EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
As we continue the year 2024, there will be a host of new arrivals, returns and departures on EastEnders.
After the year 2023 saw major exits including the death of Keanu Taylor and the prison exit of Tom “Rocky” Cotton, we can expect some more major changes on the way for the Enders cast.
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.
EastEnders cast 2024
The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character’s first appearance.
Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Cotton
Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts
Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale
James Bye as Martin Fowler
Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale
Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell
Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson
Natalie Cassidy as Sonia Fowler
Thomas Law as Peter Beale
Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
Jessie Wallace as Kat Mitchell
Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
Shane Ritchie as Alfie Moon
Clay Milner Russell as Bobby Beale
Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman
Bobby Brazier as Freddie Slater
Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
Gillian Wright as Jean Slater
Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell
Matt Di Angelo as Dean Wicks
Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox
Diane Parish as Denise Fox
Grace as Janet Mitchell
Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning
Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown
Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning
Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
Shona McGarty as Whitney Dean
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 Peacock
Elliot Briffett as Bert Moon
Cody Briffett as Ernie Moon
Arayah Harris-Buckles as Pearl Fox
Harry Farr as Ollie Carter
Elizabeth Green as Jade Masood
Jake McNally as Louie Beale
Rocco Brenner as Arthur Fowler
Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Fox
Clair Norris as Bernadette Taylor
Isabelle Smith as Hope Fowler
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
Matthew Morrison as Felix Baker/Tara Misu
Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes
Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder “Nugget” Gulati
Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar
Jonny Freeman as Reiss Colwell
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
Howard Saddler as Pastor Gideon Clayton
Alan Ford as Stevie Mitchell
Lola Campbell as Britney Wainwright
And here are the changes to the cast coming soon…
ARRIVING
George “Junior” Knight, Jr. (Micah Balfour)
Micah Balfour joins the cast as Junior Knight.
When is Junior Knight arriving? May 2024.
Former Emmerdale star Micah Balfour is joining the cast of EastEnders as Junior Knight.
The eldest child and only son of George Knight has been estranged from him for years but will finally make his debut in the coming weeks.
Speaking about his exciting role of Junior, Balfour said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders as part of the Knight family. I grew up watching the show and many of the characters have been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so walking onto the Square for the first time was the most surreal experience of my career!
It’s a privilege to work with Colin Salmon, who I’ve watched with admiration for many years, and Francesca Henry and Molly Rainford, who are dynamite on screen, as well as the amazing Harriet Thorpe and Kellie Bright.
“Junior is an exciting character to play as he’s a complex man, and he’s going to cause a bit of a stir!”
Executive producer, Chris Clenshaw, shared: “I’m delighted to welcome Micah Balfour to the cast of EastEnders as he takes on the role of Junior Knight. Although Junior has been referenced since The Knights arrived in the Square, the audience knows very little about George’s son and the circumstances behind their estrangement.
“Junior arrives in Walford following an unlikely meet with his dad and is quickly thrust into the heart of the drama. However, it will soon become apparent to viewers that there is more to Junior than meets the eye…”
DEPARTING
Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty)
Will Whitney Dean get her happy ending? BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
When is Whitney Dean leaving? Mid-2024.
Actress Shona McGarty has quit her role as Whitney Dean in EastEnders after 15 years.
The BBC One soap will lose the long-running character early next year as Whitney waves goodbye to Walford – but how will she go?
Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, McGarty commented: “I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.
“I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships — and family — which will endure.”
A source told the paper that Shona “is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.”
RadioTimes.com understands that McGarty decided to leave at the end of her contract and she will depart our screens in Spring 2024, meaning fans have months left of Whitney being on-screen.
The character debuted in EastEnders in 2008 as she joined the show as the step-daughter of returning fan-favourite Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) alongside the latter’s children, Liam, Tiffany, and Morgan.
Whitney’s biggest storylines have included being the victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of Tony King, being sexually exploited by boyfriend Rob Grayson, being stalked by Tony’s son Leo, her being placed on trial for Leo’s death, the loss of boyfriend Kush Kazemi to serial killer Gray Atkins, and her various doomed romances including to husband Lee Carter.
Most recently Whitney entered into a romance with Zack Hudson after the pair terminated the pregnancy of their unborn baby Peach who was diagnosed with Edward’s Syndrome.
