Just when we thought we’d finally recovered from the EastEnders Christmas episodes – which saw Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) attacked with a shovel by a mystery assailant – soap bosses went and delivered even more drama for the 40th anniversary.

The milestone anniversary week delivered plenty of twists and turns, including an explosion at the Queen Vic and some huge returns. Not only did we get Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) back on the Square after nine years, Anita Dobson reprised her iconic role as Angie Wicks for a special cameo.

There was also new arrival after Sonia Fowler gave birth to her daughter Julia and some sad goodbyes when Sonia’s fiancé Reiss Colwell and ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye) were killed in the aftermath off the explosion. Okay, we weren’t that sad about Reiss, but still.

There’s set to be even more comings and goings between now and then end of the year, so we’ve rounded up all the EastEnders residents who will be arriving or returning to Walford and those waving goodbye to Albert Square this year.

Who’s returning to EastEnders this year?

Max Branning (played by Jake Wood)

After much speculation, it’s been confirmed that Jake Wood will be reprising the role of Max Branning. Max left Walford back in 2021 following his affair with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), which resulted in the birth of their daughter Annie. However, Max has no idea that he’s Annie’s father. We’re sure it won’t be long before all is revealed…

Julie Bates (played by Karen Henthorn)

27 years from her last appearance on the show, Karen Henthorn has reprised her role as Julie Bates. Julie returns to Walford to find her husband Nigel (Paul Bradley), who fled from their home in Scotland months ago after being diagnosed with dementia. Nigel has been cared for by Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and it isn’t long before Julie clashes with him.

‘Julie loves Nigel more than anyone else, and she’ll go above and beyond to help him. Phil can be as difficult as he wants to Julie, she’s not going anywhere,’ Karen said.

Oscar Branning (played by Pierre Moullier)

Oscar Branning was just a child when he was last seen in Walford in 2017. He’s now 17 years old and has returned to Walford after a short stint in young offenders for joyriding and being kicked out by his mum, Tanya. Luckily, his sister Lauren has come to the rescue and put him up. But will he turn her life upside down?

Newcomer Pierre Moullier said, ‘It’s pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I’m actually on Albert Square! When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet. Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he’s a complex guy!’

Zoe Slater (played by Michelle Ryan)

It’s been 20 years since Zoe Slater was last seen in Walford and it looks like fans who have been desperate for Michelle Ryan to reprise her role as Kat Slater’s (Jessie Wallace) daughter are about to get their wish. It’s been reported that it’s finally happening, with a source telling The Sun, ‘Bosses have repeatedly reached out to Michelle over the years, but the timing has never been quite right. People are still talking about her character, so it’s a real coup to bring her back.

‘She feels like now is the perfect moment — and there was an exciting script on the table.’

Vicki Fowler (played by Alice Haig)

Following Martin’s death, his niece Vicki – the love child of Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) – will be returning to Walford and she won’t be alone, as she’ll be joined by boyfriend Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his son Joel (Max Murray). Vicki was last seen in 2004 when she left for a new life in Australia with Spencer Moon (Christopher Parker), so her arrival with Ross comes as a surprise to her sister Sharon (Letitia Dean) and Spencer’s brother Alfie (Shane Richie).

Andor and Rain Dogs actor Alice Haig is taking on the role of Vicki, which was last played by Scarlett Alice Johnson. Speaking about her new role, Alice said, ‘I am so excited. I have always watched the show, and I was born in February 1985, so I’m the same age as EastEnders! It’s so cool to be playing a character like Vicki – we think we know her, but a lot has changed. I can’t wait for all the Albert Square drama ahead.’

Angie Wicks (played by Anita Dobson)

In an unexpected turn of events, Angie Wicks (Anita Dobson) was seen in the Queen Vic once again during the 40th anniversary week. No, she didn’t return from the dead like her husband Den, Angie’s reappearance was a figment of her daughter Sharon’s imagination as she lay in the rubble following the explosion. Angie encouraged Sharon to shout for help, which led to her being rescued by Grant.

Grant Mitchell (played by Ross Kemp)

He’s baaaack. Ahead of the 40th anniversary of the show, EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Ross Kemp will be reprising the role of Grant Mitchell and Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw has teased that Grant’s return will be unmissable. Given that his brother Phil (Steve McFadden) is currently struggling, estranged best friend Nigel (Paul Bradley) is back on the Square, and his ex-wife Sharon (Letitia Dean) now dating his long lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), Grant will have plenty of unfinished business to attend to, although exactly what brings him back to Walford is being kept under wraps for now.

