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.

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
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
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
Jake Wood as Max Branning
Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Beale
Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
Pierre 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
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
Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell
Alex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall
Max Murray as Joel Marshall
Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu as Tobias “Okie” Okyere
Indeyarna Donalson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher

And here are the changes to the cast coming soon…

DEPARTING

Junior Knight (Micah Balfour)

Micah Balfour poses in a suit as Junior Knight in a promo shot for EastEnders. — What will Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) do next? BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

When is Junior Knight leaving? 2025.

Micah Balfour has been confirmed to be leaving the soap as George Knight’s eldest son, Junior.

The storylines have been very quiet for Junior since his affair with George’s ex-wife, Cindy Beale, was exposed last Christmas, but soon he will be waving goodbye to Walford for good.

A spokesperson confirmed to RadioTimes.com: “We can confirm Micah will be leaving EastEnders later this year, we wish him all the best for the future.”

Will George and Junior part on good terms?

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? 2025.

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.

A source told the publication that Murray will depart from the soap after a storyline that will “leave viewers on the edge of their seats”.

Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier)

Bobby Brazier as Freddie Slater sat in Kathy's Cafe in EastEnders. — Will Freddie leave Walford for a happy ending?

When is Freddie Slater leaving? 2025.

Actor Bobby Brazier has quit his role as Freddie Slater after three years on the soap.

Brazier’s departure was first reported in The Sun, with an EastEnders spokesperson confirming the news.

They told the publication: “We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Since he started on the soap, Brazier’s storylines have included Freddie’s ADHD diagnosis, an upsetting reunion with his biological father Graham Foster, and almost killing Stacey’s stalker Theo Hawthorne when defending his cousin.

Anna Knight (Molly Rainford)

Molly Rainford as a sullen Anna Knight in an off-white coat standing on a busy street in EastEnders. — Will Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) leave Walford as happy as she arrived? BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

When is Anna Knight leaving? 2025.

Anna Knight is set to become the first member of the Knight clan to depart Walford after their debut in 2023.

The BBC One soap has confirmed that Molly Rainford will be leaving the role of Anna as the character leaves Walford later this year.

“We can confirm that Molly Rainford will be leaving EastEnders later this year, and we wish her all the best for the future,” the BBC told RadioTimes.com in a statement.

We have no further details on her exit, but given that Freddie is also off soon, could the pair romantically reconcile and leave together?

The soap mentioned a planned trip to Australia for Anna, so maybe that will be how we lose another Knight!

Who is joining EastEnders?

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

WHO MAY BE RETURNING?

Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf)

Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell standing in the Slater living room in EastEnders. — What could bring Sam Mitchell back to Walford? BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

When might Sam Mitchell be returning? TBC.

After leaving Walford in disgrace in early 2024, Sam Mitchell has been speculated to be returning to the BBC One soap in the coming months.

A set photo appeared to display a figure resembling Kim Medcalf back as Sam Mitchell was spotted online among EastEnders fan communities, but this has yet to be commented on and remains unconfirmed by the BBC.

Will Sam be reunited with her family and former criminal accomplice Zoe Slater?

We know actress Michelle Ryan is keen – and so are we!

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!