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, not least the recent exit of Shona McGarty as Whitney Dean after 16 years.

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 2024

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
• James Bye as Martin Fowler
• Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale
• Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell
• Natalie Cassidy as Sonia Fowler
• Thomas Law as Peter Beale
• Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
• Laila Morse as Mo Harris
• Jessie Wallace as Kat Mitchell
• Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
• Shane Ritchie as Alfie Moon
• Clay Milner Russell as Bobby Beale
• Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman
• Laurie Brett as Jane Beale
• Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
• Bobby Brazier as Freddie Slater
• Gillian Wright as Jean Slater
• Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell
• Matt Di Angelo as Dean Wicks
• 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 Peacock
• 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
• James Farrar as Zack Hudson
• Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe
• Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes
• Heather Peace as Eve 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
• Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar
• Jonny Freeman as Reiss Colwell
• 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
• Howard Saddler as Pastor Gideon Clayton
• Roland Manookian as Teddy Mitchell
• Elijah Holloway as Harry Mitchell
• Lewis Bridgeman as Barney Mitchell

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

ARRIVING

Ayesha (Laila Rouass)

When is Ayesha arriving? August 2024.

Footballers' Wives and Spooks star Laila Rouass is joining EastEnders in a guest role this summer.

The BBC One soap will be introducing Rouass in the guest role of Ayesha, a face from Suki's past whose return will impact the Panesar family, including Suki's dying evil ex Nish.

On joining the soap as the guest character, Rouass said: "I cannot tell you how excited I am to be in EastEnders! I was born in the East End and grew up there, and there was such a buzz when the show started. Even though I was little at the time, I can clearly remember the first episode and Doctor Legg arriving at the flat where Reg Cox had been murdered.

"I’ve also known Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar) for many years, so it was great to work with him again and to do scenes with Balvinder Sopal (Suki Panesar) and the rest of the Panesars as Ayesha reunites with them. This is a lifelong dream come true!"

Rouass has already filmed her scenes which will air in August.

DEPARTING

Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell)

When is Bobby Beale leaving? 2024.

Reports emerged on 15th April 2024 that Clay Milner Russell would leave EastEnders after five years on the BBC One soap.

The BBC later confirmed the news, who said to The Sun: "We can confirm that Clay will be leaving EastEnders later this year, and we wish him the best for the future.”

The publication went on to explain that the young actor was seeking new challenges away from EastEnders and that he wanted to play different types of roles.

In good news for fans, the door has reportedly been left open for Bobby (and Clay) to return in the future.

Will Bobby's girlfriend Anna Knight be heartbroken by his departure or will it be Bobby leaving with a broken heart?

The return of his adopted mother Jane and the memory of his sister Lucy look set to play a major role in his exit story.

Jane Beale (Laurie Brett)

When is Jane Beale leaving? 2024

Ian Beale's ex-wife and Bobby's adopted mother Jane Beale made a surprise return to the soap in July 2024.

However, it has been confirmed that Jane is only back for a short stint. Could she play a vital role in Bobby's exit storyline?

Actress Laurie Brett said of her short return: "It’s been so long since we last saw Jane that I was keen to know what the story would be to bring her back. So, I had a meeting with Chris Clenshaw (executive producer), and he laid out the story for me and why they’d love me to be a part of it. By the end of that chat, I was in.

"I was excited to work with Adam again, as well as Michelle and Clay. It was also great to be reunited with Thomas Law, who I’ve known since he was a child – although these days, I have to look up to speak to Tom, and I’m tall myself! It was just lovely."

Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo)

When is Dean Wicks leaving? Mid-2024.

Actor Matt Di Angelo has revealed that he has finished filming as villain Dean Wicks in EastEnders as the character is soon to go on trial for the murder of Keanu Taylor.

While Dean may be innocent of killing Keanu, he has escaped justice for countless other crimes, so could this be him finally getting his comeuppance?

Speaking to The Sun at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024, Di Angelo revealed: "There is a trial. I know the result of the trial, because we've filmed it already. I can tell you - but I won't because it would ruin the television."

The actor said Dean is "a fun character to play" but added that he can "handle a bit of him every six years or so, and then after a week you're like, 'OK enough of this'."

So, maybe this exit won't be quite as final as it appears...

RETURNING

Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman)

When is Chrissie Watts returning? Autumn 2024.

Tracy-Ann Oberman is set to reprise her classic role as murderous Chrissie Watts later this year for a short guest stint.

The character was last seen in 2005 after being convicted for the murder of husband "Dirty" Den Watts.

Tracy-Ann Oberman said about her return to EastEnders: "Chrissie Watts was such a great character to play – a victim or a villain.

"She is a real fan favourite, so when Chris Clenshaw asked me to come back and re-visit her and see what has happened in the last 19 years, I jumped at the chance. The scripts are fantastic and I hope the viewers enjoy her as much as I am enjoying playing her again."

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, added: "I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Tracy-Ann back to the iconic role of Chrissie Watts.

"Although the character hasn’t been seen on screen for almost 20 years, Chrissie is cemented in EastEnders’ rich history for her murder of Walford’s most infamous villain, and Sharon’s beloved father, Dirty Den."

David Wicks (Michael French)

When is David Wicks returning? Autumn 2024.

Walford icon David Wicks will return for a short stint on EastEnders later this year as actor Michael French reprises his role.

David is famously the son of Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement) and Pete Beale (Peter Dean), the half-brother of both Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Simon Wicks (Nick Berry), the former lover of Ian’s wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), and the father of fellow Walford icon Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and his children with former wife Lorraine Wicks (Jacqueline Leonard) – Joe (Paul Nicholls) and Karen Wicks.

In his most recent stint in Walford, David had a romantic reconciliation with Bianca’s mother and his childhood sweetheart Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) amid her journey with breast cancer and they became engaged, however, their romance broke down as their wedding fell apart.

Discussing his return as David Wicks after a decade away, actor Michael French said: “I feel honoured to be asked to reprise the role of David Wicks once again. It may only be a brief visit, but we know from his past that David never fails to create a lot of drama in a very short time.”

Meanwhile, executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: “David Wicks is undoubtedly one of EastEnders’ most beloved rogues, and we are thrilled to welcome the talented Michael French back to the legendary role as we lead up to the show’s 40th anniversary. David’s character was never shy of drama during his previous stints, and I can assure you this return will be no different.”

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 a year.

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 Shirley return before Dean leaves Walford for good?

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024?

The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2024.

• Ashton (Guest)
• Harold Martin (Guest)
• Sam Mitchell
• Karen Taylor (Guest)
• Keanu Taylor (Guest)
• 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)

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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