The pair later went into fostering together but now face a new journey as Whitney is pregnant by Zack once again.
In the run-up to her exit, Whitney reunited with Bianca and recently paid to take in the troubled Britney Wainwright (Lola Campbell).
Speaking to Inside Soap magazine in August 2023, McGarty said: “As a viewer, and after playing her for so long, Whitney deserves a happy ending. The majority of comments online and when I speak to people in the street are along the lines of, ‘When is Whitney going to have her happy ending?’ and I think it’s time.”
Read More: EastEnders must give tragic heroine Whitney the happy ever after she deserves
Read More: EastEnders’ Shona McGarty on exit: “Whitney deserves a happy ending”
Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer)
Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson for EastEnders. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
When is Bianca Jackson leaving? Mid-2024.
Patsy Palmer has reprised her role as the iconic character Bianca Jackson in EastEnders for a short stint in the run-up to Whitney Dean’s exit in the BBC One soap.
As a result, Bianca is only back in Walford temporarily but the show is certainly making the most of Bianca and she even has her old job back at the cafe!
How will the Square say goodbye to Bianca this time?
Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell)
Clay Milner Russell as Bobby Beale in EastEnders. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
When is Bobby Beale leaving? 2024.
Reports emerged on 15th April 2024 that Clay Milner Russell would leave EastEnders after five years on the BBC One soap.
The BBC later confirmed the news, who said to The Sun: “We can confirm that Clay will be leaving EastEnders later this year, and we wish him the best for the future.”
The publication went on to explain that the young actor was seeking new challenges away from EastEnders and that he wanted to play different types of roles.
In good news for fans, the door has reportedly been left open for Bobby (and Clay) to return in the future.
Will Bobby’s girlfriend Anna Knight be heartbroken by his departure or will it be Bobby leaving with a broken heart?
RETURNING
Big Mo Harris (Laila Morse)
Laila Morse as Big Mo Harris in EastEnders. BBC
When is Big Mo Harris returning? Spring 2024.
EastEnders has confirmed the permanent return of actress Laila Morse in her iconic role as Big Mo Harris.
The character left the soap in 2021 but last made a guest appearance in 2022 for granddaughter Kat’s first wedding to Phil Mitchell.
Now, Big Mo will be back alongside great-grandson Freddie Slater after an initial return in a TikTok spin-off series.
RadioTimes.com understands that Morse has already started filming, and we can expect Mo’s return to air in the spring.
Speaking of her comeback, she said: “I’m delighted to be coming home to Walford to bring Mo back to life. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to be reunited with my on screen family, who are like my family, as well as old and new faces.”
EastEnders’ executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Laila Morse to the role of Mo Harris. Although her time away from the Square has been short-lived, the Slater family has endured a huge amount of drama since she last appeared on screen and Mo’s return will be no different.
“We’re delighted to welcome Laila back permanently as she is thrust into the heart of the drama alongside great-grandson Freddie.”
While we’ll just have to wait and see what brings Mo back. EastEnders has teased that where Mo goes, trouble inevitably follows. What has she been up to?
Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier)
Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) will return to Albert Square this year. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
When is Freddie Slater returning? Spring 2024.
Bobby Brazier will be returning to his much-loved role as Freddie Slater after taking a break for a stint on Strictly Come Dancing 2023 and its subsequent live tour.
Earlier this year, Freddie was seen heading to visit his mother Little Mo Slater after he was bailed for attempted murder following a violent confrontation with his old teacher Theo Hawthorne (Willliam Ellis), who had been stalking and then attempted to rape Freddie’s cousin Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
The Slater family conspired to set up a crime scene that suggested Theo had a weapon and Freddie’s actions were purely in self-defence when he repeatedly hit Theo with an iron.
Due to Brazier taking part in Strictly and signing up to take part in the Strictly Come Dancing tour, Brazier is not making his return until the Spring opposite Big Mo Harris.
Teasing Freddie’s return, executive producer Chris Clenshaw teased to RadioTimes.com: “In terms of Freddie, he obviously left after a huge storyline in which we saw a very, very different Freddie – we’ve not seen him kind of act in that way before although I think we understood exactly where that was coming from.”
He added that “when Freddie returns, he’s probably done a little bit of growing up since being away.”
Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley)
Lorraine Stanley will reprise her role as a grieving Karen Taylor in EastEnders. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
When is Karen Taylor returning? Summer 2024.
