EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?

RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders in the coming months.

So who's in? Who's out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders.

EastEnders cast 2024

The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character's first appearance.

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

And here are the changes to the cast coming soon...

ARRIVING

Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington)

When is Nicola Mitchell arriving? Autumn 2024.

EastEnders has cast former Doctors star Laura Doddington as newcomer Nicola Mitchell - the ex-wife of Teddy Mitchell (played by Roland Manookian).

So far, all we've heard about Teddy's ex is that he's been trying to hide his accounts from her. But this autumn, Nicola's sudden arrival will give Teddy quite a shock.

Nicola will immediately make her presence felt around the iconic Mitchell clan, as well as trying to build bridges with sons Harry (Elijah Holloway) and Barney (Lewis Bridgeman).

EastEnders' executive producer Chris Clenshaw said of Nicola's imminent arrival: "Like all the great Mitchell women, Nicola is feisty, strong and loves her family.

"She and Teddy share a very complicated history, which will be fun to explore, as will her relationships with her two sons. We’re delighted to welcome the fantastic Laura Doddington to EastEnders to bring Nicola to life."

Speaking of her new role, Doddington added: "I still can’t believe I’ve joined EastEnders – I keep pinching myself! I grew up watching the show, so the first time I filmed in The Vic, I was like a kid at Christmas to be in such an iconic place with such a brilliant cast and crew.

"Nicola is a complex woman who comes in like the Tasmanian Devil! She’s strong and completely unapologetic about who she is.

"I’ve been so lucky to have my Mitchell boys, Roland, Elijah and Lewis, as they’ve taken me under their wing, and we feel like a family already. I’m loving every second so far."

DEPARTING

Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry)

When is Nish Panesar leaving? 2024

It appears that nasty Nish Panesar is set to receive a final comeuppance as actor Navin Chowdhry bows out of the BBC One soap.

It's been reported via The Sun that actor Chowdhry has quit the BBC soap after two years, with the publication quoting a source as saying: "It's not known if Nish will be killed off, even though his health is suffering, but expect the exit to be very impactful and dramatic.

"Navin has made quite the impact on the show in the two years he has been a part of it, especially as a key part of the huge Christmas storyline with The Six. He'll be missed by cast, crew and viewers alike."

That's an understatement, as Navin won the Best Villain award at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024 for his turn as Nish!

RadioTimes.com has reached out to the BBC for comment on this storyline.

Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer)

When is Bianca Jackson leaving? Late 2024.

Patsy Palmer is reprising her role as Bianca Jackson once again in EastEnders after returning in late September 2024.

However, once again, this is only for a short stint so she won't be back on-screen permanently even if it is for a few weeks at least.

Bianca is still struggling with depression while plotting to expose killer Reiss and free her sister Sonia. B has also been reunited with her father David Wicks when he returned to Walford in October.

Will Bianca be seen leaving Walford happier than when she left?

RETURNING

Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton)

When is Ruby Allen returning? Late 2024.

Martin Fowler is set to be shocked when his ex-wife Ruby Allen returns to Walford later this year.

Louisa Lytton is reprising her role as Stacey Slater's former best pal and love rival after three years away. Ruby was last seen leaving Walford secretly pregnant after being sent to prison as a comeuppance for framing Stacey for GBH.

Ruby is said to be returning for a prolonged stint on the show, so we'll soon find out what Ruby's motives are as she brings new chaos to Martin and Stacey's lives.

Speaking about her comeback, Lytton said: “I am thrilled to have been asked back to the Square to revisit Ruby once more and to shed some light on what the past three years have been like for her during her time away from Walford.

"I’ve always loved playing Ruby as there is never a dull moment and I cannot wait for everyone to see what Ruby has in store.”

Chris Clenshaw, EastEnders' Executive Producer, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Louisa Lytton back to the role of Ruby Allen.

"Ruby’s departure from Walford left many unanswered questions for Martin and Stacey, and her return is sure to unearth a whole heap of drama for her character and all those involved."

Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill)

When is Nancy Carter returning? Winter 2024/2025.

Actress Maddy Hill has been spotted filming return scenes as Nancy Carter with the rest of the Carter clan at a mysterious funeral.

Speculation has risen that the funeral could be her mother Linda Carter's as the landlady is missing from the set pics. Nancy is seen comforting her younger brother Johnny Carter and sporting pink flamingo earrings.

Is Nancy back to say goodbye to her mother or another family member? Or is this all a rouse from the team at EastEnders? We'll have to wait and see...

Hill was last seen in EastEnders in 2022 when Nancy left Walford after learning partner Zack Hudson had cheated on her with Sam Mitchell.

Lee Carter (Danny Hatchard)

When is Lee Carter returning? Winter 2024/2025.

Alongside co-star Maddy Hill, Danny Hatchard has been spotted filming scenes as Mick and Linda's eldest child Lee Carter.

In the set photos, Lee could be seen carrying a coffin and also handling his drunken younger brother Johnny Carter.

Has Lee returned for a heartbreaking family funeral and could it be mum Linda's?

Hatchard was last seen as Lee in 2020 following a guest stint for a Christmas storyline.

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 approaching two years. Since then, Shirley's son Dean finally admitted that he raped Linda Carter back in 2014 and has now been sentenced to nine years in prison.

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."

Will we ever see Shirley Carter again?

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024?

The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2024.

• Ashton (Guest)
• Harold Martin (Guest)
• Sam Mitchell
• Keanu Taylor (Guest, hallucination)
• Lucas Johnson (Guest)
• Ben Mitchell
• Gloria Knight (Guest)
• Eddie Knight (Guest)
• Keeley Wainwright (Guest)
• Britney Wainwright
• Dolly Dean-Hudson
• Whitney Dean
• Monique Knight (Guest)
• Xavier Knight (Guest)
• Karen Taylor (Guest)
• Stevie Mitchell
• Debbie Colwell (Guest)
• Ayesha Siddhu (Guest)
• Dean Wicks
• Chrissie Watts (Guest)
• Jake Moon (Guest)
• Jane Beale (Guest)
• Bobby Beale
• Pastor Gideon Clayton
• Joe Wicks (Guest)
• Holly (Guest)
• David Wicks (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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