It’s been one hell of a busy time in Walford, with the big 40th Anniversary celebrations sparking plenty of comings and goings in EastEnders over the last year.

Just last month we welcomed back Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) to Walford after a 20 year absence, and her recent scenes have been nothing if not explosive!

This came months after high-profile returns such as Ross Kemp’s Grant Mitchell and a shock cameo from Anita Dobson as original Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts.

We also recently said goodbye to Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison) and Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris), who left Albert Square together in the back of a cab.

Although the big 40th week is now over, there are still set to be more faces popping in and out of Albert Square in the coming months.

Here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving and arriving in EastEnders…

EASTENDERS CAST RETURNS

Max Branning

It was reported in May that love rat Max Branning would be heading back to Albert Square after four years, with EastEnders officially confirming his return earlier this month.

The last time we saw him, Max decided to call time on his life in Walford to join daughter Lauren and grandson Louie in New Zealand.

It later transpired that Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) – who he had an affair with the previous year – was pregnant with their daughter Annie.

It has since been revealed that he has been involved with Zoe Slater. Talk about busy!

He certainly has a lot to catch up on!

Ben Mitchell

Ben Mitchell is set to return to Walford with actor Max Bowden reprising his role after just one year away.

It was confirmed in late 2023 that Max would be leaving the show, with his final scenes airing in March 2024.

His exit storyline saw Ben jailed shortly after he was arrested for committing fraud during a trip to the US.

The mechanic shared a final heart-to-heart with husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) while behind bars before being extradited back to America, where he has been serving his sentence.

He is set to be given leave from prison to return to London for a funeral, it has been confirmed.

‘Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one,’ a source told The Sun. ‘It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.’

When is Ben Mitchell returning to EastEnders? Later in 2025.

Sharon Watts

Letitia Dean is currently on a break from the BBC soap.

Sharon was grappling with the aftermath of her affair with Grant Mitchell – which had been realised by his brother Phil – when her half-sister Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) arrived from Australia.

Phil had hopes of reuniting with her, but that idea was now blown out of the water.

It was explained that she had gone to stay with Jada Lennox (Kelsey Calladine-Smith) as she ‘can’t face’ the upset she felt for Martin.

As viewers of the BBC One soap will remember, Jada is the ex-partner of Sharon’s late son Denny (Bleu Landau), and mother of her granddaughter Alyssa.

Extending her break, she is now staying with old pal Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully).

Jonno Highway

Jonno Highway (Richard Graham) is back on screens next week when he perpetrates a homophobic attack against Eve Unwin (Heather Peace).

The character was last seen on the Square in 2019, and it comes as a surprise to son Callum that he is back.

Callum arrests Jonno for the incident, before Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) encourages the men to talk, revealing to Callum that his father wants to meet him.

However, things take a sudden turn when Jonno collapses and suffers a heart attack.

Stuart Highway

Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) was last on our screens in 2022, when he stole a hearse with wife Rainie Cross and drove off to start a new son with their son, Roland.

Now Ricky is set to reprise his role for what Metro understands is a very short stint, as Stuart returns to Walford for dad Jonno’s funeral.

It has been reported that Stuart’s return will ‘ruffle a few feathers’ – unsurprising, considering the character’s complicated history.