EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?

RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders in the coming months.

So who's in? Who's out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders.

EastEnders cast 2025

The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character's first appearance.

• Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Cotton
• Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts
• Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale
• Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler
• Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale
• Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell
• Paul Bradley as Nigel Bates
• Thomas Law as Peter Beale
• Karen Henthorn as Julie Bates
• Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
• Laila Morse as Mo Harris
• Jessie Wallace as Kat Moon
• Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater
• Nicholas Bailey as Dr. Anthony Trueman
• Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
• Shane Ritchie as Alfie Moon
• Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman
• Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
• Bobby Brazier as Freddie Slater
• Gillian Wright as Jean Slater
• Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell
• Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox
• Diane Parish as Denise Fox
• Grace as Janet Mitchell
• Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning
• Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown
• Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
• Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
• Pierre Moullier as Oscar Branning
• Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning
• Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell
• Tameka Empson as Kim Fox
• Lillia Turner as Lily Slater
• Frankie Day as Ricky Branning
• Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon
• Isabella Brown as Lexi Pearce
• Kellie Bright as Linda Carter
• Charlie Suff as Johnny Carter
• Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Knight
• Elliot Briffett as Bert Moon
• Cody Briffett as Ernie Moon
• Arayah Harris-Buckles as Pearl Fox
• Harry Farr as Ollie Carter
• Jake McNally as Louie Beale
• Rocco Brenner as Arthur Fowler
• Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Fox
• Isabelle Smith as Hope Fowler
• Tony Clay as Callum Highway
• Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar
• Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar-Unwin
• James Farrar as Zack Hudson
• Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe
• Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes
• Heather Peace as Eve Panesar-Unwin
• Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati
• Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes
• Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder "Nugget" Gulati
• Colin Salmon as George Knight
• Francesca Henry as Gina Knight
• Molly Rainford as Anna Knight
• Sophie Khan Levy as Priya Nandra-Hart
• Aaliyah James as Avani Nandra-Hart
• Micah Balfour as Junior Knight
• Roland Manookian as Teddy Mitchell
• Elijah Holloway as Harry Mitchell
• Lewis Bridgeman as Barney Mitchell
• Dayo Koleosho as Kojo Asare
• Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell
• Alex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall
• Max Murray as Joel Marshall
• Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu as Tobias "Okie" Okyere

And here are the changes to the cast coming soon...

DEPARTING

Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner)

When is Stacey Slater leaving? 2025.

Lacey Turner has been confirmed to be leaving EastEnders later this year.

The fan-favourite actress is set to take a break from the soap this year to focus on life outside the show, having made her debut as Stacey Slater in 2004.

Lacey told The Sun: "It’s time for myself and Stacey to take a rest and who knows what Stacey will get up to in her time away? Knowing Stacey, it will never be boring."

However, fans can expect Stacey to return...

An EastEnders spokeswoman told the paper: "We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year, but there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey’s return when Lacey decides the time is right."

RadioTimes.com has reached out to the BBC for additional comment on this story.

How will Stacey wave goodbye to Walford?

Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier)

When is Freddie Slater leaving? 2025.

Actor Bobby Brazier has quit his role as Freddie Slater after three years on the soap.

Brazier's departure was first reported in The Sun, with an EastEnders spokesperson confirming the news.

They told the publication: "We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future."

Since he started on the soap, Brazier's storylines have included Freddie's ADHD diagnosis, an upsetting reunion with his biological father Graham Foster, and almost killing Stacey's stalker Theo Hawthorne when defending his cousin.

Anna Knight (Molly Rainford)

When is Anna Knight leaving? 2025.

Despite having been absent in Walford of late, Anna Knight will be back in the soap soon - but not for long.

The BBC One soap has confirmed that Molly Rainford will be leaving the role of Anna as the character leaves Walford later this year.

“We can confirm that Molly Rainford will be leaving EastEnders later this year, and we wish her all the best for the future,” the BBC told RadioTimes.com in a statement.

We have no further details on her exit, but given that Freddie is also off soon, could the pair romantically reconcile and leave together?

Who is joining EastEnders?

At present, no new cast members have been confirmed or reported for EastEnders.

RETURNING

Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ)

When is Stuart Highway returning? Autumn 2025.

It has now been confirmed that Ricky Champ will reprise his role as Stuart Highway for a short stint in the Autumn.

The character was written out of the soap in 2022 as Stuart left Walford for a new life with wife Rainie and their baby away from the Square.

Now Stuart will return to join his younger brother Callum and say goodbye to his nasty father, Jonno Highway.

Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden)

When is Ben Mitchell returning? Autumn 2025.

Max Bowden is reprising his role as Ben Mitchell for a guest stint in EastEnders later this year, it has been confirmed.

The character was seen exiting the BBC One soap in early 2024 after the decision was made to write him out.

Previously, The Sun reported that new executive producer Ben Wadey has decided to bring Bowden back for a short stint, with the possibility that it could lead to a permanent return.

A source told the paper: "Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one. It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year."

Ben Mitchell is currently in prison for credit card fraud in the US but his husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay), surrogate brother Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), daughter Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown), dad Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), and mum Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) all remain in Walford.

Of course, a complication has arisen in Ben's absence: namely, husband Callum's affair with their friend Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff).

