SOAP NEWS
EastEnders has been in 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 latest details on cast changes
EastEnders cast 2022
The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below.
- Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale
- Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts
- James Bye as Martin Fowler
- Charlie Brooks as Janine Butcher
- Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell
- Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell
- Natalie Cassidy as Sonia Fowler
- Dayle Hudson as Peter Beale
- Max Bowden as Ben Mitchell
- Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
- Jessie Wallace as Kat Moon
- Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
- Clay Milner Russell as Bobby Beale
- Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
- Gillian Wright as Jean Slater
- Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell
- Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Atkins
- Diane Parish as Denise Fox
- Linda Henry as Shirley Carter
- Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown
- Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
- Shona McCarty as Whitney Dean
- Milly Zero as Dotty Cotton
- Tameka Empson as Kim Fox
- Danielle Harold as Lola Pearce
- Kellie Bright as Linda Carter
- Danny Dyer as Mick Carter
- Lorraine Stanley as Karen Taylor
- Clair Norris as Bernie Taylor
- Tony Clay as Callum Highway
- Roger Griffiths as Mitch Baker
- Ricky Champ as Stuart Highway
- Gurlaine Kaur Garcha as Dr Ash Kaur
- Jaz Dell as Kheerat Panesar
- Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar
- Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar
- Rose Ayling-Ellis as Frankie Lewis
- James Farrar as Zack Hudson
- Barbara Smith as Dana Monroe
- Gwen Taylor as Vi Highway
- Brian Conley as Tom “Rocky” Cotton
- Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe
- Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes
- Heather Peace as Eve Unwin
- Kelsey Calladine-Smith as Jada Lennox
- Omar Lye-Fook as Avery Baker
- Ashley Byam as Finlay Baker
- Matthew Morrison as Felix Baker/Tara Misu
- Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati
And here are the changes to the cast coming soon…
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LEAVING
Peter Beale (Dayle Hudson)
The eldest surviving son of Ian Beale, Peter Beale is a major legacy character but will soon be departing Walford once again.
Actor Dayle Hudson took over the role as the seventh person to portray Peter in 2020, with many of his storylines revolving around Peter’s chaotic love life, difficult relationship with half-brother Bobby Beale and recently being assaulted by his uncle Ben Mitchell.
Now as a love triangle emerges between Peter, Dana Monroe and Bobby, it seems Peter will be waving goodbye after Hudson was reportedly written out by new producer Chris Clenshaw.
Will Peter leave on good terms with the rest of his family?
Omar Lye-Fook as Avery Baker
When is Avery Baker leaving? TBC.
Shortly after arriving in Albert Square in July 2022, Mitch Baker’s estranged brother Avery made quite an impact.
However, it was swiftly revealed in his first week that Avery is dying following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Ultimately, this confirms that Avery’s time on the soap will be short – but will it be sweet between him and his brother Mitch?
Regardless, Avery’s sons Finlay and Felix look to be staying on Albert Square for the foreseeable future.
Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold)
When is Lola Pearce leaving? 2022.
Actress Danielle Harold has reportedly been axed from EastEnders after new executive producer Chris Clenshaw decided not to renew her contract.
The Sun reports that the actress was left emotional over the news as she was also informed that Lola Pearce will be killed at the end of her exit storyline, meaning the character can never return.
A source told the paper: “Danielle was teary but was told a number of the cast were being shown the door.
“No one else has been given their marching orders yet however. The rest of the cast are rallying around her.”
They added: “She handled the news like a true pro and is eager to throw herself into the storyline.”
The BBC and Danielle Harold have yet to publicly comment on the news but both have been approached for comment.
Lola first made her EastEnders debut as Billy Mitchell’s long-lost granddaughter in 2011 before being axed in 2015.
However, the character made a comeback in 2019 along with the recast Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and their daughter Lexi Pearce.
Since her return, Lola’s storylines have focused on co-parenting Lexi with Ben and her doomed romances with Jay Brown and Isaac Baptiste.
Fans will have to wait and see if and how Lola will meet her grisly end, but it has been reported that the character will die after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.
The story will air later this year and has been planned for quite some time.
Jada Lennox (Kelsey Calladine-Smith)
When is Jada Lennox leaving? Summer 2022.Introduced in late 2021 as the mother of Sharon Watts’ granddaughter Alyssa, Jada has been living on Albert Square for a period since.
Despite having found a family with Sharon, her brother Zack Hudson and Martin Fowler, Jada will soon be departing Walford after actress Kelsey Calladine-Smith has reportedly been written out of the soap by producer Chris Clenshaw.
How will Jada depart the Square and will she take Denny Rickman’s daughter Alyssa with her?
Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith)
When is Dana Monroe leaving? Summer 2022.
Another character set to depart Albert Square is Bobby Beale’s first love, Dana Monroe.
Introduced in April 2021, Dana was initially a guest character but grew in prominence on the show as Bobby’s girlfriend and eventually her father Harvey and then brother Aaron were introduced.
Aside from her romance with Bobby, Dana’s storylines have included her difficult relationship with her brother Aaron was involved in far-right terrorist activity.
Now as Dana has grown closer to her ex-boyfriend Bobby’s brother Peter, will Dana leave for university alone or could she leave with Peter instead?
Actress Barbara Smith joins multiple cast members who have reportedly been written out of the soap.
