It’s been one hell of a busy time in Walford, with the big 40th Anniversary celebrations sparking plenty of comings and goings in EastEnders over the last year.
Just last month we welcomed back Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) to Walford after a 20 year absence, only for her to dart off to Barcelona three episodes later. But this isn’t the last we’ve seen of her!
This came months after high-profile returns such as Ross Kemp’s Grant Mitchell and a shock cameo from Anita Dobson as original Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts.
We also recently said goodbye to Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison) and Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris), who left Albert Square together in the back of a cab.
Although the big 40th week is now over, there are still set to be more faces popping in and out of Albert Square in the coming months.
Here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving and arriving in EastEnders…
EASTENDERS CAST RETURNS
Zoe Slater
Show legend Michelle Ryan will return full time as Zoe Slater later in the year.
We were treated to a brief stint last month, when she was shown to have fallen on hard times and was desperate for cash. After telling some porkies to cousin Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and stepfather Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), she fled London.
The actress is already filming scenes, meaning that her big comeback is bound to be imminent.
And we can’t wait!
When is Zoe Slater returning to EastEnders? This summer.
Max Branning
It was reported in May that love rat Max would be heading back to Albert Square after four years, with EastEnders officially confirming his return earlier this month.
The last time we saw him, Max decided to call time on his life in Walford to join daughter Lauren and grandson Louie in New Zealand.
It later transpired that Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) – who he had an affair with the previous year – was pregnant with their daughter Annie.
He certainly has a lot to catch up on!
When is Max Branning returning to EastEnders? Later this year.
Ben Mitchell
Ben Mitchell is set to return to Walford with actor Max Bowden reprising his role after just one year away.
It was confirmed in late 2023 that Max would be leaving the show, with his final scenes airing in March 2024.
His exit storyline saw Ben jailed shortly after he was arrested for committing fraud during a trip to the US.
The mechanic shared a final heart-to-heart with husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) while behind bars before being extradited back to America, where he has been serving his sentence.
‘Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one,’ a source told The Sun. ‘It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.’
When is Ben Mitchell returning to EastEnders? Later this year.
Sharon Watts
Letitia Dean is currently on a break from the BBC soap.
Sharon was grappling with the aftermath of her affair with Grant Mitchell – which had been realised by his brother Phil – when her half-sister Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) arrived from Australia.
Phil had hopes of reuniting with her, but that idea was now blown out of the water.
It explained that she had gone to stay with Jada Lennox (Kelsey Calladine-Smith) as she ‘can’t face’ the upset she felt for Martin.
As viewers of the BBC One soap will remember, Jada is the ex-partner of Sharon’s late son Denny (Bleu Landau), and mother of her granddaughter Alyssa.
Extending her break, she is now staying with old pal Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully).
When is Sharon Watts returning to EastEnders? Currently unknown.
Lily Slater
It has been a tough year for Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) after losing father-figure Martin while raising daughter Charli.
Following Martin’s death and mum Stacey’s struggle with her grief, Lily went to stay with dad Ryan.
This exit was to facilitate actress Lillia Turner taking her exams.
When is Lily Slater returning to EastEnders? Currently unknown.
Another big return!
Kate Oates, the Beeb’s Head of Continuing Drama has confirmed that another familiar face is on their way back to Walford.
They will follow in the footsteps of Bianca Jackson, David Wicks (Michael French) and Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), who have all returned – alongside many other names – over the last year.
‘If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed, because there’s potentially one on the cards’ she said.
‘There are some really big stories coming up and if it’s a return you’re after, then you might be interested in what’s on the horizon.’
But who could it be?
EASTENDERS CAST DEPARTURES
Stacey Slater
Stacey Slater actress Lacey Turner is currently on semi-maternity leave from the soap after welcoming her third child – a daughter called Gipsy – in January.
Lacey returned to the show’s studios at Elstree just a month after giving birth for a spectacular live episode, where she delivered a powerhouse performance during Martin’s final moments.
It was later confirmed that Lacey will bow out of the role later in 2025.
A spokesperson confirmed that the door would be left open for the much-loved Walford local to return one day: ‘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.’
She made a surprise return last week to coincide with Zoe’s reappearance, though has took the decision to stay away for a little while longer.
When is Stacey Slater leaving EastEnders? Later in 2025.
Freddie Slater
After four years on Albert Square, Bobby Brazier is set to leave Freddie Slater behind, bowing out later this year.
An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed to Metro: ‘We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.’
The actor, 22, is reportedly looking to pursue other projects.
When is Freddie Slater leaving EastEnders? Later in 2025.
Who is in the EastEnders 2025 cast?
The present cast of EastEnders is made up of:
- Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale
- Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale
- Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts
- Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale
- Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell
- Thomas Law as Peter Beale
- Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
- Jessie Wallace as Kat Slater
- Laila Morse as Mo Slater
- Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
- Shane Richie 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
- Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning
- Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown
- Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
- Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
- Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning
- Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell
- Tameka Empson as Kim Fox
- Lillia Turner as Lily Slater
- Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon
- Kellie Bright as Linda Carter
- Charlie Suff as Johnny Carter
- Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Peacock
- 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 Howey Danes
- Heather Peace as Eve Unwin
- Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati
- Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes
- Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder ‘Nugget’ Gulati
- Colin Salmon as George Knight
- Molly Rainford as Anna Knight
- Francesca Henry as Gina 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
- Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler
- Alex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall
- Max Murray as Joel Marshall
- Grace as Janet Mitchell
- Frankie Day as Ricky Branning
- Isabella Brown as Lexi Pierce
- Elliot and Cody Briffett as Bert and Ernie Moon
- Arayah Harris-Buckle as Pearl Fox
- Jake McNally as Louie Beale
- Harry Farr as Ollie Carter
- Rocco Brenner as Arthur Fowler
- Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Dawkins
- Isabelle Smith as Hope Fowler
- Maylo Miller as Mica Fox
- Arthur Gentleman as Albie Watts
- Jane Slaughter as Tracey
- Ulric Browne as Winston
- Liz Sweet as Marie Evans
- Ben Champniss as Shrimpy
Anna Knight
Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) is set to depart the show later this year after a two-year stint.
A spokesperson told Metro: ‘We can confirm that Molly Rainford will be leaving EastEnders later this year, and we wish her all the best for the future.’
Anna and Freddie have had a complicated relationship during their time on the show, though it is yet to be seen if their exits will coincide with each other…
When is Anna Knight leaving EastEnders? Later in 2025.
Nigel Bates
There was a huge surprise for 90s EastEnders fans back in December when Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) made an unexpected comeback, 26 years after his last appearance.
Since his return, he has supported old school friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) through his mental health crisis, while also dealing with the fact he has been diagnosed with young-onset dementia himself.
While Nigel has been a welcome addition to the Square, actor Paul is only back temporarily – although it is not yet known how long his stint is set to last for.
