The changes continue! (Picture: BBC)
We’re nearly half way through 2026, and we’ve already seen plenty of cast changes in EastEnders, and there’s still more to come!
So far, we’ve 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’ve also said heart breaking goodbyes to loveable 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’s what we currently know about who is returning, leaving and arriving in EastEnders…
EastEnders cast returns
Sharon Watts
The icon returned this week (Picture: BBC)
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’d be back properly in a month or so, once she’s tied up some loose ends in America.
When is Sharon returning to EastEnders? In about a month.
Gray Atkins
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Serial killer Gray will be back (Picture: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
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.
Joel Marshall
Joel will be back soon (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
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’s 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
Stacey will be back (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Our Stace’ left Walford for a new life in Brazil after realising that she’d 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 wouldn’t have to miss her for too long and that she’d 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
Sam’s return will be a short one (Picture: Instagram/bbceastenders)
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, withher 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 broadcasted on May 26, 2026. She left with her brother Grant.
Grant Mitchell
Grant is back for a short stint only (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
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.
Who is in the EastEnders 2026 cast?
The present cast of EastEnders is made up of:
Regular cast
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
Thomas Law as Peter Beale
Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
Jessie Wallace as Kat Slater
Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater
Laila Morse as Mo Slater
Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
Shane Richie 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
Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning
Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
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
Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon
Kellie Bright as Linda Carter
Charlie Suff as Johnny Carter
Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Peacock
Stephen Aaron-Sipple as Mark Fowler Jr
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
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
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
Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher
Joshua Vaughan as Josh Goodwin
Recurring cast
Grace as Janet Mitchell
Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
Frankie Day as Ricky Branning
Isabella Brown as Lexi Pierce
Elliot and Cody Briffett as Bert and Ernie Moon
Arayah Harris-Buckle as Pearl Fox
Jake McNally as Louie Beale
Harry Farr as Ollie Carter
Rocco Brenner as Arthur Fowler
Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Dawkins
Isabelle Smith as Hope Fowler
Maylo Miller as Mica Fox
Arthur Gentleman as Albie Watts
Jane Slaughter as Tracey
Ulric Browne as Winston
Liz Sweet as Marie Evans
Ben Champniss as Shrimpy
Ronni Ancona as Bea Pollard
This article was first published on November 3, 2024 and has been updated.
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