![\"EastEnders](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SEC_293930036-bd39.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe changes continue! (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tThe changes continue! (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
We\u2019re nearly half way through 2026, and we\u2019ve already seen plenty of cast changes in EastEnders<\/a>, and there\u2019s still more to come!<\/p>\n So far, we\u2019ve witnessed the glorious returns, and departures, of Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman)<\/a>, Jake Moon (Joel Beckett)<\/a> and Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell)<\/a>, while we also welcomed back the final piece of the Mitchell puzzle, Grant<\/a> (Ross Kemp<\/a>).<\/p>\n We were introduced to Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona), an old school friend of Linda Carter<\/a>\u00a0(Kellie Bright<\/a>)\u00a0and Josh Goodwin<\/a>\u00a0(Joshua Vaughan<\/a>), the twin brother of Jasmine Fisher<\/a>\u00a0(Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness<\/a>) and son of Zoe Slater<\/a>\u00a0(Michelle Ryan<\/a>).<\/p>\n We\u2019ve also said heart breaking goodbyes to loveable Nigel<\/a>\u00a0(Paul Bradley<\/a>) and his wife, Julie Bates<\/a>\u2019\u00a0(Karen Henthorn<\/a>).<\/p>\n Changes to come include the re-emergence of twisted incel Joel Marshall<\/a>\u00a0(Max Murray<\/a>), serial killer Gray Atkins<\/a> (Toby-Alexander Smith<\/a>), and the always iconic Sharon Watts<\/a>\u00a0(Letitia Dean<\/a>).<\/p>\n With things constantly fluctuating in Walford, here\u2019s what we currently know about who is returning, leaving and arriving in EastEnders\u2026<\/p>\n EastEnders cast returns \t\t Oh, thank goodness. Sharon is coming home.<\/p>\n The beloved character returned to our screens this week, after being away from Walford since the end of 2025. <\/a><\/p>\n Sharon was in town for Vicki Fowler\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0(Alice Haig<\/a>) wedding, and shared in a chat with Phil Mitchell<\/a>\u00a0(Steve McFadden<\/a>) that she\u2019d be back properly in a month or so, once she\u2019s tied up some loose ends in America.<\/p>\n When is Sharon returning to EastEnders? In about a month.<\/p>\n Gray Atkins<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.<\/p>\n Click the button below and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \nAdd us as a Preferred Source<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Gray, the vicious abuser<\/a> who ultimately killed his long-suffering wife, Chantelle Atkins<\/a>\u00a0(Jessica Plummer<\/a>), before going on to murder Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) and Kush Kazemi<\/a>\u00a0(Davood Ghadami<\/a>) was last seen being carted off to begin a long stretch inside for his crimes.<\/p>\n While believed to still be inside, we will be seeing the psychotic killer again.<\/p>\n According to reports<\/a>, Gray will re-emerge and have a direct impact on the life of his ex-wife, Chelsea Fox<\/a>\u00a0(Zaraah Abrahams<\/a>)<\/p>\n When is Gray Atkins returning to EastEnders?<\/p>\n Currently, the date of Gray\u2019s return is unknown.<\/p>\n Joel Marshall<\/p>\n \t\t Joel left Albert Square after being handed a six month custodial sentence following his vicious attack<\/a> on Vicki and his twisted crimes against Avani Nandra-Hart<\/a>\u00a0(Aaliyah James<\/a>).<\/p>\n While he\u2019s remained off-screen since, the aftershock of his sick behaviour has continued to affect Vicki and Joel\u2019s dad, Ross Marshall<\/a>\u2019s\u00a0(Alex Walkinshaw<\/a>) relationship.<\/p>\n An EastEnders spokesperson recently said: \u2018We can confirm that Max Murray will be returning to\u00a0EastEnders\u2019, though gave no further details.<\/p>\n When is Joel Marshall returning to EastEnders?<\/p>\n Currently, the date of Joel\u2019s return is unknown.<\/p>\n Stacey Slater<\/p>\n \t\t 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<\/a>\u00a0(James Bye<\/a>) 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? <\/p>\n Currently, the date of Stacey\u2019s return is unknown.<\/p>\n EastEnders cast departures \t\t The return of the Mitchell Princess, Sam, centred around her character being diagnosed with breast cancer.<\/p>\n \u2018I really hope that Sam\u2019s 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,\u2019 Kim said in regards to the plot.<\/p>\n Sam\u2019s return was only ever meant to be temporary, though, withher originally set to leave Walford once her cancer storyline had concluded. <\/p>\n However, as of mid February,<\/a> she decided to stick around, leading to a reunion with brother Grant.<\/p>\n When did Sam Mitchell leave EastEnders?<\/p>\n Sam departed Albert Square once more in the episode that was broadcasted on May 26, 2026. <\/a>She left with her brother Grant.<\/p>\n Grant Mitchell<\/p>\n \t\t Grant Mitchell last appeared as part of EastEnders\u2019 40th birthday celebrations, before Ross Kemp made a further return as part of Nigel\u2019s death storyline this spring while desperate to reconnect with his son, Mark.