think my axe list is relevant, but I doubt anyone would be majorly dissappinted by the characters I named leaving, they do NOTHING for the show

I agree with what you say about the storylines, they're good and enjoyable!

But the carter dominance, the deadwood, and the cheesy karaoke nights etc... Is what I'm not enjoying about the current EastEnders, and the younger cast is way too big! It's a shame because it's bringing down some really good stuff!

DTC seriously needs to axe Dexter & FatBoy now.

Les & Pam are fab plus I do see DTC casting their Grandson Paul in the not too distance future to build up their backstory.

Tosh, aleks and Emma and nick will probably leave at the end of their Storylines tbh as they were more brought on for certain stories.
Then dexter, fatboy, tamwar and whitney should be axed
Alfie should also leave at the end of his storyline as linda should go on a break and stay with Elaine for a while.
Pam,donna and les should be developed more. Donna has potentional to become the new janine with her b***hiness. Lee needs to go back to his arrival roots. Nancy should have a big storyline as should johnny.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of the dark direction abi is taking

Donna is awful.

Donna does not have a 1% of Janine
Wish Janine came back

I'd like to see Chelsea back for Denise

I think DTC will gauge teh audience with Aleks. If he proves popular I reckon he'll survive having his balls ripped off and Ronnie wearing them as earrings at her wedding to Charlie.

If they keep him on I think they will keep him and Roxy as a comedy couple.

Don't stop there...

Both Best & Norwood joined EE at the start of a year so their contracts are up for renewal.

The next Janine?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Haha, I don't think so! Janine should come back infact and roll her down the same cliff she pushed Barry off... I don't think we agree on a lot of things about the cast Joe I mean you said Phil Mitchell should be dead, you just can't say that!

DTC may aswell give me the keys to his office, their contracts would be ripped up straight away.

This.