EastEnders star Laura Doddington has teased a big struggle for Nicola Mitchell, claiming she will soon be “pushed to the edge”.

Since her arrival in Walford last November, Nicola (played by Doddington) has brought the fiery personality synonymous with the Mitchell clan. She quickly ruffled the feathers of her ex-husband Teddy Mitchell and made an enemy of his new girlfriend Sharon Watts.

In a shocking turn of events, it was recently revealed that Sharon’s brother Zack Hudson was the real father of Nicola’s teenage son Barney.

Zack was determined to tell Teddy the truth but Nicola warned him that her ex-husband was a cold-blooded killer, who was responsible for the disappearance of Shireen Bashar – their son Harry’s girlfriend.

Next week’s episodes see Shireen’s brother Asad arrive on the Square, accusing Teddy of her murder. Harry, who was previously in the frame for Shireen’s murder, publicly defends his dad, but later begs him for the truth.

Meanwhile, Nicola visits a mystery man called Benji and asks him where Shireen is, suggesting she knows more than she is letting on. She is also suspiciously opposed to Junior Knight’s plans to redevelop the local area. Could the two be linked?

Addressing the upcoming scenes, Doddington described her character as “a woman pushed to the edge”, teasing more drama ahead for Nicola. “She’s tested on how far love, manipulation, and lying can get her.”

Related: EastEnders reveals “huge” new story for three teenagers in advanced spoilers

“One thing I’ve discovered playing the character recently is that carrying these secrets around and watching her son suffer as a consequence has been harder on her than she ever thought.”

The actor shared that Nicola would “go to any lengths” to protect her sons, adding: “but equally, in protecting them she is also protecting herself. In Nicola’s head, she will do anything to make sure that her boys aren’t hurt.”

Doddington also revealed how “terrified” Nicola would be if Teddy discovered the truth about Barney. She added: “It’s gone on for 16 years so the lie is fully established, and so 16 years of hard work comes crumbling down if the secret comes out.”