EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
All the changes to life in Albert Square you need to keep up with.
As we continue the year 2024, there will be a host of new arrivals, returns and departures on EastEnders.
After the year 2023 saw major exits including the death of Keanu Taylor and the prison exit of Tom "Rocky" Cotton, we can expect some more major changes on the way for the Enders cast.
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.
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EastEnders cast 2024
The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character's first appearance.
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- 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
- Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson
- 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
- Bobby Brazier as Freddie Slater
- Lacey Turner as Stacey 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
- Elizabeth Green as Jade Masood
- 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
- Alan Ford as Stevie Mitchell
- Bharti Patel as Maya Houssain
And here are the changes to the cast coming soon...
ARRIVING
Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian)
When is Teddy Mitchell arriving? June 2024.
The Football Factory, RocknRolla and The Rise of the Footsoldier franchise star Roland Manookian is joining EastEnders as Billy Mitchell's secret half-brother Teddy later this month.
The character will arrive with his two sons to visit his father Stevie Mitchell (Alan Ford) and soon collide with the rest of the Mitchell clan.
Manookian said of joining: "I've been watching EastEnders my whole life, so being part of it is amazing! Coming in as a Mitchell means you've got big shoes to fill, but it's a challenge that I'm happy to accept.
"It's a privilege to have the chance to work with the likes of Perry Fenwick, Steve McFadden, and the legendary Alan Ford – what amazing company to keep.
"Teddy is an enigmatic sort of fella with old-school principles, but he's tuned into modernity, too. It's a lovely part to get my teeth into."
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: "I’m delighted to welcome Roland, Elijah and Lewis to EastEnders as we bring a new branch of the iconic Mitchell family to the Square.
"The arrival of Teddy, Harry and Barney will be a seismic shock for Billy and an unwelcome surprise for Phil. With their arrival sparking more questions than answers, it’s not long before the Mitchells find themselves at war as Teddy and his sons are thrust into the heart of the drama."
Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway)
When is Harry Mitchell arriving? June 2024.
Newcomer Elijah Holloway will portray Teddy Mitchell's eldest son, Harry Mitchell when they arrive in Walford later this month.
Speaking about joining the cast of the soap, Holloway said: "It's a massive privilege to join a British institution like EastEnders, and to be playing a Mitchell makes it even more exciting. We've been given such a warm welcome, and it's unbelievable to be turning up to work in Walford every day.
"Harry has a lot of charm and swagger, but he's got a bit of a temper, too. He can’t resist trouble, or the ladies, so he’s ready to shake things up in typical Mitchell style!"
It sounds like we have a classic soap bad boy on our hands!
Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman)
When is Barney Mitchell arriving? June 2024.
Newcomer Lewis Bridgeman is joining the cast of EastEnders as Teddy Mitchell's younger son, Barney Mitchell.
Speaking about his new role in the soap, Bridgeman revealed: "Joining the EastEnders cast has been very exciting and such a great opportunity, which has been made even better by working with a wonderful cast and crew.
"Barney is an interesting character to explore because of his more introverted nature compared to the other members of his family, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he grows and develops in Albert Square."
DEPARTING
Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer)
When is Bianca Jackson leaving? Summer 2024.
Patsy Palmer has reprised her role as the iconic character Bianca Jackson in EastEnders for a short stint in the run-up to Whitney Dean's exit in the BBC One soap.
As a result, Bianca is only back in Walford temporarily but the show is certainly making the most of Bianca and she even has her old job back at the cafe!
Bianca will remain in the Square for some time following the exit of Whitney, so how will the Square say goodbye to Bianca this time?
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?
RETURNING
Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley)
When is Karen Taylor returning? Summer 2024.
Lorraine Stanley will reprise her role as Karen Taylor later this year for a short-lived stint.
After leaving EastEnders as a regular character last year, Karen made a short-term comeback earlier this year amid son Keanu's disappearance - not knowing he had been murdered.
However, Karen left behind her daughter Bernie (Clair Norris) again and returned to Spain.
Yet, since then, Keanu's murder has been revealed and Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) has been charged with killing him - while his killer Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) remains free.
Now aware of her son's fate, a grieving Karen is set to return in episodes later this year but full details have yet to be revealed.
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."
What will Shirley make of the new family in the Queen Vic, the Knights?
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)
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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