Cast Update: Who Is Joining, Leaving & Returning? | EastEnders
Cast Update: Who Is Joining, Leaving & Returning? | EastEnders
As EastEnders marches toward a new chapter in 2026, Walford finds itself on the brink of another dramatic transformation. With the soap approaching the end of its landmark 40th year, change is once again the only constant on Albert Square. The closing stretch of 2025 has proven especially unforgiving, and the year ahead promises even more upheaval as familiar faces bow out, new characters step into the spotlight, and long-lost figures from the past resurface in deeply emotional ways.
After a period already defined by seismic moments — from Whitney Dean’s emotional farewell to the arrival of Nicola Mitchell — the show has continued to raise the stakes. The shocking deaths of Nish Panesar and Martin Fowler, combined with Stacey Slater’s sudden departure, have left the Square reeling. Yet, true to form, EastEnders refuses to slow down. Instead, it leans into reinvention, weaving together fresh stories with powerful callbacks to its rich history. Here’s a full spoiler-filled breakdown of who’s joining, who’s leaving, and who may yet return as Walford heads boldly into 2026.
New Arrivals: A Mysterious Figure From Linda’s Past
One of the most intriguing cast additions on the horizon is the arrival of acclaimed British comedy legend Ronnie Anona, who is set to make her EastEnders debut in early 2026. Anona will play Bea, a character shrouded in secrecy and already teased as someone capable of shaking up long-established lives on the Square.
Bea enters Walford through an unexpected doorway: a school reunion that reconnects her with Linda Carter. On the surface, the reunion seems like a harmless blast from the past. But it quickly becomes clear that Bea and Linda remember their shared history very differently. Conflicting accounts of the same events hint at buried secrets, unresolved resentment, and uncomfortable truths that have been simmering for decades.
Producers have teased that Bea’s arrival will force Linda to confront parts of her past she may have long tried to forget. With Linda already emotionally fragile after everything she’s endured, Bea’s presence could either become a source of long-overdue healing — or push Linda toward further heartbreak. Ronnie Anona herself has described Bea as layered, unpredictable, and emotionally complex, making her a perfect catalyst for chaos or catharsis.
Executive producer Ben Wadey has remained tight-lipped, describing Bea only as a “mysterious figure” whose true intentions will slowly unfold. Whether she emerges as a trusted confidante or a dangerous adversary remains to be seen. What’s certain is that her storyline will dredge up old wounds and force Linda into a reckoning that could change her future forever.
Exits: Familiar Faces Say Goodbye
While new characters arrive, others are preparing to leave Albert Square — some quietly, others amid turmoil.
Sam Mitchell: A Brief but Impactful Return
Sam Mitchell’s recent return to Walford may have been short-lived, but it has left a lasting impression. Initially back for the festive period, Sam’s storyline took a dark and deeply personal turn when she discovered a breast lump. The subsequent cancer diagnosis and surgery have added emotional weight to her visit, reminding viewers of Sam’s vulnerability beneath her tough exterior.
Although Sam is expected to survive physically, her emotional scars run deep. Her complicated history with the Mitchell family — particularly Phil and Ricky — remains unresolved. Adding another layer of intrigue is her tense past with Zoe Slater, suggesting this return may not have been solely about illness. There are hints that old grudges and unfinished business could resurface before Sam departs once again.
The biggest question surrounding Sam’s exit is how she will leave. Will she finally make peace with her family, or will she storm out of Walford in typical Mitchell fashion, leaving chaos in her wake? Either way, her departure is unlikely to be forgettable.
Joel Marshall: A Dark Storyline Reaches Its End
Another significant exit comes with the conclusion of Joel Marshall’s disturbing storyline. Joel’s descent into misogyny and violence has been one of the show’s most uncomfortable but impactful arcs in recent years. Following his brutal attack on Vicki Fowler, Joel now finds himself in police custody, abandoned by his father Ross and completely isolated.
As the storyline reaches its grim climax, it’s clear Joel was never meant to remain on the Square long-term. Whether his story ends with a lengthy prison sentence or an even darker fate, his time in Walford is drawing to a close. While difficult to watch, the storyline has sparked conversation and left emotional scars that will linger for those affected long after Joel is gone.
Returns: Walford’s Past Comes Flooding Back
In classic EastEnders fashion, just as characters leave, the past reasserts itself — bringing with it nostalgia, heartbreak, and powerful emotion.
Pat Evans: A Legend Returns
One of the most touching developments ahead is the return of Pat Evans, a true Walford icon. The late character will appear in a special episode centered on Nigel Bates, whose dementia is rapidly worsening. As Nigel’s mind drifts back to the 1990s, familiar faces from his past begin to resurface — including Pat.
Pam St. Clement reprises her role in what has been described as a deeply moving, posthumous appearance. This isn’t a flashy comeback, but a tender, symbolic return designed to comfort Nigel during his most vulnerable moments. Much like Pat’s appearance during Peggy Mitchell’s final episode, her presence here serves as an emotional anchor, offering warmth and reassurance as Nigel’s memories blur.
For longtime viewers, seeing Pat back in the Queen Vic is expected to be an emotional gut punch — a reminder of the show’s rich legacy and the characters who shaped it.
Barry Evans: A Ghost of the Past
Pat won’t be alone in Nigel’s fractured memories. Her stepson Barry Evans will also reappear, despite having died all the way back in 2004 at the hands of Janine Butcher. Shaun Williamson’s return as Barry brings a wave of nostalgia, recalling a more chaotic yet strangely gentle era of EastEnders.
Barry’s presence reflects the way Nigel’s mind clings to formative relationships from his past. Together, Barry and Pat form a comforting — if bittersweet — support system within Nigel’s memories, underscoring the tragedy of his condition while celebrating the enduring bonds that once defined his life.
Debbie Bates: Love, Loss, and Memory
Completing this emotional trio is Debbie Bates, Nigel’s first wife, played by Nicola Duffett. Debbie’s death in 1995 profoundly shaped Nigel’s future, and her return is set to be one of the most poignant moments in the special episode.
Appearing within Nigel’s recollections, Debbie represents love, loss, and the life Nigel once knew. Her return promises scenes heavy with emotion, exploring how memory can both comfort and devastate. The episode is expected to focus on themes of grief, remembrance, and the fragility of identity, offering viewers a beautifully crafted and heart-wrenching installment.
Who Could Still Return? Stacey Slater’s Inevitable Comeback
Although Stacey Slater is currently off-screen, living in Brazil with Sean Slater and her youngest children, her story is far from finished. Actress Lacey Turner has already confirmed that Stacey will return to EastEnders at some point — though no official timeline has been announced.
Given Stacey’s deep roots in Walford and her long history of dramatic storylines, her eventual comeback feels inevitable. Whether she returns amid crisis, triumph, or heartbreak remains a mystery. For now, viewers will have to wait — but when Stacey Slater does step back onto the Square, it’s almost guaranteed to send shockwaves through Walford once again.
A Square in Transition
As EastEnders looks toward 2026, the message is clear: change is coming from every direction. With bold new characters, emotional exits, and powerful returns from the past, the soap is balancing reinvention with reverence for its history. Walford may never be the same again — and that’s exactly the way EastEnders thrives.
One thing is certain: the months ahead promise heartbreak, nostalgia, and explosive drama in equal measure. For the residents of Albert Square, the past is never truly gone — and the future is anything but predictable.