Now, Ben returns on release to support Callum at the funeral of father-in-law Jonno Highway - will Ben return to the US with his marriage in tatters?

Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ)

When is Stuart Highway returning? Autumn 2025.

Ricky Champ has been confirmed to be reprising his role as Stuart Highway for a guest stint this Autumn.

The character was last seen leaving Walford happily with wife Rainie (Tanya Franks) after being written out of the soap.

Now, Stuart will be back to support his younger brother Callum at the funeral of their father Jonno.

Max Branning (Jake Wood)

When is Max Branning returning? Autumn 2025.

It has finally been confirmed that Jake Wood is reprising his role as Max Branning later this year.

The character departed the BBC One soap in 2021, but has been mentioned heavily since and will now be making a comeback in the Autumn for a short stint before a full-time return later in the year.

On reprising his role, Jake Wood said: "I’m over the moon to be coming home to Walford. Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I’m sure he’ll be busy.

"I’m excited to see what he’s been up to, and what is next for the character, but if his last 15 years in the Square are anything to go by, I’m sure there will be plenty of chaos."

Wadey added on Max's return: "I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Jake Wood back to the role of Max Branning.

"Whilst his character has only been away from Albert Square for four years, Walford, and the lives of those who live in it, have changed immensely.

"Max has a lot of unfinished business, but whether he is welcomed by his family remains to be seen. However, with a past as chequered as Max’s, it’s fair to say that many Walford residents will not be pleased to see him, putting the Brannings back at the heart of the Square, and the drama, this year."

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2025?

The following character departed EastEnders in 2025.

• Nish Panesar
• Julie Bates (guest, voice cameo)
• Mr Lister (guest)
• Councillor Donald Barker (guest)
• Garry Hobbs (guest)
• Minty Peterson (guest)
• Peggy Mitchell (guest)
• Eric Mitchell (guest)
• Angie Watts (guest, cameo)
• Reiss Colwell
• Martin Fowler
• Grant Mitchell (guest)
• Brenda Collins (guest)
• Gaz (guest)
• Andy (guest)
• Ruby Allen
• Roman Allen
• Tom "Rocky" Cotton (guest)
• Terry Cant (guest)
• Bex Fowler (guest)
• Julia Fowler
• Bianca Jackson
• Sonia Fowler
• Felix Baker
• Bernadette Taylor

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024?

The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2024.

• Ashton (Guest)
• Harold Martin (Guest)
• Sam Mitchell
• Keanu Taylor (Guest, hallucination)
• Lucas Johnson (Guest)
• Ben Mitchell
• Gloria Knight (Guest)
• Eddie Knight (Guest)
• Keeley Wainwright (Guest)
• Britney Wainwright
• Dolly Dean-Hudson
• Whitney Dean
• Monique Knight (Guest)
• Xavier Knight (Guest)
• Karen Taylor (Guest)
• Stevie Mitchell
• Debbie Colwell (Guest)
• Ayesha Siddhu (Guest)
• Dean Wicks
• Chrissie Watts (Guest)
• Jake Moon (Guest)
• Jane Beale (Guest)
• Bobby Beale
• Pastor Gideon Clayton
• Lola Pearce-Brown (Guest)
• Joe Wicks (Guest)
• Holly (Guest)
• David Wicks (Guest)
• Micky Miller (Guest)
• Nancy Carter (Guest, fantasy)
• Lee Carter (Guest, fantasy)

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2023?

The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2023.

• DCI Samantha Keeble (Guest)
• Ricky Butcher (Guest)
• Scarlett Butcher
• Edward "Jed" Chadwick (Guest)
• Ryan Malloy (Guest)
• Dr Ash Kaur
• Vi Highway
• Shifty Shiv (Guest)
• Roxy Mitchell (Guest)
• Duncan Boyd (Guest)
• Lola Pearce-Brown
• Lauren Branning (Guest)
• Louie Beale (Guest)
• Finlay Baker
• Jo Cotton (Guest)
• Peggy Taylor (Guest)
• Lisa Fowler (Guest)
• Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb (Guest)
• Graham Foster (Guest)
• Dorian Gates (Guest)
• Nadine Keller (Guest)
• Theo Hawthorne
• Karen Taylor
• Mitch Baker
• Bailey Baker
• Mia Atkins
• Mackenzie Atkins
• Keanu Taylor
• Tom "Rocky" Cotton

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2022?

The following characters departed EastEnders in 2022.

• Iqra Ahmed
• Mila Marwa
• Kioni Marwa
• Gray Atkins
• Keegan Baker
• Tiffany Butcher
• Isaac Baptiste
• Aaron Monroe
• Nancy Carter
• Avery Baker
• Rainie Highway
• Roland Highway
• Stuart Highway
• Dana Monroe
• Frankie Lewis
• Dr Nina Gupta
• Kheerat Panesar
• Lofty Holloway (Guest)
• Mary Smith (Guest)
• Disa O'Brien (Guest)
• Ian Beale (Guest)
• Colin Russell (Guest)
• Barry Clark (Guest)
• Kirsty "Dotty" Cotton
• Jada Lennox
• Alyssa Lennox
• Mick Carter
• Janine Carter
• Shirley Carter

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.

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