{"id":718093,"date":"2026-01-24T18:16:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T18:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/718093\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T18:16:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T18:16:19","slug":"all-eastenders-cast-returns-exits-and-new-arrivals-coming-up-in-2026-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/718093\/","title":{"rendered":"All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026 | Soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Eastenders
\n\t\tThere\u2019s more changes to come! (Picture: BBC\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

2025 saw a number of cast changes in EastEnders<\/a>, with even more comings and goings set to take place in 2026.<\/p>\n

Last year saw the return of Zoe Slater<\/a> (Michelle Ryan<\/a>) to Walford, months after high-profile returns such as <\/a>Grant Mitchell<\/a>\u00a0(Ross Kemp<\/a>)<\/strong> and a shock cameo from Anita Dobson as original Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts<\/a>, with Christmas bringing cameos from departed legends such as Pat <\/a>and Barry Evans (Pam St Clement<\/a> and Shaun Williamson<\/a>) and Debbie Bates (Nicola Duffett).<\/p>\n

We also lost some of our most beloved Albert Square last year, with audiences saying goodbye to Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison), Bernie Taylor<\/a>\u00a0(Clair Norris<\/a>), Junior Knight<\/a> (Micah Balfour<\/a>), Freddie Slater<\/a>\u00a0(Bobby Brazier<\/a>), Anna Knight<\/a>\u00a0(Molly Rainford<\/a>) and Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we currently know about who is returning, leaving and arriving in EastEnders\u2026<\/p>\n

Mark Fowler Jnr<\/p>\n

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tMark is back with a brand new face (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barns\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

First appearing as the mysterious \u2018man\u2019<\/a> in the New Years Day flashforward episode (no, really, he was credited as \u2018man\u2019), we recently learned that the new face in our midst is none-other than a recast Mark Fowler Jnr<\/a>, now played by Stephen Aaron-Sipple.<\/p>\n

\u2018He seemed to be a chip off the old Mitchell block back then, and still seems to be taking after his dad 10 years later as it transpires he\u2019s hiding a massive secret that could spell serious trouble for his relatives!\u2019 said an EastEnders source.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s clearly in trouble but assures Vicki\u00a0he\u2019s there to support her through Joel\u2019s trial. However, it turns out there\u2019s more to the story as he later confides in Phil what\u2019s really going on\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

Sounds juicy!<\/p>\n

When is Mark Jnr returning to EastEnders? <\/strong>Late January 2026.<\/p>\n

Stacey Slater<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Stacey
\n\t\tStacey will be back (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barns\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

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Our Stace\u2019 left Walford<\/a> for a new life in Brazil after realising that she\u2019d never escape the ghost of ex-husband and true love, Martin Fowler\u00a0(James Bye) while remaining in Albert Square.<\/p>\n

Though hearts across the nation broke when Stacey departed, actress Lacey Turner<\/a> was quick to reassure viewers that they wouldn\u2019t have to miss her for too long and that she\u2019d definitely be back<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In a behind the scenes video shared to EastEnders official YouTube, Lacey said: \u2018I am coming back, I won\u2019t be long\u2019.<\/p>\n

When is Stacey Slater returning to EastEnders? <\/strong>Currently unknown.<\/p>\n

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Sam Mitchell<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Kim
\n\t\tSam\u2019s return will be a short one (Picture: Instagram\/bbceastenders)<\/p>\n

The return of the Mitchell Princess, Sam\u00a0<\/a>(Kim Medcalf<\/a>) will, unfortunately be brief one, as she\u2019ll be leaving upon the conclusion of her cancer storyline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fans have plenty to look forward to, though, as they\u2019ll see scheming Sam reunite with frenemy, Zoe Slater, after 20 years apart, while also seeing her family and loved ones surround her as she faces her breast cancer diagnosis, that will see her undergo a successful lumpectomy in early 2026.<\/p>\n

When is Sam Mitchell leaving EastEnders?<\/strong> Early 2026.<\/p>\n

Nigel Bates<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Nigel
\n\t\tPaul Bradley reprised his role as Nigel Bates last year (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n

There was a huge surprise for 90s EastEnders fans back in December when Nigel Bates<\/a> (Paul Bradley<\/a>) made an unexpected comeback<\/a>, 26 years after his last appearance.<\/p>\n

Since his return, he has supported old school friend Phil Mitchell\u00a0(Steve McFadden) through his mental health crisis, while also dealing with the fact he has been diagnosed with young-onset dementia himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Nigel has been a welcome addition to the Square, actor Paul is only back temporarily \u2013\u00a0although it is not yet known how long his stint is set to last for.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When is Nigel Bates leaving EastEnders?<\/strong> Currently unknown.<\/p>\n

Joel Marshall<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Joel
\n\t\tJoel Marshall recently attacked Vicki Fowler (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n

Star Max Murray<\/a> is leaving his role as Joel Marshall<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The actor, 18, is currently at the centre of a storyline that draws comparison to\u00a0Netflix<\/a>\u2019s\u00a0Adolescence<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Following months of misogynistic behaviour,\u00a0Joel lashed out recently and brutally attacked<\/a>\u00a0his dad\u00a0Ross\u2019 (Alex Walkinshaw) girlfriend\u00a0Vicki Fowler\u00a0(Alice Haig).<\/p>\n

The episode was followed by\u00a0a special BBC Three documentary<\/a>\u00a0that explored the worrying \u2018Manosphere\u2019, and the influence that figures such as\u00a0Andrew Tate<\/a>\u00a0are having on teenage boys.<\/p>\n

As with all soap villains, the end of the road and their comeuppance has to come eventually<\/a> \u2013 but that doesn\u2019t mean the story can\u2019t be revisited in the future.<\/p>\n

A source exclusively told\u00a0Metro<\/strong>: \u2018Max is leaving EastEnders following an incredible year. There\u2019s still lots to come in the weeks ahead that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.<\/p>\n

\u2018Following his spellbinding performance, there\u2019s no doubt that producers will be keen to snap him up \u2013 and Max is already on the lookout for his next role.\u2019<\/p>\n

When is Joel Marshall leaving EastEnders?<\/strong> Early 2026<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWho is in the EastEnders 2026 cast?\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The present cast of EastEnders is made up of:<\/p>\n

Regular cast<\/strong><\/p>\n