Walford is bracing for a wave of emotional goodbyes, unexpected returns, and major cast shifts as EastEnders roars into its 40th year with dramatic momentum. 2025 promises to be a landmark year, and the changes already underway are setting the stage for some powerful stories to unfold.

After a tumultuous 2024 that saw beloved characters depart and bold new faces emerge, the new year is continuing the trend with headline-making developments. Among the most talked-about is the confirmed exit of Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater. A pillar of EastEnders since 2004, Lacey has decided to take a step back from the role that has earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Though it’s being framed as a break rather than a permanent goodbye, fans are already speculating about how Stacey will make her dramatic exit—and when she’ll return.

According to Turner, it’s simply time for a breather—for both herself and Stacey. As she explained to The Sun, Stacey’s life is rarely short on chaos, so whatever she gets up to during her absence won’t be boring. The production has confirmed that there’s no plan to write the character out permanently, and storylines leading up to her temporary departure promise to deliver intense drama. A rep from the BBC stated that viewers still have plenty of twists to come before Stacey bows out later this year.

Meanwhile, Felix Baker, played by Matthew Morrison, is also preparing to exit the show after a three-year run. Introduced in 2022 as Mitch Baker’s relative, Felix made history as the soap’s first regular drag queen character, also known by his stage name, Tara Misu. Despite the groundbreaking introduction, Felix never received the deeper character development many fans hoped for, being largely relegated to managing The Albert and supporting side characters.

Insiders suggest the decision to cut Felix was a difficult one, but made in the interest of creative direction. With a potential romantic storyline with Johnny Carter still in play, viewers are left wondering whether Felix’s departure will end in heartbreak or open the door for something more meaningful.

As for new arrivals, there are no confirmed cast members joining EastEnders at this time. However, the rumor mill is churning with speculation thanks to Kate Oates, the BBC’s Head of Continuing Drama. After EastEnders won Best Continuing Drama at the 2025 BAFTA TV Awards, Oates dropped a tantalizing teaser: a major return is in the pipeline. While she didn’t name names, she encouraged fans to “let the speculation commence,” ensuring that anticipation is sky-high.

One name that keeps popping up in fan discussions is Shirley Carter, portrayed by Linda Henry. Shirley left Walford at the end of 2022, shattered by the presumed death of her son Mick Carter. She took Lady Di and went to stay with her daughter Carly. However, the offscreen storyline took a dark turn when it was revealed Shirley had reconnected with her estranged son Dean Wicks—the same Dean who raped Linda Carter years earlier. According to Dean, Shirley suffered a breakdown and was institutionalized.

Despite these grim developments, the BBC has maintained that Shirley is not gone for good. In autumn 2023, showrunner Chris Clenshaw reassured fans that Linda Henry was merely on a break, adding fuel to the fire of speculation about her return. If Shirley does come back, her reappearance could send shockwaves through the Square, especially if Dean is somehow involved.

With long-time favorites saying goodbye and the potential for explosive returns on the horizon, EastEnders is proving that even in its 40th year, it has no intention of slowing down. Fans better buckle up—2025 is shaping up to be one of the soap’s most dynamic years yet.