EastEnders cast 2023

RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders in the coming months.

So who's in? Who's out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders.

The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below.

Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale
Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts
James Bye as Martin Fowler
Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell
Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell
Natalie Cassidy as Sonia Fowler
Max Bowden as Ben Mitchell
Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
Jessie Wallace as Kat Slater
Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
Shane Ritchie as Alfie Moon
Clay Milner Russell as Bobby Beale
Bobby Brazier as Freddie Slater
Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
Gillian Wright as Jean Slater
Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell
Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox
Diane Parish as Denise Fox
Grace as Janet Mitchell
Linda Henry as Shirley Carter
Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown
Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell
Shona McGarty as Whitney Dean
Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell
Tameka Empson as Kim Fox
Lillia Turner as Lily Slater
Frankie Day as Ricky Mitchell
Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon
Isabella Brown as Lexi Pearce
Kellie Bright as Linda Carter
Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Peacock
Elliot Briffett as Bert Moon
Cody Briffett as Ernie Moon
Arayah Harris-Buckles as Pearl Fox
Harry Farr as Ollie Carter
Rocco Brenner as Arthur Fowler
Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Dawkins
Lorraine Stanley as Karen Taylor
Danny Walters as Keanu Taylor
Clair Norris as Bernie Taylor
Isabelle Smith as Hope Fowler
Tony Clay as Callum Highway
Roger Griffiths as Mitch Baker
Kara-Leah Fernandes as Bailey Baker
Mahalia Malcolm as Mia Atkins
Isaac Lemonius as Mackenzie Atkins
Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar
Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar
James Farrar as Zack Hudson
Brian Conley as Tom "Rocky" Cotton
Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe
Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes
Heather Peace as Eve Unwin
Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati
Ashley Byam as Finlay Baker
Matthew Morrison as Felix Baker/Tara Misu
Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes
Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder "Nugget" Gulati
Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar
Jonny Freeman as Reiss Colwell
William Ellis as Theo Hawthorne
Colin Salmon as George Knight
Francesca Henry as Gina Knight
Molly Rainford as Anna Knight

And here are the changes to the cast coming soon...

RETURNING

Jo Cotton (Vicki Michelle)

When is Jo Cotton returning? 12th June 2023.

'Allo! 'Allo! star Vicki Michelle is set to make a comeback to the soap in June as Rocky's ex-wife, Jo Cotton.

The character made her debut earlier this year as Rocky's fiancee Kathy discovered he was already married and the antagonistic Jo rocked up and caused chaos. However, Rocky and Kathy reconciled and Jo departed without signing the divorce papers that Rocky had produced.

However, Jo will be back later this month with a message for Rocky from 'Jasper'. Is Rocky hiding another huge secret from Kathy?

Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin)

When is Lisa Fowler returning? Summer 2023.

Lisa Fowler is set to make a shock comeback for a guest stint in EastEnders.

Actress Lucy Benjamin has confirmed that she will be returning to the BBC One soap for a guest stint.

In her last appearance, Lisa left for Portugal with her daughter Louise and granddaughter Peggy Mitchell in early 2020.

On her comeback, Lucy Benjamin revealed: "I can't wait to make my return as Lisa Fowler again after leaving for Spain with Louise and granddaughter Peggy, back in 2019.

"No doubt, in true Lisa fashion, she will bring with her plenty of drama for many of the characters on the Square, which is why playing her is such a delight."

EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw commented: "We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Lisa back for a short while as she and Peggy cause trouble between the happy couple, Sharon and Keanu."

Benjamin made her debut as Lisa Shaw in 1998, remaining in the soap as a central character until her final exit as a regular character in 2003.

The character since returned for guest appearances in 2010, 2017 and most recently from 2019 to 2020.

Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf)

When is Sam Mitchell returning? Summer 2023.

Actress Kim Medcalf made a temporary exit from EastEnders earlier this year as Sam Mitchell left Walford for a lucrative job opportunity running a hotel in Spain.

After an emotional goodbye to her son Ricky Mitchell, Sam left in the back of a black cab, but she will be making her way back to Walford soon.

As Ricky is expecting the arrival of his daughter with Lily Slater this summer, surely this will be the time for Sam to make her return?

Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt)

When is Ian Beale returning? 2023.

Ian Beale will return to EastEnders in 2023 alongside his presumed dead wife Cindy Beale.

Actor Adam Woodyatt made a surprise return cameo for Dot's funeral in EastEnders as Ian Beale was seen saying a private goodbye to Dot while secretly looking upon the arrivals at Dot's funeral.

After saying his parting words to Dot, Ian was seen on the phone, telling a mystery person that he was returning home.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press in December 2022, EastEnders' executive producer Chris Clenshaw teased that the door remains open for a return for Ian down the line.

Clenshaw teased: “Well, he's on the phone to someone, we know who. I think Adam is a little bit busy at the moment. But he is, you know, Adam is Ian Beale."

Walford legend Woodyatt took an extended break from January 2021 when his alter ego fled town after Sharon and Phil tried to kill him for his part in Denny’s death.

The actor then went touring in the play Looking Good Dead, alongside former on-screen wife Laurie Brett, and appeared in the 2021 series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins)

When is Cindy Beale returning? 2023.

In a piece of sensational news, iconic villainess Cindy Beale will be returning to EastEnders in 2023, played by actress Michelle Collins.

The character was sent to prison in 1998 after previously plotting to kill her husband Ian Beale and later supposedly died off-screen in prison during the birth of her daughter Cindy Jr.

However, viewers will see Cindy back on their screens later this year as part of a return alongside Ian.

Just how is Cindy alive and where has she been? We have a lot of questions!

Shirley Carter (Linda Henry)

When is Shirley Carter returning to EastEnders? TBC.

EastEnders fan-favourite Shirley Carter made a surprise departure from Walford just after Christmas last year following the apparent death of her son Mick Carter.

Deciding there was nothing left for her in Walford, Shirley walked out of the Square with Lady Di the dog to stay with daughter Carly Wicks and her family.

The last we heard of Shirley was in February when we learned that she had also reunited with her previously estranged son Dean Wicks, the man who had raped Mick's true love, Linda Carter.

Actress Linda Henry is taking an extended break from the show and has been off our screens for more than six months now.

However, the BBC confirmed to RadioTimes.com that Shirley has not left the soap for good and will be back.

What will Shirley make of the new family in the Queen Vic, the Knights?

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2023?

The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2023.

DCI Samantha Keeble (Guest)
Ricky Butcher (Guest)
Scarlett Butcher
Edward "Jed" Chadwick (Guest)
Ryan Malloy (Guest)
Dr Ash Kaur
Vi Highway
Emma Harding (Guest)
Jo Cotton (Guest)
Shifty Shiv (Guest)
Roxy Mitchell (Guest)
Duncan Boyd (Guest)
Lola Pearce-Brown

Which characters departed EastEnders in 2022?

The following characters departed EastEnders in 2022.

Iqra Ahmed
Mila Marwa
Kioni Marwa
Gray Atkins
Keegan Baker
Tiffany Butcher
Isaac Baptiste
Aaron Monroe
Nancy Carter
Peter Beale
Avery Baker
Rainie Highway
Roland Highway
Stuart Highway
Dana Monroe
Frankie Lewis
Dr Nina Gupta
Kheerat Panesar
Lofty Holloway (Guest)
Mary Smith (Guest)
Disa O'Brien (Guest)
Ian Beale (Guest)
Colin Russell (Guest)
Barry Clark (Guest)
Lauren Branning (Guest)
Dotty Cotton
Jada Lennox
Alyssa Lennox
Mick Carter
Janine Carter

Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV guide.

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