EastEnders 2026 Cast Changes: Full List of Returns, Exits, and New Arrivals
We are nearly halfway through 2026, and EastEnders has already seen plenty of cast changes, with more on the horizon. So far, viewers have witnessed the glorious returns and departures of Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), Jake Moon (Joel Beckett), and Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell), while also welcoming back the final piece of the Mitchell puzzle, Grant (Ross Kemp). New characters introduced include Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona), an old school friend of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), and Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan), the twin brother of Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and son of Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). Heartbreaking goodbyes have been said to beloved Nigel (Paul Bradley) and his wife Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn). Upcoming changes include the departure of Grant and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and the re-emergence of twisted incel Joel Marshall (Max Murray) and serial killer Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith). With things constantly fluctuating in Walford, here is everything we currently know about who is returning, leaving, and arriving in EastEnders.
EastEnders Cast Returns
Gray Atkins
Gray, the vicious abuser who ultimately killed his long-suffering wife Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer) before going on to murder Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) and Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami), was last seen being carted off to begin a long prison sentence. While believed to still be incarcerated, viewers will see the psychotic killer again. According to reports, Gray will re-emerge and have a direct impact on the life of his ex-wife, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams). The exact date of Gray's return is currently unknown.
Joel Marshall
Joel left Albert Square after receiving a six-month custodial sentence for his vicious attack on Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and his twisted crimes against Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James). Although he has remained off-screen, the aftershock of his behavior has continued to affect Vicki and Joel's father, Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw). An EastEnders spokesperson recently confirmed that Max Murray will be returning to the show, though no further details were given. The date of Joel's return is currently unknown.
Stacey Slater
Stacey left Walford for a new life in Brazil after realizing she could never escape the ghost of her ex-husband and true love, Martin Fowler (James Bye), while remaining in Albert Square. Although hearts across the nation broke when Stacey departed, actress Lacey Turner quickly reassured viewers that she would definitely be back. In a behind-the-scenes video shared on EastEnders' official YouTube channel, Lacey said: 'I am coming back, I won't be long.' The date of Stacey's return is currently unknown.
EastEnders Cast Departures
Sam Mitchell
The return of the Mitchell Princess, Sam, centered around her character being diagnosed with breast cancer. Kim Medcalf said regarding the plot: 'I really hope that Sam's story shows the importance of getting checked out as soon as possible. We all need to encourage each other to regularly check our breasts because if you can catch breast cancer early enough, it can make a big difference to the prognosis and treatment.' Sam's return was only meant to be temporary, with her originally set to leave Walford once her cancer storyline concluded. However, as of mid-February, she decided to stick around, leading to a reunion with brother Grant. Sam Mitchell is set to leave EastEnders next week.
Grant Mitchell
Grant Mitchell last appeared as part of EastEnders' 40th birthday celebrations, before Ross Kemp made a further return as part of Nigel's death storyline this spring, desperate to reconnect with his son, Mark. Ross said on Grant's reason for returning: 'Grant is desperate to see his son. They've never had a relationship, and he may see this as the first step towards potentially building one. He's also shocked to hear from him in general and probably feels that, if Mark has reached out after all this time, then whatever is happening must be significant enough for him to come back to Walford immediately.' While Grant's return has been well-received by viewers, his comeback is only temporary. Grant Mitchell is set to leave EastEnders next week.
Who Is in the EastEnders 2026 Cast?
The current cast of EastEnders includes regulars such as 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, Michelle Ryan as Zoe 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, 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, and Ronni Ancona as Bea Pollard. Recurring cast members include Grace as Janet Mitchell, Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell, Frankie Day as Ricky Branning, Isabella Brown as Lexi Pearce, 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, and others.
This article was first published on November 3, 2024, and has been updated.
