“EastEnders: Who’s Leaving, Returning, and Joining?” In this video, we will be discussing the latest news and updates on who’s leaving, returning, and joining the popular British soap opera, EastEnders. Keep up to date with all the drama and excitement surrounding characters like Ben Mitchell, Sharon Watts, Whitney Dean, Mo Harris, and Freddie Slater. Stay tuned to find out what surprises are in store for fans of the long-running series. Don’t miss out on the latest gossip and speculation about your favorite EastEnders characters!
As we continue the year 2024, there will be a host of new arrivals, returns and departures on EastEnders.After the year 2023 saw major exits including the death of Keanu Taylor and the prison exit of Tom “Rocky” Cotton, we can expect some more major changes on the way for the Enders cast.
So who’s in? Who’s out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders.
Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden
When is Ben Mitchell leaving? Spring 2024.
ctor Max Bowden is to leave his role as Ben Mitchell in 2024.
A spokesperson for EastEnders confirmed to RadioTimes.com on Saturday 30th December 2023: “Max will be leaving EastEnders next year. We wish him all the best for the future.”The news comes after The Sun reported that Bowden was being written out of the role.Bowden is the fourth actor to portray Ben as a regular character in the soap, following in the footsteps of Charlie Jones (2006-2010), Joshua Pascoe (2010-2012), and Harry Reid (2014-2018).
The actor took over the role of Phil Mitchell and Kathy Cotton’s son in 2019 and was met with acclaim and became a favourite with fans of ‘Ballum’ following his pairing with Callum Highway, played by Tony Clay.
Ben’s major storylines since Bowden took on the role have included his romance with Callum, Ben’s forays into crime, parenting Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown), parental issues with dad Phil, being the victim of rape, and his subsequent battle with bulimia.Recent months have seen Ben in a better place as he attends therapy for bulimia and supports his grieving ‘brother’ Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick).
It is currently unknown if Ben will leave alone, but will he get a dramatic send-off?
Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty)
When is Whitney Dean leaving? Mid-2024.
Actress Shona McGarty has quit her role as Whitney Dean in EastEnders after 15 years.
The BBC One soap will lose the long-running character early next year as Whitney waves goodbye to Walford – but how will she go?Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, McGarty commented: “I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. 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.”A source told the paper that Shona “is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.”
RadioTimes.com understands that McGarty decided to leave at the end of her contract and she will depart our screens in Spring 2024, meaning fans have months left of Whitney being on-screen.The character debuted in EastEnders in 2008 as she joined the show as the step-daughter of returning fan-favourite Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) alongside the latter’s children, Liam, Tiffany, and Morgan.
Whitney’s biggest storylines have included being the victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of Tony King, being sexually exploited by boyfriend Rob Grayson, being stalked by Tony’s son Leo, her being placed on trial for Leo’s death, the loss of boyfriend Kush Kazemi to serial killer Gray Atkins, and her various doomed romances including to husband Lee Carter.Most recently Whitney entered into a romance with Zack Hudson after the pair terminated the pregnancy of their unborn baby Peach who was diagnosed with Edward’s Syndrome.
The pair later went into fostering together but now face a new journey as Whitney is pregnant by Zack once again.In the run-up to her exit, Whitney will be seen reuniting with her on-screen stepmother Bianca.Speaking to Inside Soap magazine in August 2023, McGarty said: “As a viewer, and after playing her for so long, Whitney deserves a happy ending. The majority of comments online and when I speak to people in the street are along the lines of, ‘When is Whitney going to have her happy ending?’ and I think it’s time.”
When is Big Mo Harris returning? Spring 2024.
EastEnders has confirmed the permanent return of actress Laila Morse in her iconic role as Big Mo Harris.The character left the soap in 2021 but last made a guest appearance in 2022 for granddaughter Kat’s first wedding to Phil Mitchell.Now, Big Mo will be back alongside great-grandson Freddie Slater after an initial return in a TikTok spin-off series.
RadioTimes.com understands that Morse has already started filming, and we can expect Mo’s return to air in the spring.Speaking of her comeback, she said: “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.”
EastEnders’ executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Laila Morse to the role of Mo Harris. Although her time away from the Square has been short-lived, the Slater family has endured a huge amount of drama since she last appeared on screen and Mo’s return will be no different.”We’re delighted to welcome Laila back permanently as she is thrust into the heart of the drama alongside great-grandson Freddie.”While we’ll just have to wait and see what brings Mo back. EastEnders has teased that where Mo goes, trouble inevitably follows. What has she been up to?