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Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ)
When is Stuart Highway leaving? Summer 2022.Stuart Highway is also set to depart EastEnders after actor Ricky Champ was reportedly written out by new executive producer Chris Clenshaw.
Introduced in 2018 as Mick Carter’s oldest friend and Callum Highway’s older brother, Stuart Highway initially served as a major antagonist as he campaigned to destroy the happiness of the Carter family.
However, once this dramatic storyline came to a close, Stuart has been somewhat rehabilitated as a character and entered into a romance with the troubled Rainie Cross who he later married.
The pair’s quest to have a baby resulted in a surrogacy storyline that coincided with Stuart being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Stuart has struggled with post-natal depression since his son Roland was born and was late to pursue treatment for his cancer.
Recent scenes saw Stuart reach a new low in his downward spiral, sparking his wife Rainie to leave him and Walford with baby Roland.
Will Stuart survive both of his health struggles?
Mick Carter (Danny Dyer)
When is Mick Carter leaving? Christmas 2022.
This is the big one. Pub landlord Mick Carter will depart Albert Square later this year after actor Danny Dyer quit the soap after eight years, having debuted in late 2013.
Recent weeks have seen Mick experience a tumultuous split from wife Linda and grow closer to scheming Janine Butcher. Will Mick be able to mend things with his family before departing the Square?
During a chat with daughter Dani on their Sorted with the Dyers podcast, Danny said: “Let me tell you something – Mick’s exit is going to be a very, very powerful thing. I would love the door to be left open, and as far as I know it is,” he said. “So who knows. When I go out there and I fail miserably I can come back with my tail between my legs and go, ‘Will you take me back?'”
The actor also denied claims he had signed a million-pound deal with Sky during the same chat.
“The big news is I’ve decided not to renew my contract,” he explained. “That’s all. That’s not because I’ve fallen out with anybody – I love everybody. That job has been amazing for me. It’s an important part of television. I’m grateful for the beautiful years I’ve had there. I’m going to miss the people massively. It’s me taking a risk.”
How will we wave goodbye to Mick from the Square? And what will come next for the Carters and the Queen Vic pub?
RETURNING
Alfie Moon (Shane Richie)
When is Alfie Moon returning? Autumn 2022.
Former Queen Vic pub landlord Alfie Moon will be making his return to Albert Square later this year.
Actor Shane Richie will reprise his role as Kat Slater’s ex-husband and the father of her children in the Autumn.
Alfie was last seen fleeing Walford in January 2019 after a financial disagreement with Phil Mitchell – who is now in a relationship with Kat.
The previous month, Kat had discovered that Alfie had fathered a baby with her cousin Hayley Slater named Cherry, destroying any hope for their marriage.
Will Alfie want Kat back and what brings him back to Walford?
Discussing his return to EastEnders, Shane Richie said: “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be asked back to my TV home of Albert Square. I’m looking forward to catching up with some old cast mates and meeting some new ones.
“The new exec producer Chris Clenshaw has been instrumental in wanting to bring Alfie Moon back with some wonderful storylines… and who am I to say no?! I can’t wait.”
Finally, new executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: “Shane Richie created one of the most iconic, loveable and most memorable characters in soap, and to welcome him back to Walford is an absolute pleasure.
“A lot’s happened since Alfie’s been away from the Square but wherever his floral shirts go you can expect fun, frolics and, of course, the odd porky-pie. We’re over the moon to have him home.”
Mo Harris (Laila Morse)
When is Mo Harris returning? Autumn 2022.
Kat Moon’s grandmother Mo Harris will be making a return later this year for a short stint as Laila Morse reprises her role.
The character was last seen departing the Square last year with her love interest Fat Elvis after the character was axed from the soap.
Discussing reprising her role as Mo Harris, Morse has now said: “I always have so much fun playing Mo so I can’t wait to get back to the Square and see what mischief she gets up to this time. I’ve missed my on-screen family so much and can’t wait to see everyone again.”
Will Kat and cousin Stacey be pleased to see Big Mo again after she left piles of cannabis in the garage?
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Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton)
When is Ruby Allen returning? TBC.
Ruby played dirty to get her love rival Stacey banged up, which came back to bite her when she was forced to confess to her husband Martin who ended their marriage and she was carted off to jail herself after Jean framed her for drug dealing. Off-screen, Lytton was written out for maternity leave – she gave birth to a girl, Aura, in August 2021 – and in a neat twist, her character discovered she was expecting as she started her stint behind bars.
Lytton, and Rube (and baby Fowler?), are expected to return at some point in 2022.
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt)
When is Ian Beale returning? TBC.
Walford legend Woodyatt took an extended break from January 2021 when his alter ego fled town after Sharon and Phil tried to kill him for his part in Denny’s death, and there is still no official word on when – or even if – he’ll be back.
The actor has been touring in the play Looking Good Dead, alongside former on-screen wife Laurie Brett, and appeared in the 2021 series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
During conversations in the castle, Woodyatt suggested no decision had been made about returning to EastEnders, and that he wouldn’t be available until April 2022 at the earliest. Have we seen the last of Ian?
Most recently,Woodyatt said on Steph’s Packed Lunch in 2022: “I’ve kind of left, but not left. It’s kind of the way the storyline has gone… I’m not there.”
But when pressed on whether he could go back, the actor cryptically replied: “I could go back, and I could not go back. I don’t know!
“The speculation has been hysterical. I think everyone is always going to speculate.
“But there are no plans at the moment.”
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