Actor Toby-Alexander Smith recently reflected on his time filming alongside Joan Collins for the movie A Murder Between Friends. The 35-year-old performer also weighed in on rumors that his infamous EastEnders character, Gray Atkins, could return to the screen.

The 93-year-old dame's masterclass in professionalism

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Toby-Alexander Smith described his experience working with the 93-year-old Joan Collins as "amazing and iconic." Smith noted that Collins, who co-produced the film and stars as the showbiz sleuth Francesca Carlyle, maintained a commanding presence on set and possessed a level of preparation that surpassed the rest of the cast.

Beyond her gravitas, Joan Collins provided the younger actor with a set of fundamental career guidelines. According to The Daily Mail, Collins emphasized the importance of "old school professionalism," which specifically included the discipline of arriving on time and having lines fully memorized. Smith admitted that while such advice may seem clichéd, the reality of the modern industry is that many actors fail to meet these basic standards, making such discipline a competitive advantage.

A June 15 digital debut for A Murder Between Friends

The collaboration between Toby-Alexander Smith and Joan Collins will reach audiences via digital platforms on June 15. The film, A Murder Between Friends, utilizes a classic whodunit structure, centering on a group of six old friends who visit a sprawling countryside estate. The estate belongs to a celebrity TV true-crime star who serves as the group's hostess.

The narrative tension peaks when one of the guests is murdered under mysterious circumstances. the survivors must rely on the expertise of the celebrity hostess to identify the killer among them before another strike occurs. This project marks a shift for Smith,moving from the high-intensity drama of soap operas to a stylized mystery format.

The psychological toll of Gray Atkins' four-year prison stint

While Smith is moving forward with film projects, his legacy in Walford remains a point of intense fan speculation. Toby-Alexander Smith first entered the world of EastEnders in 2019, eventually evolving into one of the show's most hated antagonists. His character, Gray Atkins, was responsible for the murders of three residents: his wife Chantelle, Tina Carter, and Kush Kazemi.

The domestic abuse storyline involving Chantelle reached its peak in September 2020, and the character's reign of terror ended with an arrest in March 2022. This history provides a grim backdrop for any potential return; the character's trajectory from a respected professional to a triple murderer creates a complex psychological profile that Smith believes would be "fascinating" to explore after four years of incarceration.

Unfinished business with Chelsea Fox and Jordan

Speculation regarding a comeback has been fueled by reports from The Sun, which claims that a return for Gray Atkins would be "explosive." The reported storyline would center on Gray's unresolved conflicts in Walford, specifically involving his son, Jordan,and his estranged second wife, Chelsea Fox.

However, several critical details remain unverified. While a source told The Sun that the return is imminent, neither the BBC nor the EastEnders production team has officially confirmed the casting. It remains unclear whether the character would return as a reformed man or a more dangerous version of the villain fans remember from 2022. Smith himself has remained cautious, stating "never say never," but stopping short of a definitive confirmation.