All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026

There’s changes afoot! (Picture: BBC/Shutterstock) We’re over halfway through 2026 now, and we’ve already seen plenty of cast changes in EastEnders, and there’s still more to come! So far, we’ve witnessed the returns of twisted incel Joel Marshall (Max Murray) and the Queen of Walford, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) while we anticipate the comeback of EastEnders’ biggest ever bitch Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) and classic bad boy, Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) and his beloved sister, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). We’ve also seen the debut of Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan), the twin brother of Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and hotly anticipate the arrival of both Nicola Mitchell’s (Laura Doddington), family and Denise Fox’s (Diane Parish) half brother and niece. With the debuts and returns, we’ve also had to say heart-breaking goodbyes to loveable Nigel (Paul Bradley) and his wife Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn), alongside creepy Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona) and only-just-returned soap iconZoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). We’ll also be saying goodbye to the beloved Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and her son, Johnny (Charlie Suff), tortured bad boy Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) and the truly electric Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) for good, while both Kat and Alfie Moon (Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie) will both be taking temporary breaks. With things constantly fluctuating in Walford, here’s what we currently know about who is returning, arriving and leaving in EastEnders… EastEnders cast returns Stacey Slater Stacey will be back (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron) Our Stace’ left Walford for a new life in Brazil after realising that she’d never escape the ghost of ex-husband and true love, Martin Fowler (James Bye) while remaining in Albert Square. Though hearts across the nation broke when Stacey Slater departed, actress Lacey Turner was quick to reassure viewers that they wouldn’t have to miss her for too long and that she’d definitely be back. In a behind-the-scenes video shared to EastEnders official YouTube, Lacey said: ‘I am coming back, I won’t be long’. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. When is Stacey Slater returning to EastEnders? Reportedly, around New Year. Janine Butcher The bitch is back! (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) As reported by The Sun, Janine, the ultimate Queen of mean, is set to return to our screens for a short stint, with a source teasing: ‘Janine’s appearance is going to blow the roof off Albert Square.’ ‘The bosses have several huge stories planned for this autumn, which will all start building towards Christmas,’ the insider added. ‘Although Charlie is only reprising her role as Janine for a couple of episodes this time around, her involvement is bound to cause plenty of drama.’ When is Janine Butcher returning to EastEnders? Currently, the date of Janine’s return is unknown. Sean Slater Sean will no doubt be causing trouble upon his return (Picture: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes) Bad boy Sean will be returning to his old stomping ground of Albert Square this year, with actor Robert Kazinsky reprising the role full time for the first time in 17 years. ‘I left EastEnders in 2008 as a 23-year-old boy and was lucky to spend the next 19 years of my life working around the world, always championing EastEnders and stating the fact that one day I wanted to walk in Sean’s shoes again, but this time as a man to see who Sean the man might also be. ‘I wanted to do it for Sean, I wanted to do it for the fans that have supported me in every role since I left the Square but, mostly, I wanted to do it for me. I’m home, and I can’t wait to bring a new level of heartfelt chaos to Albert Square in the way only Sean Slater can.’ When is Sean Slater returning to EastEnders? Later this year. EastEnders cast departures Johnny Carter Johnny will be following his mum out of the Square (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) After The Sun first reported Johnny’s departure to coincide with his on-screen mum’s exit, an EastEnders spokesperson told Metro: ‘We can confirm Charlie Suff will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.’ According to reports, actor Charlie understood that once his co-star Kellie decided to leave, that he’d be going too. ‘Johnny and his mum Linda have an unbreakable bond so there was no way he would stay in Albert Square without her,’ said the Sun. When is Johnny Carter leaving EastEnders? Later this year. Linda Carter Linda is bowing out after 13 years (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron) Former landlady of the Queen Vic and matriarch to one of Walford’s most adored families, Linda will be bidding adieu to Albert Square as Kellie Bright leaves her role this year. ‘EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye,’ said Kellie, discussing her decision to leave. ‘I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay. I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys.’ When is Linda Carter leaving EastEnders? Linda’s leaving date is currently unknown. Ravi Gulati Ravi is saying goodbye after four years (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron) Ravi Gulati star Aaron Thiara is reportedly set to leave EastEnders after four years. ‘Aaron has been at the centre of the some of the soap’s biggest storylines since his arrival as bad-boy Ravi back in 2022,’ a source told The Sun. ‘He’s an incredibly popular member of the cast and the fans love him. He’s decided to focus on new projects, but will stay on set until the end of the year to see out some juicy storylines his character has in store.’ When is Ravi Gulati leaving EastEnders? Ravi’s leaving date is currently unknown but it is thought that he will be staying on the show until at least the end of this year. Kat Moon Jessie Wallace is doing panto (Picture: BBC) Jessie Wallace will briefly depart the show, as she’s been cast as Captain Hook at the New Wimbledon Theatre’s panto production of Peter Pan, with a source telling The Sun: ‘Jessie will be taking a short break from the soap to appear in panto. ‘Bosses agreed to the short break because it’s over Christmas and won’t hugely affect filming. ‘It’s a huge bonus for Jessie. She’s one of the show’s biggest names and can command huge fees for panto appearances’. When is Kat Moon leaving EastEnders? Kat’s leaving date is currently unknown. Alfie Moon Shane is also departing (Picture: BBC) Much like his on-screen wife, Shane will also be taking a break to perform in panto. Shane has joined the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Cliffs Pavilion theatre in Southend-on-Sea. When is Alfie Moon leaving EastEnders? Alfie’s leaving date is currently unknown. Oscar Branning Oscar will be bidding goodbye (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) The Sun reported that Pierre, who’s played Oscar for just over a year will be bowing out of the show imminently. ‘The fans love Pierre, so this is a huge blow to the show,’ said a source. ‘Viewers are still reeling from the news they are losing Kellie and Aaron, two incredibly popular staples.’ When is Oscar Branning leaving EastEnders? Oscar’s leaving date is currently unknown. Who is in the EastEnders 2026 cast? The present cast of EastEnders is made up of: Regular cast 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 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 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 Scott Maslen as Jack Branning 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 Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon Kellie Bright as Linda Carter Charlie Suff as Johnny Carter Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Peacock Stephen Aaron-Sipple as Mark Fowler Jr Tony Clay as Callum Highway Sakira Vel as Ash Panesar 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 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 Joshua Vaughan as Josh Goodwin Matthew James Bailey as Craig Ingram Patricia Potter as Gemma Hawkins Anna Constable as Jodie Hawkins Marian McLoughlin as Rose Hawkins Christopher Colquhoun as Darnell Larson Jr Krysstina Frempong as Grace Larson Felix Huff as Ryder Hawkins Jamie Bamber as Ned Hawkins Recurring cast Jane Slaughter as Tracey Ulric Browne as Winston Liz Sweet as Marie Evans Grace as Janet Mitchell Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell Frankie Day as Ricky Branning Isabella Brown as Lexi Pierce Ben Champniss as Shrimpy 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 Aaria Sharma as Ria Virdi Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale This article was first published on November 3, 2024 and has been updated. 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