All the latest updates in Albert Square you need to stay informed about.
After a dramatic year, EastEnders has now entered its landmark 40th year in 2025, bringing with it a wave of character arrivals, comebacks, and farewells.
In 2024, the show underwent major shifts, including the emotional exit of Whitney Dean after 15 years and the introduction of new family figure Nicola Mitchell in November.
RadioTimes.com brings you a complete guide to the latest updates on who’s joining, who’s leaving, and who’s making a return to Albert Square in the near future.
Curious about the current cast shake-ups and swirling rumours? Here’s everything you need to know about the latest EastEnders cast changes.
When is Stacey Slater leaving? 2025.
Lacey Turner has been confirmed to be leaving EastEnders later this year.
The fan-favourite actress is set to take a break from the soap this year to focus on life outside the show, having made her debut as Stacey Slater in 2004.
Lacey told The Sun: “It’s time for myself and Stacey to take a rest and who knows what Stacey will get up to in her time away? Knowing Stacey, it will never be boring.”
However, fans can expect Stacey to return…
An EastEnders spokeswoman told the paper: “We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year, but there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey’s return when Lacey decides the time is right.”
RadioTimes.com has reached out to the BBC for additional comment on this story.
How will Stacey wave goodbye to Walford?
Felix Baker (Matthew Morrison)
When is Felix Baker leaving? Mid-2025.
EastEnders has confirmed that Felix Baker is being written out of the soap after three years of Matthew Morrison in the role of the groundbreaking character.
Felix and his drag persona Tara Misu have been the first regular character in the soap to be a drag queen.
The character was introduced as a relative of Mitch Baker in 2022 alongside his father, Avery, and brother, Finlay, with Avery swiftly being killed off and Finlay being written out of the soap after a year in Walford.
Unfortunately, Felix has not been given much of a storyline aside from his job managing The Albert, a memorable showdown with Phil Mitchell, and supporting friends Chelsea Fox and relative Bernadette Taylor.
A source told The Sun: “It’s never an easy decision for bosses when they have to make the decision for a character to leave.
“Matthew has been great, but bosses felt the time was right to say goodbye to Felix.”
A BBC spokesperson confirmed: “We can confirm that Matthew will be leaving EastEnders later in the year. We wish him all the best for the future.”
In the run-up to his exit from the soap, the show is exploring a potential romance between Felix and Johnny Carter.
Who is joining EastEnders?
At present, no new cast members have been confirmed or reported for EastEnders.
REPORTEDLY RETURNING
Max Branning (Jake Wood)
When is Max Branning reportedly returning? 2025.
It’s been a long time coming but it appears that Walford legend Max Branning is set to make a return to EastEnders later this year.
The Sun reports that actor Jake Wood will reprise the role of Max after last being seen in the soap back in 2021.
A source told the paper: “Jake’s return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show.
“It’ll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. Bosses are excited about what his character’s reappearance means for spicing up the plots.”
The BBC declined to comment on the report when approached by RadioTimes.com.
Max was last seen fleeing Walford after failing to win Linda Carter’s heart following their extramarital affair as she chose husband Mick Carter.
Since his exit, Max has been mentioned multiple times, having taken back his granddaughter Abi Branning Jr. and falling out with daughter Lauren Branning before her return when he repeated history by sleeping with her best friend.
Unbeknowst to Max, he has another daughter in Walford in the form of Linda’s young daughter, Annie Carter.
Plus, will Max see old flame Stacey before she departs Walford?
Who else could return?
Shirley Carter (Linda Henry)
When is Shirley Carter returning to EastEnders? TBC.
EastEnders fan-favourite Shirley Carter made a surprise departure from Walford just after Christmas in 2022 following the apparent death of her son Mick Carter.
Deciding that there was nothing left for her in Walford, Shirley walked out of the Square with Lady Di the dog to stay with daughter Carly Wicks and her family, having said goodbye to friends Jean Slater and Denise Fox.
We then heard of Shirley in February 2023 when we learned that she had also reunited with her previously estranged son Dean Wicks off-screen, the man who had raped Mick’s true love, Linda Carter.
When Dean made his horrific return on Halloween, he claimed that Shirley had experienced a mental breakdown and had been institutionalised and after Linda wasn’t in contact with her, changed her number and wanted nothing to do with her.
Linda was distrustful of Dean’s claims but was unable to get through to Shirley, meaning her fate remains mysterious.
Actress Linda Henry is taking an extended break from the show and has been off our screens for over two years. Since then, Shirley’s son Dean finally admitted that he raped Linda Carter back in 2014 and has now been sentenced to nine years in prison.
However, the BBC confirmed to RadioTimes.com at the time of her exit that Shirley had not left the soap for good and would return.
Chris Clenshaw also told us in Autumn 2023: “So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show.
“But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick’s disappearance, it won’t have been the last you see of her. I can say that for sure.”
Will we ever see Shirley Carter again?
Which characters departed EastEnders in 2025?
Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024?
Which characters departed EastEnders in 2023?
Which characters departed EastEnders in 2022?
