All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026

 

We’re nearly half way through 2026, and we’ve already seen plenty of cast changes in EastEnders, and there’s still more to come!

So far, we’ve witnessed the glorious returns, and departures, of Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) and Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell), while we also welcomed back the final piece of the Mitchell puzzle, Grant (Ross Kemp).

We were introduced to Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona), an old school friend of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan), the twin brother of Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and son of Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).

We’ve also said heart breaking goodbyes to loveable Nigel (Paul Bradley) and his wife, Julie Bates’ (Karen Henthorn).

Changes to come include the re-emergence of twisted incel Joel Marshall (Max Murray), serial killer Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), and the always iconic Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).

With things constantly fluctuating in Walford, here’s what we currently know about who is returning, leaving and arriving in EastEnders…

EastEnders cast returns

Sharon Watts

Oh, thank goodness. Sharon is coming home.

The beloved character returned to our screens this week, after being away from Walford since the end of 2025.

Sharon was in town for Vicki Fowler’s (Alice Haig) wedding, and shared in a chat with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) that she’d be back properly in a month or so, once she’s tied up some loose ends in America.

When is Sharon returning to EastEnders? In about a month.

Gray Atkins

Gray, the vicious abuser who ultimately killed his long-suffering wife, Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer), before going on to murder Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) and Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami) was last seen being carted off to begin a long stretch inside for his crimes.

While believed to still be inside, we will be seeing the psychotic killer again.

According to reports, Gray will re-emerge and have a direct impact on the life of his ex-wife, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams)

When is Gray Atkins returning to EastEnders?

Currently, the date of Gray’s return is unknown.

Joel Marshall

Joel left Albert Square after being handed a six month custodial sentence following his vicious attack on Vicki and his twisted crimes against Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James).

While he’s remained off-screen since, the aftershock of his sick behaviour has continued to affect Vicki and Joel’s dad, Ross Marshall’s (Alex Walkinshaw) relationship.

An EastEnders spokesperson recently said: ‘We can confirm that Max Murray will be returning to EastEnders’, though gave no further details.