Lorraine Stanley will reprise her role as Karen Taylor later this year for a short-lived stint.
After leaving EastEnders as a regular character last year, Karen made a short-term comeback earlier this year amid son Keanu’s disappearance – not knowing he had been murdered.
However, Karen left behind her daughter Bernie (Clair Norris) again and returned to Spain.
Yet, since then, Keanu’s murder has been revealed and Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) has been charged with killing him – while his killer Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) remains free.
Now aware of her son’s fate, a grieving Karen is set to return in episodes later this year but full details have yet to be revealed.
Shirley Carter (Linda Henry)
Linda Henry as Shirley Carter in EastEnders. BBC
When is Shirley Carter returning to EastEnders? TBC.
EastEnders fan-favourite Shirley Carter made a surprise departure from Walford just after Christmas in 2022 following the apparent death of her son Mick Carter.
Deciding that there was nothing left for her in Walford, Shirley walked out of the Square with Lady Di the dog to stay with daughter Carly Wicks and her family, having said goodbye to friends Jean Slater and Denise Fox.
We then heard of Shirley in February 2023 when we learned that she had also reunited with her previously estranged son Dean Wicks off-screen, the man who had raped Mick’s true love, Linda Carter.
When Dean made his horrific return on Halloween, he claimed that Shirley had experienced a mental breakdown and had been institutionalised and after Linda wasn’t in contact with her, changed her number and wanted nothing to do with her.
Linda was distrustful of Dean’s claims but was unable to get through to Shirley, meaning her fate remains mysterious.
Actress Linda Henry is taking an extended break from the show and has been off our screens for over a year.
However, the BBC confirmed to RadioTimes.com at the time of her exit that Shirley had not left the soap for good and would return.
Chris Clenshaw also told us in Autumn 2023: “So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show.
“But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick’s disappearance, it won’t have been the last you see of her. I can say that for sure.”
What will Shirley make of the new family in the Queen Vic, the Knights?
Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024?
Max Bowden as an emotional but smiling Ben Mitchell in a prison cell in EastEnders. BBC
The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2024.
Ashton (Guest)
Harold Martin (Guest)
Sam Mitchell
Karen Taylor (Guest)
Keanu Taylor (Guest)
Lucas Johnson (Guest)
Ben Mitchell
Gloria Knight (Guest)
Eddie Knight (Guest)
Which characters departed EastEnders in 2023?
Brian Conley as Tom “Rocky” Cotton in EastEnders. BBC
The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2023.
DCI Samantha Keeble (Guest)
Ricky Butcher (Guest)
Scarlett Butcher
Edward “Jed” Chadwick (Guest)
Ryan Malloy (Guest)
Dr Ash Kaur
Vi Highway
Shifty Shiv (Guest)
Roxy Mitchell (Guest)
Duncan Boyd (Guest)
Lola Pearce-Brown
Lauren Branning (Guest)
Louie Beale (Guest)
Finlay Baker
Jo Cotton (Guest)
Peggy Taylor (Guest)
Lisa Fowler (Guest)
Arthur “Fatboy” Chubb (Guest)
Graham Foster (Guest)
Dorian Gates (Guest)
Nadine Keller (Guest)
Theo Hawthorne
Karen Taylor
Mitch Baker
Bailey Baker
Mia Atkins
Mackenzie Atkins
Keanu Taylor
Tom “Rocky” Cotton
Which characters departed EastEnders in 2022?
Danny Dyer as Mick Carter and Charlie Brooks as Janine Carter in EastEnders. BBC
The following characters departed EastEnders in 2022.
Iqra Ahmed
Mila Marwa
Kioni Marwa
Gray Atkins
Keegan Baker
Tiffany Butcher
Isaac Baptiste
Aaron Monroe
Nancy Carter
Avery Baker
Rainie Highway
Roland Highway
Stuart Highway
Dana Monroe
Frankie Lewis
Dr Nina Gupta
Kheerat Panesar
Lofty Holloway (Guest)
Mary Smith (Guest)
Disa O’Brien (Guest)
Ian Beale (Guest)
Colin Russell (Guest)
Barry Clark (Guest)
Kirsty “Dotty” Cotton
Jada Lennox
Alyssa Lennox
Mick Carter
Janine Carter
Shirley Carter
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings