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
• Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
• Laila Morse as Mo Harris
• Jessie Wallace as Kat Slater
• 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
• Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning
• Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
• 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
• Clair Norris as Bernadette Taylor
• 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
• Matthew Morrison as Felix Baker/Tara Misu
• 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

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

DEPARTING

Felix Baker (Matthew Morrison)

When is Felix Baker leaving? Mid-2025.

EastEnders has confirmed that Felix Baker is being written out of the soap after three years of Matthew Morrison in the role of the groundbreaking character.

Felix and his drag persona Tara Misu have been the first regular character in the soap to be a drag queen.

The character was introduced as a relative of Mitch Baker in 2022 alongside his father, Avery, and brother, Finlay, with Avery swiftly being killed off and Finlay being written out of the soap after a year in Walford.

Unfortunately, Felix has not been given much of a storyline aside from his job managing The Albert, a memorable showdown with Phil Mitchell, and supporting friends Chelsea Fox and relative Bernadette Taylor.

A source told The Sun: "It’s never an easy decision for bosses when they have to make the decision for a character to leave.

“Matthew has been great, but bosses felt the time was right to say goodbye to Felix."

A BBC spokesperson confirmed: "We can confirm that Matthew will be leaving EastEnders later in the year. We wish him all the best for the future."

In the run-up to his exit from the soap, the show is exploring a potential romance between Felix and Johnny Carter.

Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris)

When is Bernadette Taylor leaving? 2025.

Clair Norris has been confirmed to be being written out of her role as Bernadette Taylor in EastEnders.

“We can confirm that Clair will be leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish her all the best for the future," a BBC spokesperson told RadioTimes.com.

The news of Bernie's exit comes following new executive producer Ben Wadey taking over as the boss of the soap.

Bernie is the last of the Taylor clan left on the Square, but was recently given legal power over the inheritance of the late Nish Panesar to manage for his grandchildren. Will Bernie leave Walford with more money than when she arrived?

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.

Who is joining EastEnders?

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

REPORTEDLY RETURNING

Max Branning (Jake Wood)

When is Max Branning reportedly returning? 2025.

It's been a long time coming but it appears that Walford legend Max Branning is set to make a return to EastEnders later this year.

The Sun reports that actor Jake Wood will reprise the role of Max after last being seen in the soap back in 2021.

A source told the paper: "Jake’s return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show.

"It’ll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. Bosses are excited about what his character’s reappearance means for spicing up the plots."

The BBC declined to comment on the report when approached by RadioTimes.com.

Max was last seen fleeing Walford after failing to win Linda Carter's heart following their extramarital affair as she chose husband Mick Carter.

Since his exit, Max has been mentioned multiple times, having taken back his granddaughter Abi Branning Jr. and falling out with daughter Lauren Branning before her return when he repeated history by sleeping with her best friend.

Unbeknownst to Max, he has another daughter in Walford in the form of Linda's young daughter, Annie Carter.

Plus, will Max see old flame Stacey before she departs Walford?

Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden)

When is Ben Mitchell reportedly returning? 2025.

Max Bowden is reportedly reprising his role as Ben Mitchell for a guest stint in EastEnders later this year.

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

Now, The Sun reports 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."

The BBC declined to comment when approached by RadioTimes.com, while a representative of Bowden has been approached for comment.

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.

Who else could return?

Shirley Carter (Linda Henry)

When is Shirley Carter returning to EastEnders? TBC.

EastEnders fan-favourite Shirley Carter made a surprise departure from Walford just after Christmas in 2022 following the apparent death of her son Mick Carter.

Deciding that there was nothing left for her in Walford, Shirley walked out of the Square with Lady Di the dog to stay with daughter Carly Wicks and her family, having said goodbye to friends Jean Slater and Denise Fox.

We then heard of Shirley in February 2023 when we learned that she had also reunited with her previously estranged son Dean Wicks off-screen, the man who had raped Mick's true love, Linda Carter.

When Dean made his horrific return on Halloween, he claimed that Shirley had experienced a mental breakdown and had been institutionalised and after Linda wasn't in contact with her, changed her number and wanted nothing to do with her.

Linda was distrustful of Dean's claims but was unable to get through to Shirley, meaning her fate remains mysterious.

Actress Linda Henry is taking an extended break from the show and has been off our screens for over two years. Since then, Shirley's son Dean finally admitted that he raped Linda Carter back in 2014 and has now been sentenced to nine years in prison.

However, the BBC confirmed to RadioTimes.com at the time of her exit that Shirley had not left the soap for good and would return.

Chris Clenshaw also told us in Autumn 2023: "So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show.

"But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick’s disappearance, it won't have been the last you see of her. I can say that for sure."

Will we ever see Shirley Carter again?

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

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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