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

Following a dramatic year last year, we have finally entered EastEnders’ 40th year in 2025, where there will be a host of new arrivals, returns and departures on the way.

Last year saw some huge changes for EastEnders, including the departure of Whitney Dean after 15 years in the summer and the arrival of new matriarch Nicola Mitchell in November.

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.

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

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
Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell
Paul Bradley as Nigel Bates
Thomas Law as Peter Beale
Karen Henthorn as Julie Bates
Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
Laila Morse as Mo Harris
Jessie Wallace as Kat Moon
Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater
Nicholas Bailey as Dr Anthony Trueman
Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
Shane Ritchie 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
Grace as Janet Mitchell
Jake Wood as Max Branning
Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Beale
Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
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
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 Knight
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
Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Fox
Tony Clay as Callum Highway
Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar
Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar-Unwin
James Farrar as Zack Hudson
Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe
Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes
Heather Peace as Eve Panesar-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
Roland Manookian as Teddy Mitchell
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
Max Murray as Joel Marshall
Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher

And here are the changes to the cast coming soon…

JOINING

Bea (Ronni Ancona)

Ronni Ancona as Bea in EastEnders, wearing a beige fur-trimmed coat and leopard-print top stands outside Walford East Station, staring ahead with a shocked, tense expression. — Ronni Ancona as Bea in EastEnders,

When is Bea arriving? Early 2026.

British comedy legend Ronni Ancona – no stranger to an EastEnders impersonation – is joining the soap in 2026 as the mysterious Bea.

The new arrival is a blast from the past for Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) when she attends her high school reunion, with Linda and Bea each remembering their past rather differently.

On joining the cast of EastEnders, Ancona said: “I am honoured to have been invited to join the iconic institution that is EastEnders, and to go on this whirlwind of a journey with such an unpredictable, nuanced and complex character as Bea. I hope audiences have as much fun watching her as I have had bringing her to life.”

EastEnders’ executive producer Ben Wadey added: “I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Ronni Ancona to EastEnders playing the character of Bea. Bea’s character is mysterious, and we’re thrilled to have an esteemed actress and comedian like Ronni playing her.”

Ancona has already started filming on EastEnders, with her first scenes as Bea set to air in the New Year.

Will Bea be a hindrance or a help to Linda?

DEPARTING

Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian)

Roland Manookian as Teddy Mitchell sits in court in a blue suit in EastEnders — Roland Manookian as Teddy Mitchell in EastEnders. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

When is Teddy Mitchell leaving EastEnders? December 2025.

Actor Roland Manookian has been confirmed to have filmed his final scenes as Teddy Mitchell from EastEnders.

The latest Mitchell patriarch was introduced 18 months ago by former show boss Chris Clenshaw and was joined by sons Harry and Barney, before ex-wife Nicola showed up months later.

An EastEnders spokesperson told RadioTimes.com: “We can confirm Roland will be leaving EastEnders this year, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

It comes after an apparent source told The Sun that current boss Ben Wadey had decided “the character had run his course”.

The character is currently being held on remand ahead of his sentencing for the murder of Tobias “Okie” Okeyere, taking the fall for his son Harry, who stabbed Okie in self-defence.

Will Teddy part with his beloved family on good terms?

Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf)

A shocked Sam Mitchell stands in a white coat against a blue wallpapered wall in EastEnders — Sam’s back – but only temporarily! BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron

When might Sam Mitchell be returning? Early 2026.

Kim Medcalf has reprised the role of Sam Mitchell for a short stint this festive season.

The character has returned following the discovery of a lump in her breast, which will turn out to be breast cancer and require a lumpectomy.

However, does Sam also have a motive for revenge against her old accomplice, Zoe Slater?

Either way, Sam looks set to survive her cancer battle, but will she leave Walford on good terms with son Ricky Branning and brother Phil Mitchell?

Joel Marshall (Max Murray)

Max Murray sits scowling with his arms folded as Joel Marshall for EastEnders. — Max Murray as Joel Marshall for EastEnders. BBC/Kieron McCarron

When is Joel Marshall leaving? TBC.

It has been reported that the misogyny storyline has reached its climax concerning troubled teen Joel Marshall (Max Murray).

The character is currently in police custody following his attack on Vicki Fowler and furiously rejecting his father, Ross.

It would seem punishment awaits Joel, and his time on the show will apparently come to a close.

According to Metro, Max Murray will leave the Square as his character Joel’s misogyny storyline reaches a head.

A spokesperson for EastEnders declined to comment when approached by RadioTimes.com.

Who is joining EastEnders?

At present, no new cast members have been confirmed or reported for EastEnders.

RETURNING

Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement)

Nigel Bates - wearing a suit - sits beside Pat Evans - wearing a bright pink blazer - in The Queen Vic in EastEnders. There are glasses, cigarettes, a lighter and an ashtray on the table in front of them. — Pat’s back for a very special episode. BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron

When is Pat Evans returning? December 2025.

Walford icon Pat Evans will be making another posthumous appearance this Christmas in a special episode depicting Nigel Bates’s dementia symptoms worsening and being transported back to the 1990s.

Pam St. Clement reprises the role she originated in 1986 and played until Pat’s death from cancer in 2012. She later returned for a ghostly appearance around best pal Peggy Mitchell’s final episode in 2016.

Speaking on her return, St Clement said: “I was both surprised and excited to be asked back to tread the streets of Walford once again and to be involved in Nigel’s touching dementia storyline.

“It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home.”

Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: “It’s an honour and a privilege to welcome Pam St Clement back to EastEnders for a special episode in Nigel’s ongoing dementia storyline.

“Pat Evans is one of the most cherished and iconic characters to have graced the streets of Walford, and I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I say what a delight it was to see Pat and Pam back in The Queen Vic as she helps Nigel in his time of need.”

Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson)

Shaun Williamson and Paul Bradley in EastEnders. They are both wearing suit jackets, with Williamson's being sparkly gold and purple. He is holding a microphone. — Shaun Williamson and Paul Bradley in EastEnders. BBC

When is Barry Evans returning? December 2025.

Pat won’t be alone when she returns either – as her late stepson Barry Evans will also be back for the Nigel episode, once again played by Shaun Williamson.

Barry first appeared in Walford in 1994 as the son of Pat’s love interest and future husband, Roy Evans (the late Tony Caunter), going on to be a staple in Walford for the next decade until he was killed by scheming newlywed bride Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) in 2004. Barry was survived by his son, Jack, and his first wife, Natalie Price (Lucy Speed).

Executive producer Ben Wadey said of Williamson’s return: “I’m delighted to welcome Shaun Williamson back to EastEnders for Nigel’s special episode.

“Barry Evans was renowned for being one of Walford’s unluckiest residents, most notably for his choice of shoes, and so it was a privilege to welcome him back alongside Pat for these special scenes in The Vic.”

WHO MAY BE RETURNING?

Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner)

Lacey Turner as a shocked Stacey Slater in EastEnders — Stacey was stunned to see Zoe and Max kissing BBC

When is Stacey Slater returning? TBC.

Lacey Turner went on an extended break from the show recently, with Stacey departing for a new life in Brazil with her brother Sean Slater and her two youngest children.

However, Turner has affirmed that she will return to the soap in the future, but no firm return date has been set.

So, expect to be without Stacey for a while yet!