<\/p>\n \u2018Grant is desperate to see his son. They\u2019ve never had a relationship, and he may see this as the first step towards potentially building one,\u2019 said Ross on Grant\u2019s reason for returning.<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s 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,\u2019 <\/p>\n While Grant\u2019s return has gone down a treat with viewers, his comeback was only temporary.<\/p>\n When is Grant Mitchell leaving EastEnders?<\/p>\n Grant departed Albert Square on May 26 with sister Sam.<\/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<\/p>\n Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale Recurring cast<\/p>\n Grace as Janet Mitchell This article was first published on November 3, 2024 and has been updated.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow
\nSharon Watts<\/p>\n![\"Sharon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/438445-04f9.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe icon returned this week (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780155250_988_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
\n\t\tNow you can ensure you never miss a story from the Soaps team<\/p>\n![\"Gray](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780155251_453_PRI_217386707-3fdb.jpg\")
\n\t\tSerial killer Gray will be back (Picture: BBC\/Kieron McCarron\/Jack Barnes)<\/p>\n![\"Joel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780155252_809_SEI_292404022-9361.jpg\")
\n\t\tJoel will be back soon (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barns\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Stacey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780155253_960_530463-dfba.jpg\")
\n\t\tStacey will be back (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barns\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
\nSam Mitchell<\/p>\n![\"Kim](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780155253_537_SEI_273772367-a999-e1764328669236.jpg\")
\n\t\tSam\u2019s return will be a short one (Picture: Instagram\/bbceastenders)<\/p>\n![\"Grant](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780155254_785_557930-64c9.jpg\")
\n\t\tGrant is back for a short stint only (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
\nLetitia Dean as Sharon Watts
\nAdam Woodyatt as Ian Beale
\nAlice Haig as Vicki Fowler
\nMichelle Collins as Cindy Beale
\nSteve McFadden as Phil Mitchell
\nThomas Law as Peter Beale
\nPerry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
\nJessie Wallace as Kat Slater
\nMichelle Ryan as Zoe Slater
\nLaila Morse as Mo Slater
\nRudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
\nShane Richie as Alfie Moon
\nAngela Wynter as Yolande Trueman
\nGillian Wright as Jean Slater
\nEmma Barton as Honey Mitchell
\nZaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox
\nDiane Parish as Denise Fox
\nJacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning
\nScott Maslen as Jack Branning
\nPierre Counihan-Moullier as Oscar Branning
\nKitty Castledine as Penny Branning
\nEllie Dadd as Amy Mitchell
\nTameka Empson as Kim Fox
\nLillia Turner as Lily Slater
\nSonny Kendall as Tommy Moon
\nKellie Bright as Linda Carter
\nCharlie Suff as Johnny Carter
\nHarriet Thorpe as Elaine Peacock
\nStephen Aaron-Sipple as Mark Fowler Jr
\nTony Clay as Callum Highway
\nShiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar
\nBalvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar
\nJames Farrar as Zack Hudson
\nRoss Boatman as Harvey Monroe
\nDelroy Atkinson as Howie Danes
\nHeather Peace as Eve Unwin
\nAaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati
\nJaden Ladega as Denzel Danes
\nJuhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder \u2018Nugget\u2019 Gulati
\nColin Salmon as George Knight
\nFrancesca Henry as Gina Knight
\nSophie Khan Levy as Priya Nandra-Hart
\nAaliyah James as Avani Nandra-Hart
\nElijah Holloway as Harry Mitchell
\nLewis Bridgeman as Barney Mitchell
\nDayo Koleosho as Kojo Asare
\nLaura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell
\nAlex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall
\nIndeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher
\nJoshua Vaughan as Josh Goodwin<\/p>\n
\nFreddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
\nFrankie Day as Ricky Branning
\nIsabella Brown as Lexi Pierce
\nElliot and Cody Briffett as Bert and Ernie Moon
\nArayah Harris-Buckle as Pearl Fox
\nJake McNally as Louie Beale
\nHarry Farr as Ollie Carter
\nRocco Brenner as Arthur Fowler
\nMichael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Dawkins
\nIsabelle Smith as Hope Fowler
\nMaylo Miller as Mica Fox
\nArthur Gentleman as Albie Watts
\nJane Slaughter as Tracey
\nUlric Browne as Winston
\nLiz Sweet as Marie Evans
\nBen Champniss as Shrimpy
\nRonni Ancona as Bea Pollard<\/p>\n
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\nMORE: Johannes Radebe reveals Strictly \u2018plan\u2019 that will delight worried fans<\/a><\/p>\n