EastEnders is heading into the latter half of 2026 with a host of cast changes already confirmed, including the returns of Stacey Slater, Janine Butcher and Sean Slater, alongside the departures of Linda Carter, Johnny Carter and Ravi Gulati.
So far this year, viewers have seen the returns of Joel Marshall (Max Murray) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), while the comeback of Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) is still to come. New arrivals have included Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan), the twin brother of Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), with Nicola Mitchell's (Laura Doddington) family and Denise Fox's (Diane Parish) half brother and niece also expected.
Returns confirmed for Stacey, Janine and Sean
Stacey Slater left Walford for a new life in Brazil after realising she would never escape the ghost of ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye) while remaining in Albert Square. Actress Lacey Turner reassured viewers in a behind-the-scenes video shared to the official EastEnders YouTube channel: 'I am coming back, I won't be long'. Her return is reportedly set for around New Year.
Janine Butcher is set to return for a short stint, according to The Sun, with a source teasing: 'Janine's appearance is going to blow the roof off Albert Square.' The insider added: 'The bosses have several huge stories planned for this autumn, which will all start building towards Christmas. Although Charlie is only reprising her role as Janine for a couple of episodes this time around, her involvement is bound to cause plenty of drama.' The date of her return is currently unknown.
Sean Slater will be returning to Albert Square this year, with actor Robert Kazinsky reprising the role full time for the first time in 17 years. He said: 'I left EastEnders in 2008 as a 23-year-old boy and was lucky to spend the next 19 years of my life working around the world, always championing EastEnders and stating the fact that one day I wanted to walk in Sean's shoes again, but this time as a man to see who Sean the man might also be. I wanted to do it for Sean, I wanted to do it for the fans that have supported me in every role since I left the Square but, mostly, I wanted to do it for me. I'm home, and I can't wait to bring a new level of heartfelt chaos to Albert Square in the way only Sean Slater can.' His return is expected later this year.
Departures confirmed for Linda, Johnny and Ravi
Priya Nandra-Hart made a surprise exit last week, as Sophie Khan-Levy revealed her real-life pregnancy. On a video released by the soap, she said she had been 'so proud and happy' to have been a part of the show, while also teasing: 'Watch this space. Who knows if Priya will make a return.' Priya fled Walford over fears that Max Branning (Jake Wood) would try to take her baby away once he discovered he was the father, and headed to Leeds for a fresh start.
Linda Carter will be leaving Albert Square as Kellie Bright departs her role this year. Kellie said: 'EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye. I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay. I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys.' Her leaving date is currently unknown.
Johnny Carter will also be departing, with an EastEnders spokesperson telling Metro: 'We can confirm Charlie Suff will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.' According to reports, actor Charlie understood that once his co-star Kellie decided to leave, that he would be going too. 'Johnny and his mum Linda have an unbreakable bond so there was no way he would stay in Albert Square without her,' said The Sun. His exit is expected later this year.
Ravi Gulati star Aaron Thiara is reportedly set to leave EastEnders after four years. 'Aaron has been at the centre of some of the soap's biggest storylines since his arrival as bad-boy Ravi back in 2022,' a source told The Sun. 'He's an incredibly popular member of the cast and the fans love him. He's decided to focus on new projects, but will stay on set until the end of the year to see out some juicy storylines his character has in store.' His leaving date is currently unknown, but it is thought he will stay on the show until at least the end of this year.
Kat and Alfie take breaks, Oscar Branning exits
Jessie Wallace will briefly depart the show, as she has been cast as Captain Hook at the New Wimbledon Theatre's panto production of Peter Pan. A source told The Sun: 'Jessie will be taking a short break from the soap to appear in panto. Bosses agreed to the short break because it's over Christmas and won't hugely affect filming. It's a huge bonus for Jessie. She's one of the show's biggest names and can command huge fees for panto appearances.' Her leaving date is currently unknown.
Shane Richie will also be taking a break to perform in panto, having joined the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Cliffs Pavilion theatre in Southend-on-Sea. His leaving date is currently unknown.
The Sun reported that Pierre Counihan-Moullier, who has played Oscar for just over a year, will be bowing out of the show imminently. 'The fans love Pierre, so this is a huge blow to the show,' said a source. 'Viewers are still reeling from the news they are losing Kellie and Aaron, two incredibly popular staples.' Oscar's leaving date is currently unknown.
