It’s a busy time in Walford, with the big 40th Anniversary celebrations fast approaching – meaning there will be plenty of comings and goings ahead in EastEnders.
Fans have been thrilled to see a number of high-profile returns in recent months, including Chrissie Watts (Tracey-Ann Oberman), David Wicks (Michael French) and Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), whilst twisted Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) made a dramatic exit as 2025 began.
The Square is set to welcome back and say goodbye to more faces in the coming weeks.
Here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving and arriving in EastEnders…
EASTENDERS CAST RETURNS
Grant Mitchell
It has been confirmed that EastEnders legend Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) is set to return to Albert Square for the 40th anniversary.
With the soap promising that his return will be ‘nothing short of explosive’, Ross said: ‘I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary.
‘EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour.
‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang.’
When is Grant Mitchell returning to EastEnders? In time for the 40th anniversary
Sonia Fowler
Poor Son’ (Natalie Cassidy) is currently locked up after being framed for the murder of her fiancé Reiss Colwell’s (Jonny Freeman) comatose wife Debbie.
As we all know, it was Reiss himself who smothered her with a pillow to avoid having to cough up any further private care fees.
Since then, the residents have launched a ‘Save Our Sonia’ campaign to get the pregnant legend free – with Reiss being the biggest supporter, with guilt slowly encompassing him.
We know that actress Natalie Cassidy is taking a short break from the soap to explore other projects, including a TV show with comedian Ricky Gervais.
When is Sonia Fowler returning to EastEnders? Early 2025
Bianca Jackson
Bianca Jackson is currently being held hostage in a storage unit by Reiss, but surely she can’t stay there forever, right?
Fans are desperate to know how the soap stalwart is getting on, and with Sonia’s trial approaching, we’re hopeful that Bianca will be back on our screens – hopefully with a means of escape from sinister Reiss!
When is Bianca Jackson returning to EastEnders? Currently unknown
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 Cotton
- Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts
- 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
- 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
- Clair Norris as Bernadette Taylor
- 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
- Matthew James Morrison as Felix Baker
- Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes
- Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder ‘Nugget’ Gulati
- Jonny Freeman as Reiss Colwell
- 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
- 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
- Ben Champniss as Shrimpy
Whilst fans were abuzz with excitement over the news, one noted that it means Stacey will likely have to be written out to facilitate Lacey’s maternity leave – therefore missing out on the big birthday bash in February.
While plans are being kept firmly under wraps for now, we do know that a live episode will be the centrepiece.
When is Stacey Slater leaving EastEnders? Currently unknown
