Toby-Alexander Smith, best known for playing Gray Atkins on EastEnders, recently discussed his two‑week shoot with Joan Collins on the murder‑mystery film A Murder Between Friends. While lauding Collins’s professionalism, he also addressed swirling rumors about a possible return to the soap after his character’s 2022 prison sentence.

Joan Collins’s “tour de force” performance on a two‑week shoot

Smith told The Daily Mail that the 93‑year‑old actress owned every scene, knowing her lines better than anyone and commanding the set with “gravitas”. He called her a “formidable woman” who still shares stories from her decades‑long career, making the collaboration a “career highlight”.

According to the interview, Collins’s advice was simple yet timeless: be punctual, know your lines, and respect set etiquette. smith echoed that “old‑school values” are the backbone of a lasting acting career.

Plot details of A Murder Between Friends set for June 15 digital release

The film follows six old friends who gather at a celebrity true‑crime star’s countryside estate,only for one to be found dead after a night of celebration. The remaining guests turn to their hostess, Francesca Carlyle—played by Collins, who also co‑produced the movie—to solve the murder before another victim falls.

Gray Atkins’s prison saga and the “never say never” comeback hint

Smith’s character was jailed in March 2022 for the murders of his wife Chantelle, Tina Carter and Kush Kazemi. In the same interview, Smith said nothing is confirmed about a return, but he finds “the psychological implications of four years in prison intriguing” and left the possibility open with a “never say never” comment.

Reports suggest a dramatic re‑entry could involve his estranged second wife Chelsea Fox and their son Jordan, potentially igniting a major new storyline for the BBC soap.

Who will confirm the next move for Gray Atkins?

The BBC has been contacted for comment, and as of now no official statement has been released. Until the network speaks, fans must rely on Smith’s hints and industry speculation.

Open questions: Will Collins co‑produce another thriller, and when will the BBC decide?

Two specific uncertainties remain: whether Joan Collins will take on further production roles after this film,and the exact timing of any decision by the BBC regarding Gray Atkins’s return . both points are still unverified.