EastEnders cast 2024: everyone leaving, arriving and returning

Louisa Lytton is set to reprise the role of Ruby Allen for a prolonged stint later this year ahead of the 40th anniversary of EastEnders. Ruby left Walford in November 2021 after she was arrested for the Slater cannabis farm when Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) set her up for the crime. At the time, Ruby claimed to be pregnant with Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) child, but Martin refused to believe her having discovered that Ruby had spouted a series of lies which led to Stacey’s (Lacey Turner) false imprisonment.

Speaking on her return, Louisa Lytton said, “I am thrilled to have been asked back to the Square to revisit Ruby once more, and to shed some light on what the past three years have been like for her during her time away from Walford. I’ve always loved playing Ruby as there is never a dull moment and I cannot wait for everyone to see what Ruby has in store.”

After reprising her role as Walford icon of icons Bianca Jackson for a short stint earlier this year, Patsy Palmer will be returning to Albert Square once again in the coming months - and this time she'll have her dad David hot on her tail. Having outed her sister Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) and Sonia's boyfriend Reiss (Jonny Freeman) for stealing money from his comatose wife last time she was in Walford, Bianca has plenty of unfinished business to sort out.

As EastEnders approaches their 40th anniversary, it's been announced that Michael French will be returning to the show as David Wicks for a short stint. "I feel honoured to be asked to reprise the role of David Wicks once again. It may only be a brief visit, but we know from his past that David never fails to create a lot of drama in a very short time," the actor said.

Laurie Brett recently reprised her role as Jane Beale in a shock move that no one saw coming. It was revealed that Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) had been secretly visiting his ex-wife in the Cotswolds as she wanted to reconnect with his youngest son Bobby (Clay Milner Russell). Could Jane's return spark Bobby's exit?

It's been almost 20 years since she left Walford, but Chrissie Watts is on her way back to Albert Square as Tracy-Ann Oberman reprises her role for a short stint. Chrissie was jailed in 2005 for murdering her husband Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) alongside Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), but bosses are keeping the reason for her return under wraps.

"Chrissie Watts was such a great character to play - a victim or a villain. She is a real fan favourite so, when Chris Clenshaw asked me to come back and re-visit her and see what has happened in the last 19 years, I jumped at the chance. The scripts are fantastic and I hope the viewers enjoy her as much as I am enjoying playing her again," Tracy said after her return was announced.

The absolute ICON that is Big Mo is returning to Walford permanently following a number of guest appearances after leaving the Square to go on a cruise with Fat Elvis is 2021. Mo won't be alone when she returns either, as she'll be joined by great-grandson Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier).

“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," Laila said.

It's been over five years since Johnny Carter left Walford for a new life up north, but he's returning to Albert Square and he's got a brand new face. The role of Johnny - Mick and Linda Carter's second eldest son - has been recast, with Charlie Suff taking on the character previously played by Sam Strike and Ted Reilly. It's not yet been revealed what brings Johnny back to Walford, but we're sure mum Linda will be glad to have some more support on the Square.

Speaking about joining the show, actor Charlie said, "I’m so delighted to be joining such an iconic programme - EastEnders was always on at my house when I was growing up. Johnny is a complex character who has been through so much, which I can’t wait to explore. I’ve found EastEnders to be the most kind and loving space to work in, and I already feel like one of the family."

Lauren will be joined by her cousin Penny when she returns to Walford. Jack's daughter has been living in France with her mum Selina for the past 15 years but is set to return to the Square, although viewers will have to wait to find out exactly why.

Kitty Castledine has been cast as Penny in her first major television role after graduating from the London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMDA) this summer. She says, "The inclusion of disabled talent on screen is so important to me as a wheelchair user, so I’m thrilled to be playing a character as feisty and cool as Penny. She’s thrown into the middle of the drama straight away, and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to.”

After making a shock appearance alongside Peter Beale (Thomas Law) in France last year, Lauren Branning is set to follow the Beales back to Walford. Jacqueline Jossa will be reprising the role of Lauren.

After two years as Walford's resident villain, Nish Panesar (played by Navin Chowdhry) has left Albert Square in the back of a police car after his ex-wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal) convinced him to take the wrap for Keanu Taylor's (Danny Walters) murder on behalf of The Six.

An EastEnders spokesperson has confirmed that Clay Milner Russell, who plays Bobby Beale, will be leaving the soap after five years following reports that he wants to pursue other acting roles. The spokesperson said, "We can confirm that Clay will be leaving EastEnders later on this year, and we wish him the best for the future."

It's been revealed that Kim Fox will be leaving Albert Square behind after she's offered a job as a social media manager on a cruise. Her boyfriend Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) will be leaving with her, but fear not as their departure is only temporary and they'll be back on our screens later in the year.

Sam Mitchell only recently returned to Walford, but it's been confirmed that she's made her exit again after exposing brother Phil's one night stand with Lola's mum Emma. Kim Medcalf has bowed out of her role for now, but she's teased that she could return again one day. "Hopefully, she’ll be back again sometime for another stint of causing chaos," she said.

An EastEnders spokesperson recently confirmed that Max Bowden, who joined the show in 2019, will be leaving his role as Ben Mitchell later this year. They added, "We wish him all the best for the future."

Shona McGarty confirmed she's leaving EastEnders last year, 15 years after her first appearance, although she'll still be on our screens until later this year. "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," she said as she announced her departure.

The Mitchell family is getting even bigger as Teddy Mitchell's (Roland Manookian) estranged wife Nicola is set to arrive in Walford. Teddy will be less than impressed to see Nicola, but she's determined to stand her ground and build bridges with sons Harry and Barney. Speaking about her new role as Nicola, Laura Doddington said, "Nicola is a complex woman who comes in like the Tasmanian Devil! She’s strong and completely unapologetic about who she is."

Laila Rouass, who is best-known for her roles in Holby City, Primeval and Footballer’s Wives, is joining EastEnders for a guest stint as a new character, Ayesha.

Ayesha arrives in Walford following an invitation from Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) and her history with him and his ex-wife Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) quickly becomes apparent.

Stevie Mitchell's secret son Teddy and his two sons Harry and Barney will shake things up when they arrive in Walford and come face-to-face with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and Mitchell family head honcho Phil (Steve McFadden).

Legendary actor Alan Ford, who starred alongside Brad Pitt in Snatch, is joining EastEnders as Billy Mitchell's (Perry Fenwick) estranged dad, Stevie. It's been 25 years since Billy and Stevie last saw each other off-screen, but they will come face-to-face once again as the Mitchell family prepare to say goodbye to Aunt Sal. On joining the cast of EastEnders, Alan said, “I feel highly delighted to be playing a character close to my own age in this extremely popular television drama series.”

George Knight is set to make a discovery about his identity following the arrival of his adoptive parents, Gloria and Eddie. They turn up in Walford and drop the bombshell that George was adopted via a process known as farming, which saw children advertised for money for parents looking to give children a home. The news leads George to make a discovery about his heritage which causes him to question the identity his parents impressed upon him since his adoption.