EastEnders cast 2025: everyone leaving, arriving and returning

There's a lot of coming and going in Walford

Natalie Cassidy as Sonia Fowler, Anita Dobson as Angie Wicks and Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler

by Nathan Katnoria |
Updated on

Just when we thought we’d finally recovered from the EastEnders Christmas episodes – which saw Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) attacked with a shovel by a mystery assailant – soap bosses went and delivered even more drama for the 40th anniversary.

The milestone anniversary week delivered plenty of twists and turns, including an explosion at the Queen Vic and some huge returns. Not only did we get Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) back on the Square after nine years, Anita Dobson reprised her iconic role as Angie Wicks for a special cameo.

Martin Fowler on EastEnders
Martin was killed off in the Queen Vic explosion ©BBC

There was also new arrival after Sonia Fowler gave birth to her daughter Julia and some sad goodbyes when Sonia’s fiancé Reiss Colwell and ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye) were killed in the aftermath off the explosion. Okay, we weren’t that sad about Reiss, but still.

There’s set to be even more returns in the wake of Martin’s death, so we've rounded up all the EastEnders residents who will be arriving or returning to Walford and those waving goodbye to Albert Square this year.

Who's returning to EastEnders this year?

Vicki Fowler (played by Alice Haig)

Max Murray as Joel, Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler and Alex Walkinshaw as Ross on EastEnders
Vicki will have company when she returns to Walford ©BBC

Following Martin's death, his niece Vicki - the love child of Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) - will be returning to Walford and she won't be alone, as she'll be joined by boyfriend Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his son Joel (Max Murray). Vicki was last seen in 2004 when she left for a new life in Australia with Spencer Moon (Christopher Parker), so her arrival with Ross comes as a surprise to her sister Sharon (Letitia Dean) and Spencer's brother Alfie (Shane Richie).

Andor and Rain Dogs actor Alice Haig is taking on the role of Vicki, which was last played by Scarlett Alice Johnson. Speaking about her new role, Alice said, 'I am so excited. I have always watched the show, and I was born in February 1985, so I’m the same age as EastEnders! It’s so cool to be playing a character like Vicki - we think we know her, but a lot has changed. I can’t wait for all the Albert Square drama ahead.'

Angie Wicks (played by Anita Dobson)

Angie Wicks on EastEnders
Anita Dobson returned as Angie during the 40th anniversary week ©BBC

In an unexpected turn of events, Angie Wicks (Anita Dobson) was seen in the Queen Vic once again during the 40th anniversary week. No, she didn't return from the dead like her husband Den, Angie's reappearance was a figment of her daughter Sharon's imagination as she lay in the rubble following the explosion. Angie encouraged Sharon to shout for help, which led to her being rescued by Grant.

Grant Mitchell (played by Ross Kemp)

Ross Kemp as Grant Mitchell on EastEnders
Ross Kemp is reprising the iconic role of Grant ©BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

He's baaaack. Ahead of the 40th anniversary of the show, EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Ross Kemp will be reprising the role of Grant Mitchell and Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw has teased that Grant's return will be unmissable. Given that his brother Phil (Steve McFadden) is currently struggling, estranged best friend Nigel (Paul Bradley) is back on the Square, and his ex-wife Sharon (Letitia Dean) now dating his long lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), Grant will have plenty of unfinished business to attend to, although exactly what brings him back to Walford is being kept under wraps for now.

'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,' Ross said.

Nigel Bates (played by Paul Bradley)

Nigel Bates on EastEnders, played by Paul Bradley
Nigel's back after over two decades ©BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Paul Bradley reprised his role as Nigel Bradley at the end of 2024, returning to Walford on Christmas Eve after 26 years. Nigel left the show in 1998 when he moved to Scotland with his adopted daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), but he's now back in E20 and has reunited with former pal Phil Mitchell.

Speaking about his comeback, which was kept a secret until it aired, Paul said, 'I'm thrilled and honoured to be back as Nigel. Despite it being such a long time ago, I still get recognised as Nigel in the street.'

Who's leaving EastEnders this year?

Martin Fowler (played by James Bye)

Martin Fowler on EastEnders
Martin died after being crushed by debris from the explosion ©BBC

We knew that EastEnders bosses were going to pull some shocks out of the bag during the anniversary week, but we definitely didn't expect Walford icon Martin Fowler (James Bye) to meet his untimely demise during the live episode. Martin saved his ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), who was trapped in the bathroom, but his heroics led to him being crushed by falling debris. Paramedics managed to free him, but he suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of Crush Syndrome and we basically haven't stopped crying since.

Reiss Colwell (played by Jonny Freeman)

Jonny Freeman as Reiss Colwell on EastEnders
Reiss was killed off during the 40th anniversary week ©BBC

Although he seemed harmless when he first arrived on the Square, Reiss turned nasty when he murdered his comatose ex-wife Debbie in a bid to sort out his financial difficulties before letting pregnant fiancée Sonia take the rap for it. As if that wasn't enough, he kidnapped Sonia's sister Bianca and kept her imprisoned in a storage unit for weeks when she discovered the truth. Thankfully, his reign of terror came to an end when he was crushed by a bath tub in the aftermath of the explosion at the Queen Vic.

Nish Panesar (played by Navin Chowdhry)

EastEnders' Nish Panesar, played by Navin Chowdhry
We've seen the last of Nish ©BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

We thought we'd waved goodbye to Nish for good when ex-wife Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) convinced him to take the rap for Keanu Taylor's (Danny Walters) murder and he was carted off to the prison in the back of a police car, but he somehow managed to sneak his way out of prison to try and stop Suki's marrying Eve (Heather Peace).

After poisoning Eve, Nish tried to give himself and Suki a fatal dose à la Romeo and Juliet, but his plans were scuppered when Ravi (Aaraon Thiara) burst in to stop him. After goading his son to hit him, both Nish and Suki fell from a balcony to floor below and he was killed - finally putting an end to his reign of terror over the Panesar family.

Who's joining EastEnders this year?

At the time of writing, no new cast members have been announced. However, if we know the EastEnders producers like we think we do, it probably won't be long before they introduce some fresh faces to Albert Square.

While you're here, why not look back at the most shocking EastEnders Christmas Day episodes; from Kat and Alfie Moon finally getting their happily ever after to Dirty Den Watts serving Ange those divorce papers.

"Happy Christmas, Ange."

Never forget.

You could also take a look at the most dramatic Christmas storylines on Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks and believe us when we say the things that have happened over the years in soapland are intense...

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