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

We're finally in 2026 in EastEnders.

2025 saw some major exits, including the deaths of Nish Panesar and Martin Fowler, along with the departure of Stacey Slater.

Elsewhere, we experienced some major comebacks with the returns of Zoe Slater, Anthony Trueman (RIP), and Max Branning.

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 2026

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

• Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale
• 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
• Kim Medcalf as Sam 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
• Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
• Shane Ritchie as Alfie Moon
• Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman
• Gillian Wright as Jean Slater
• Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell
• Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox
• Diane Parish as Denise Fox
• Grace as Janet Mitchell
• Jake Wood as Max Branning
• Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Beale
• Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
• Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
• Pierre Counihan-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 Peacock
• Elliot Briffett as Bert Moon
• Cody Briffett as Ernie Moon
• Arayah Harris-Buckles as Pearl Fox
• Harry Farr as Ollie Carter
• Stephen Aaron-Sipple as Mark Fowler
• Jake McNally as Louie Beale
• Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Fox
• Tony Clay as Callum Highway
• Maylo Miller as Mica Fox
• Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar
• Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar-Unwin
• Arthur Gentleman as Albie Watts
• James Farrar as Zack Hudson
• Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe
• Lois Hawkins as Annie Carter
• 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
• Sophie Khan Levy as Priya Nandra-Hart
• Aaliyah James as Avani Nandra-Hart
• 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
• Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher
• Ronni Ancona as Bea Pollard
• Joshua Vaughn as Josh Goodwin

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

JOINING

Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughn)

When is Jasmine's brother apparently arriving? Early 2026

It has been reported that actor Joshua Vaughn will be joining the soap in the coming months as the twin brother of Jasmine Fisher and the long-lost son of Zoe Slater.

The Sun reports that the character will form part of a love triangle with his sister Jasmine and her on-off boyfriend Oscar Branning, meaning Oscar will be caught between the twin siblings.

A source told the publication, "This is going to be one of the hottest love triangles the soap world has ever seen.

"Oscar is happy with Jasmine, but when her twin arrives, the chemistry between them is something neither can ignore.

"It’s going to set temperatures soaring in Walford. But with Jasmine having bumped off her dad, Anthony Truman, at Christmas, the pair had better watch out."

The casting and the character's name were confirmed in February, following Jasmine's arrest, when Josh made a brief voice cameo.

DEPARTING

Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf)

When might Sam Mitchell be returning? Early 2026.

Kim Medcalf has reprised the role of Sam Mitchell for a short stint since December 2025.

The character returned following the discovery of a lump in her breast, which turned out to be breast cancer and required a lumpectomy.

Sam is now undergoing further tests and treatment, but will she decide to part on better terms with son Ricky Branning (Frankie Day) and brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden)?

The character appeared set to leave in February but decided to stay in Walford to continue her cancer treatment with her family at her side.

Radio Times still understands that Kim Medcalf is only back for a limited stint, but it remains to be seen when and how Sam will leave Walford.

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RETURNING

Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix)

When is Clare Bates returning? Spring 2026.

Hollyoaks star Gemma Bissix is reprising her first soap role as Clare Bates after 18 years this Spring.

The BBC One soap is bringing back Clare to reunite her with her estranged step-father Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) as part of his emotional long-running dementia storyline.

Initially introduced in 1993, Clare became Nigel's step-daughter when he married her mother, Debbie (Nicola Duffett), and, eventually, he became her sole guardian following Debbie's death in a traffic collision in 1995.

Clare later left Walford with Nigel and his new girlfriend Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn) and her son Josh Saunders (Jon Lee) for a new life in Scotland in 1998.

In 2008, Clare returned to Walford as a scheming maneater who ran rings around the men of Walford for seven months before fleeing the Square after stealing cash. During this stint, Clare revealed she was now estranged from Nigel.

Now Clare will be reunited with Nigel and Julie amid her stepfather's struggle with dementia.

On reprising the role, Bissix said: "It was a real pleasure to be asked to reprise the role of Clare for Nigel’s storyline. I was hoping to get the call, as I think the fans wanted EastEnders to revisit their relationship.

"Nigel and Clare were a formidable pairing in the 90’s with a very unique stepfather/stepdaughter relationship!"

She added: "It has been so great to reconnect with Paul and Karen after all these years, and it’s crazy how time felt like it had stopped when we did!

"I grew up on the set of EastEnders and essentially learnt my craft there, so it’s been a real full circle moment!

"Whilst it will be an emotional reunion, I hope the viewers will be pleased to see Clare and Nigel on screen together once again!"

Executive producer Ben Wadey noted: "We always knew we wanted to bring Clare Bates back to Walford as we continue Nigel’s storyline, and I’m delighted that Gemma said yes.

"The stepfather and daughter duo share a complicated history and have been estranged for many years, but it was essential for us to revisit this relationship as Nigel’s dementia progresses and the family start to consider his additional care needs."

Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp)

When is Grant Mitchell returning? Spring 2026.

Ross Kemp has been confirmed to be reprising his role as Grant Mitchell for a short stint this Spring as the character becomes involved in two big storylines.

Speaking about his comeback, Kemp said: "I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year.

"As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for me due to a close family connection in real life."

Executive producer Ben Wadey added, "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ross back once more to the legendary role of Grant.

"The Mitchells remain one of EastEnders’ defining dynasties, and we can’t wait to see them reunited again. As always when Grant is around, drama inevitably follows him…"

Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu)

When is Libby Fox returning? 2026.

Yes! Denise Fox's younger daughter, Libby Fox, will be back on Albert Square at some point in 2026, as she appeared in the 2027 flash-forward episode, once again played by Belinda Owusu.

The episode presents some potential brides for Max, which include Libby's older sister, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams), and even Denise herself, given that Jack was calling the bride and Denise's phone is one of the ones to ring - despite Denise being absent from the episode, having apparently walked out on Jack the night before.

Is the reason for Libby's reappearance that her sister or mother is getting married? We'll have to wait and see.

• Read More: 21 EastEnders questions we have following that epic Max Branning flashforward episode

WHO MAY BE RETURNING?

Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner)

When is Stacey Slater returning? TBC.

Lacey Turner took an extended break from the show recently, with Stacey departing for a new life in Brazil alongside her brother, Sean Slater, with her two youngest children, Arthur and Hope.

However, Turner has affirmed that she will return to the soap in the future, but no firm return date has been set.

So, expect to be without Stacey for a while yet!

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2026?

The following characters departed EastEnders in 2026.

• Nish Panesar (Guest)
• Dr Anthony Trueman
• Joel Marshall
• Jake Moon (Guest)
• Chrissie Watts (Guest)

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2025?

The following character departed EastEnders in 2025.

• Nish Panesar
• Mr Lister (guest)
• Councillor Donald Barker (guest)
• Garry Hobbs (guest)
• Minty Peterson (guest)
• Peggy Mitchell (guest)
• Eric Mitchell (guest)
• Angie Watts (guest)
• 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
• Jay Brown
• Jonno Highway (Guest)
• Hope Fowler
• Arthur Fowler, Jr.
• Stacey Slater
• Stuart Highway (Guest)
• Ben Mitchell (Guest)
• Norma Unwin (Guest)
• Tobias "Okie" Okyere
• Junior Knight
• Anna Knight
• Freddie Slater
• Teddy Mitchell
• Barry Evans (Guest)
• Debbie Bates (Guest)
• Pat Evans (Guest)

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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