EastEnders 2026: Full List of Cast Returns, Exits and New Arrivals

We are nearly halfway through 2026, and EastEnders has already seen plenty of cast changes, with more still to come. So far, we have witnessed the glorious returns and departures of Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), Jake Moon (Joel Beckett), and Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell), while we also welcomed back the final piece of the Mitchell puzzle, Grant (Ross Kemp). We were introduced to 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). We have also said heartbreaking goodbyes to lovable Nigel (Paul Bradley) and his wife Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn). Changes to come include the re-emergence of twisted incel Joel Marshall (Max Murray), serial killer Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), and the always iconic Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). With things constantly fluctuating in Walford, here is what we currently know about who is returning, leaving, and arriving in EastEnders.

EastEnders Cast Returns

Sharon Watts

Oh, thank goodness. Sharon is coming home. The beloved character returned to our screens this week after being away from Walford since the end of 2025. Sharon was in town for Vicki Fowler’s (Alice Haig) wedding and shared in a chat with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) that she would be back properly in a month or so, once she has tied up some loose ends in America. When is Sharon returning to EastEnders? In about a month.

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 stretch inside for his crimes. While believed to still be inside, we will be seeing 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). When is Gray Atkins returning to EastEnders? Currently, the date of Gray’s return is unknown.

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Joel Marshall

Joel left Albert Square after being handed a six-month custodial sentence following his vicious attack on Vicki and his twisted crimes against Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James). While he has remained off-screen since, the aftershock of his sick behaviour has continued to affect Vicki and Joel’s dad Ross Marshall’s (Alex Walkinshaw) relationship. An EastEnders spokesperson recently said: ‘We can confirm that Max Murray will be returning to EastEnders’, though gave no further details. When is Joel Marshall returning to EastEnders? Currently, the date of Joel’s return is unknown.

Stacey Slater

Our Stace left Walford for a new life in Brazil after realising that she would 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 departed, actress Lacey Turner was quick to reassure viewers that they would not have to miss her for too long and that she would 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.’ When is Stacey Slater returning to EastEnders? Currently, the date of Stacey’s return is unknown.

EastEnders Cast Departures

Sam Mitchell

The return of the Mitchell Princess, Sam, centred around her character being diagnosed with breast cancer. ‘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,’ Kim said in regards to the plot. Sam’s return was only ever meant to be temporary, though, with her originally set to leave Walford once her cancer storyline had concluded. However, as of mid February, she decided to stick around, leading to a reunion with brother Grant. When did Sam Mitchell leave EastEnders? Sam departed Albert Square once more in the episode that was broadcast on May 26, 2026. She left with her brother Grant.

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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 while desperate to reconnect with his son Mark. ‘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,’ said Ross on Grant’s reason for returning. ‘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, and important enough, for him to come back to Walford immediately.’ While Grant’s return has gone down a treat with viewers, his comeback was only temporary. When is Grant Mitchell leaving EastEnders? Grant departed Albert Square on May 26 with sister Sam.