Episode 6867

Episode 6867 is the 6867th episode of the BBC soap opera EastEnders. It originally aired on 4 March 2024. The episode was the first of a two-part special set in Milton Keynes. In the episode, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) go there to visit Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer). They are soon introduced to a neglected young girl, Britney Wainwright (Lola Campbell). Whitney forms a bond with Britney and becomes increasingly concerned for her welfare and tries to help her.

The episode was part of the Whitney's exit storyline, with McGarty having announced her departure the previous year. The episode marked the return of Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson, who had not appeared in EastEnders since 2019. Palmer was excited to be reprising the role and McGarty enjoyed working with her again. The episode also featured the debut of Campbell's character Britney. McGarty teased that Britney's arrival and Whitney's desire to help her could cause trouble in her relationship with Zack. The end of the episode features a stunt as it results in Whitney being run over by a car after saving Britney. McGarty revealed that she loves to do stunts and often asks if she can do them herself. Despite being set in Milton Keynes, the episode was filmed in the London Borough of Barnet.

The episode received negative feedback from residents of Milton Keynes as they felt that it was an inaccurate and insulting portrayal of their city. Many fans expressed their disappointment with the depiction and remarked that they would complain to the BBC. The controversy also gained gained attention from the MP for Milton Keynes North, Ben Everitt, who was unhappy with the city's portrayal in the soap. Everitt believed that EastEnders should apologise for the negative depiction, and offered to host EastEnders producers so that they could see the best of the city, and suggested that they write another storyline about Milton Keynes. Everitt explained that he would always stand up for his city, and he also mentioned the depiction in a debate in the House of Commons. However, some viewers enjoyed the episode, with some believing that the depiction was partially realistic. Critics praised the return of Bianca, whilst fans were divided over Whitney's actions.