It’s been one hell of a busy time in Walford, with the big 40th Anniversary celebrations sparking plenty of comings and goings in EastEnders over the last year.

Just last month we welcomed back Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) to Walford after a 20 year absence, only for her to dart off to Barcelona three episodes later. But this isn’t the last we’ve seen of her!

This came months after high-profile returns such as Ross Kemp’s Grant Mitchell and a shock cameo from Anita Dobson as original Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts.

We also recently said goodbye to Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison) and Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris), who left Albert Square together in the back of a cab.

Although the big 40th week is now over, there are still set to be more faces popping in and out of Albert Square in the coming months.

Here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving and arriving in EastEnders…

EASTENDERS CAST RETURNS
Zoe Slater
Show legend Michelle Ryan will return full time as Zoe Slater later in the year.

We were treated to a brief stint last month, when she was shown to have fallen on hard times and was desperate for cash. After telling some porkies to cousin Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and stepfather Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), she fled London.

Zoe Slater promo pic in EastEnders

Zoe Slater will be back (Picture: BBC)
The actress is already filming scenes, meaning that her big comeback is bound to be imminent.

And we can’t wait!

When is Zoe Slater returning to EastEnders? This summer.

Max Branning
It was reported in May that love rat Max would be heading back to Albert Square after four years, with EastEnders officially confirming his return earlier this month.

Max Branning in EastEnders, standing outside of Walford East Tube station.
Bring on the Max Branning drama! (Picture: BBC)
The last time we saw him, Max decided to call time on his life in Walford to join daughter Lauren and grandson Louie in New Zealand.

It later transpired that Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) – who he had an affair with the previous year – was pregnant with their daughter Annie.

He certainly has a lot to catch up on!

When is Max Branning returning to EastEnders? Later this year.

Ben Mitchell
Ben Mitchell is set to return to Walford with actor Max Bowden reprising his role after just one year away.

It was confirmed in late 2023 that Max would be leaving the show, with his final scenes airing in March 2024.

His exit storyline saw Ben jailed shortly after he was arrested for committing fraud during a trip to the US.

Ben Mitchell looking serious with his arms folded in EastEnders.
Max Bowden is reportedly reprising his role (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
The mechanic shared a final heart-to-heart with husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) while behind bars before being extradited back to America, where he has been serving his sentence.

‘Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one,’ a source told The Sun. ‘It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.’

When is Ben Mitchell returning to EastEnders? Later this year.

Sharon Watts
Letitia Dean is currently on a break from the BBC soap.

Sharon was grappling with the aftermath of her affair with Grant Mitchell – which had been realised by his brother Phil – when her half-sister Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) arrived from Australia.

Sharon Watts holding a coat in EastEnders
Letitia Dean is currently on a break (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Phil had hopes of reuniting with her, but that idea was now blown out of the water.

It explained that she had gone to stay with Jada Lennox (Kelsey Calladine-Smith) as she ‘can’t face’ the upset she felt for Martin.

As viewers of the BBC One soap will remember, Jada is the ex-partner of Sharon’s late son Denny (Bleu Landau), and mother of her granddaughter Alyssa.

Extending her break, she is now staying with old pal Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully).

When is Sharon Watts returning to EastEnders? Currently unknown.

Lily Slater
Lily sitting on a swing looking sad while Lauren approaches with a pram from behind her in EastEnders
Actress Lillia Turner is taking her exams (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
It has been a tough year for Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) after losing father-figure Martin while raising daughter Charli.

Following Martin’s death and mum Stacey’s struggle with her grief, Lily went to stay with dad Ryan.

This exit was to facilitate actress Lillia Turner taking her exams.

When is Lily Slater returning to EastEnders? Currently unknown.

Another big return!
Kate Oates, the Beeb’s Head of Continuing Drama has confirmed that another familiar face is on their way back to Walford.

A silhouette of a woman outside EastEnders’ Queen Vic pub.
A huge mystery! (Picture: BBC/Metro)
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They will follow in the footsteps of Bianca Jackson, David Wicks (Michael French) and Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), who have all returned – alongside many other names – over the last year.

‘If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed, because there’s potentially one on the cards’ she said.

‘There are some really big stories coming up and if it’s a return you’re after, then you might be interested in what’s on the horizon.’

But who could it be?

EASTENDERS CAST DEPARTURES
Stacey Slater
Stacey Slater actress Lacey Turner is currently on semi-maternity leave from the soap after welcoming her third child – a daughter called Gipsy – in January.

Lacey returned to the show’s studios at Elstree just a month after giving birth for a spectacular live episode, where she delivered a powerhouse performance during Martin’s final moments.

Stacey Slater looks worried while on the phone in EastEnders
Actress Lacey Turner recently gave birth to her third child (Picture: BBC)
It was later confirmed that Lacey will bow out of the role later in 2025.

A spokesperson confirmed that the door would be left open for the much-loved Walford local to return one day: ‘We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year, but there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey’s return when Lacey decides the time is right.’

She made a surprise return last week to coincide with Zoe’s reappearance, though has took the decision to stay away for a little while longer.

When is Stacey Slater leaving EastEnders? Later in 2025.

Freddie Slater
Freddie standing with his arms folded in EastEnders
It’s goodbye to Freddie Slater (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
After four years on Albert Square, Bobby Brazier is set to leave Freddie Slater behind, bowing out later this year.

An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed to Metro: ‘We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.’

The actor, 22, is reportedly looking to pursue other projects.

When is Freddie Slater leaving EastEnders? Later in 2025.

Who is in the EastEnders 2025 cast?
The present cast of EastEnders is made up of:

Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale
Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale
Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts
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
Laila Morse as Mo Slater
Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
Shane Richie as Alfie Moon
Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman
Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
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
Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning
Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown
Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
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
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 Howey 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
Molly Rainford as Anna Knight
Francesca Henry as Gina 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
Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler
Alex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall
Max Murray as Joel Marshall
Grace as Janet 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
Anna Knight
Anna Knight in The Queen Vic kitchen in EastEnders
Molly Rainford is the latest star to announce her departure (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) is set to depart the show later this year after a two-year stint.

A spokesperson told Metro: ‘We can confirm that Molly Rainford will be leaving EastEnders later this year, and we wish her all the best for the future.’

Anna and Freddie have had a complicated relationship during their time on the show, though it is yet to be seen if their exits will coincide with each other…

When is Anna Knight leaving EastEnders? Later in 2025.

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

Nigel Bates sitting at the kitchen table in EastEnders
Paul Bradley reprised his role as Nigel Bates last year (Picture: BBC)
Since his return, he has supported old school friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) through his mental health crisis, while also dealing with the fact he has been diagnosed with young-onset dementia himself.

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While Nigel has been a welcome addition to the Square, actor Paul is only back temporarily – although it is not yet known how long his stint is set to last for.

When is Nigel Bates leaving EastEnders? Currently unknown.