EastEnders has seen a flurry of cast changes in 2026, with several returns, exits and new arrivals confirmed. Among the notable comebacks are Sharon Watts, Gray Atkins, Joel Marshall and Stacey Slater, while Kat Slater, Alfie Moon and Zoe Slater are set to depart. New character DC Craig Ingram, played by former Hollyoaks star Matthew James-Bailey, will also join the square.
Sharon Watts Returns Full-Time
Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) has officially returned to Walford after being away since the end of 2025. She briefly appeared for Vicki Fowler's wedding and told Phil Mitchell she would be back properly once she tied up loose ends in America. Her full-time comeback occurred in July 2026.
Gray Atkins Returns for Storyline with Chelsea
Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), the abusive murderer who killed Chantelle Atkins, Tina Carter and Kush Kazemi, has returned in June 2026. His comeback is part of a storyline involving Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) meeting Gray's gran Sheila.
Joel Marshall's Return Brings Trouble
Joel Marshall (Max Murray) left Albert Square after a six-month custodial sentence for attacking Vicki Fowler and committing crimes against Avani Nandra-Hart. His return in July 2026 is set to cause major problems, with spoilers indicating he will be attacked.
Stacey Slater to Return from Brazil
Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) left Walford for Brazil to escape the memory of Martin Fowler. Lacey Turner assured fans in a behind-the-scenes video: 'I am coming back, I won't be long.' The exact date of her return is currently unknown.
New Arrival: DC Craig Ingram
Matthew James-Bailey, formerly of Hollyoaks, has joined EastEnders as DC Craig Ingram, a younger colleague of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) brought in to take over his workload. He will arrive over the summer.
Kat Slater and Alfie Moon Depart for Panto
Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater) and Shane Richie (Alfie Moon) are both leaving the soap temporarily for panto roles. Jessie will play Captain Hook at the New Wimbledon Theatre, while Shane joins Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea. Their exit dates are unknown.
Zoe Slater Killed Off
Michelle Ryan is leaving her role as Zoe Slater, with the character expected to be killed off. The departure date is currently unknown.
Full EastEnders Cast List 2026
The current regular cast includes: Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale, Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts, Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale, Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler, Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale, Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell, Thomas Law as Peter Beale, Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell, Jessie Wallace as Kat Slater, Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater, Laila Morse as Mo Slater, Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman, Shane Richie as Alfie Moon, Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman, Gillian Wright as Jean Slater, Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell, Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox, Diane Parish as Denise Fox, Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning, Scott Maslen as Jack Branning, Pierre Counihan-Moullier as Oscar Branning, Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning, Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell, Tameka Empson as Kim Fox, Lillia Turner as Lily Slater, Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon, Kellie Bright as Linda Carter, Charlie Suff as Johnny Carter, Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Peacock, Stephen Aaron-Sipple as Mark Fowler Jr, Tony Clay as Callum Highway, Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar, Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar, James Farrar as Zack Hudson, Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe, Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes, Heather Peace as Eve Unwin, Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati, Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes, Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder 'Nugget' Gulati, Colin Salmon as George Knight, Francesca Henry as Gina Knight, Sophie Khan Levy as Priya Nandra-Hart, Aaliyah James as Avani Nandra-Hart, Elijah Holloway as Harry Mitchell, Lewis Bridgeman as Barney Mitchell, Dayo Koleosho as Kojo Asare, Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell, Alex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall, Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher, Joshua Vaughan as Josh Goodwin. Recurring cast includes Grace as Janet Mitchell, Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell, Frankie Day as Ricky Branning, Isabella Brown as Lexi Pearce, Elliot and Cody Briffett as Bert and Ernie Moon, Arayah Harris-Buckle as Pearl Fox, Jake McNally as Louie Beale, Harry Farr as Ollie Carter, Rocco Brenner as Arthur Fowler, Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Dawkins, Isabelle Smith as Hope Fowler, Maylo Miller as Mica Fox, Arthur Gentleman as Albie Watts, Jane Slaughter as Tracey, Ulric Browne as Winston, Liz Sweet as Marie Evans, Ben Champniss as Shrimpy, and Ronni Ancona as Bea Pollard.
