EASTENDERS' characters Kat and Alfie Moon are to leave Wal-ford temporarily to star in their own series set in Ireland.
The pair, played by Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie, will head across the Irish Sea in a six-part series created by EastEnders executive producer Dominic Tread-well-Collins.
In an official statement he said: "In the next few weeks on EastEnders, viewers will witness several huge twists for Kat and Alfie Moon that will change their lives forever.
"Now is the perfect time to take two of EastEnders' most beloved and enduring characters out of their comfort zone as they head to Ireland to search for answers to some very big questions.
"My team here are very excited about creating a whole new drama that stands apart from EastEnders while taking our style of storytelling to a place of stories, myth, secrets and immeasurable beauty."
Speaking about the series, Richie said: "Both Jessie and I are absolutely thrilled to be given this amazing opportunity. To have a whole drama focused around Kat and Alfie is a huge honour for us both and we just can't wait to start filming."
The series starts filming in the autumn and is due to be transmitted in 2016.
In 1997, the BBC soap caused controversy over three episodes filmed in Dublin.
Angry viewers complained that the episodes portrayed Irish people as "dirty, rude, and drunk" and resentful towards the English.
Viewers were also unhappy at the 'Oirish' nature of some of the scenes, which showed farm animals including donkeys walking down streets outside Dublin.