EastEnders stars leaving BBC soap in 2025

The 40th anniversary of BBC soap EastEnders is coming up in February, meaning there’s some big drama ahead in Albert Square.

There’s already been some teasers about what’s to come, with a live episode scheduled, where the audience will have the power to decide the outcome of a love triangle storyline involving Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Jack Branning (Scott Malsen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).

The coincide with the hit soap celebrating four decades on-air, there will also be some characters returning and departing. Here, we take a look at the confirmed arrivals and exits coming up in EastEnders, as well as those rumoured to be making a comeback.

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Stacey Slater

One character who will be exiting Walford at somepoint in 2025 is Stacey Slater, played by actress Lacey Turner.

Details surrounding Stacey’s departure are yet to be shared by soap bosses, but Lacey has confirmed she’s pregnant with her third child with husband Matt, meaning she will be heading off on maternity leave shortly.

Stacey has been left heartbroken after her hopes of reuniting with ex Martin Fowler (James Bye) were scuppered, after the return of his ex Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton). Could she be set to exit Albert Square in the wake of Martin and Ruby’s reunion?

Grant Mitchell

It was the news every EastEnders fan had been waiting for, and the soap has finally confirmed Grant Mitchell is coming back to Walford.

Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as Phil’s brother for a brief stint this year to mark the soap’s 40th anniversary. Details surrounding Grant’s return storyline remain underwraps, but with his brother struggling, new Mitchells having arrived on the Square, and the return of Nigel Bates, it looks like it’ll be action-packed.

Speaking on his return, Ross said: “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.”

Shirley Carter

Shirley exited Walford just after Christmas in 2022, following the death of her son Mick Carter (Danny Dyer). She headed to stay with daughter Carly Wicks and bid farewell to her life in London.

Shirley, played by Linda Henry, had been mentioned on screen over the past couple of years, especially after her troublesome son Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) returned to Walford for a brief stint.

Dean claimed Shirley had experienced a mental breakdown and subsequently hospitalised, but his claims were never proven to be true or false. Shirley’s daughter-in-law Linda (Kellie Bright) tried to call, but couldn’t get in contact with Shirley.

It’s yet to be revealed when we can expect Shirley to return to Albert Square, but it has been confirmed that actress Linda Henry hasn’t left the BBC soap for good. The BBC shared the happy news with RadioTimes at the time of Shirley’s exit.

Chris Clenshaw also told the publication 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.”

Sonia Fowler

Sonia is currently in prison, having been accused of murdering boyfriend Reiss’ (Jonny Freeman) comatose wife Debbie. While viewers know it was actually Reiss who killed Debbie, Sonia is yet to find this out, and her innocence is yet to be proven.

Sonia’s (Natalie Cassidy) return has been confirmed to take place in upcoming scenes, after the character remained largely off-screen since her imprisonment. Sonia’s murder trial will see her take to the stand to plead her innocence, while more drama awaits her and Reiss.

Sonia is currently pregnant with Reiss’ baby and is due to give birth around the time of EastEnders’ 40th anniversary in February, too.

Actress Natalie has revealed how her character is feeling ahead of the trial. She said: “She absolutely cannot believe it, especially when Reiss has been let off because he has an alibi. I think it happens so quickly and in a flash that she’s just desperately scared about the baby and the impact this level of stress and trauma will have on a pregnancy that’s so fragile.

“That’s her main concern, losing her baby or having her baby and them taking it away, like what happened with Bex. She’s worried that history is going to repeat itself.”

Bianca Jackson

EastEnders fans will know Bianca’s been locked up in a storage unit for well over one month now. Having uncovered Reiss’ murder secret, Bianca (Patsy Palmer) found herself in danger as he lured her to the unit and decided to hold her hostage.

She’s remained off-screen ever since, even being absent from Walford’s Christmas celebrations. It’s yet to be revealed what lies ahead for Bianca, but it seems her return isn’t coming anytime soon.

Upcoming scenes see Sonia take to the stand at her murder trial, and despite telling Reiss she needs Bianca at the trial for support, she’s nowhere to be seen. Could murderous Reiss have struck again?

Actress Patsy Palmer returned to EastEnders in 2024 initially as part of step-daughter Whitney Dean’s (Shona McGarty) exit storyline. She then came back again, this time looking for sister Sonia.

EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm. Episodes are available to stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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