‘I’m delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary. EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour. Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross said.

Nigel Bates (played by Paul Bradley)

Paul Bradley reprised his role as Nigel Bates at the end of 2024, returning to Walford on Christmas Eve after 26 years. Nigel left the show in 1998 when he moved to Scotland with his adopted daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), but he’s now back in E20 and has reunited with former pal Phil Mitchell.

Speaking about his comeback, which was kept a secret until it aired, Paul said, ‘I’m thrilled and honoured to be back as Nigel. Despite it being such a long time ago, I still get recognised as Nigel in the street.’

Who’s leaving EastEnders this year?

Freddie Slater (played by Bobby Brazier)

It’s been confirmed that Bobby Brazier has quit EastEnders after three years, which means Freddie Slater will be leaving the Square. ‘We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future,’ a show spokesperson announced.

Bernadette Taylor (played by Clair Norris)

Clair Norris is bowing out of her role as Bernadette Taylor after new soap boss Ben Wadey took over from Chris Clenshaw. ‘Every time a soap gets a new boss they want to make their own changes – it’s nothing personal. The writing has been on the wall for Bernie for some time so it wasn’t really a surprise to Clair,’ a source told The Sun. ‘She was the last Taylor standing and it’s time to close the chapter on them and let Clair go on to do other things.’

An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed, ‘We can confirm that Clair will be leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish her all the best for the future.

Stacey Slater (played by Lacey Turner)

21 years after she joined EastEnders as Stacey Slater, it’s been confirmed that Lacey Turner will be leaving the show. Having given birth to her third child earlier this year, it’s thought that Lacey has quit to focus on her life outside of the show. She told The Sun, ‘It’s time for myself and Stacey to take a rest and who knows what Stacey will get up to in her time away? Knowing Stacey, it will never be boring.’

A BBC spokesperson added, ‘We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year, but there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey’s return when Lacey decides the time is right.’

Martin Fowler (played by James Bye)

We knew that EastEnders bosses were going to pull some shocks out of the bag during the anniversary week, but we definitely didn’t expect Walford icon Martin Fowler (James Bye) to meet his untimely demise during the live episode. Martin saved his ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), who was trapped in the bathroom, but his heroics led to him being crushed by falling debris. Paramedics managed to free him, but he suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of Crush Syndrome and we basically haven’t stopped crying since.

Reiss Colwell (played by Jonny Freeman)

Although he seemed harmless when he first arrived on the Square, Reiss turned nasty when he murdered his comatose ex-wife Debbie in a bid to sort out his financial difficulties before letting pregnant fiancée Sonia take the rap for it. As if that wasn’t enough, he kidnapped Sonia’s sister Bianca and kept her imprisoned in a storage unit for weeks when she discovered the truth. Thankfully, his reign of terror came to an end when he was crushed by a bath tub in the aftermath of the explosion at the Queen Vic.

Nish Panesar (played by Navin Chowdhry)

We thought we’d waved goodbye to Nish for good when ex-wife Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) convinced him to take the rap for Keanu Taylor’s (Danny Walters) murder and he was carted off to the prison in the back of a police car, but he somehow managed to sneak his way out of prison to try and stop Suki’s marrying Eve (Heather Peace).

After poisoning Eve, Nish tried to give himself and Suki a fatal dose à la Romeo and Juliet, but his plans were scuppered when Ravi (Aaraon Thiara) burst in to stop him. After goading his son to hit him, both Nish and Suki fell from a balcony to floor below and he was killed – finally putting an end to his reign of terror over the Panesar family.

Who’s joining EastEnders this year?

Gaz (played by Keith Allen)

Iconic British actor Keith Allen is joining EastEnders for a special episode focusing on Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden)’s mental health recovery. The episode is set across four weeks and will focus on Phil’s journey in the mental health unit from the moment he starts treatment and prepares to face his inner trauma.

Keith will take on the role of Gaz, another patient who befriends Phil. Speaking about his guest role, Keith said, ‘I’ve written a number one hit single, I’ve presented Top of the Pops, I’ve played the lead in the West End and I was at Craven Cottage when we beat Juventus 4-1…Could it get better than that? Well, yes, I’ve just guested in an episode of EastEnders…What a joy! And what an honour to be a part of Steve McFadden’s incredibly moving story line. I may be a resting actor but I now rest in peace.’

Ross (played by Alex Walkinshaw)

Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) won’t be alone when she returns to Walford for her brother Martin’s funeral as she’ll be joined by her boyfriend Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his son Joel (Max Murray). It quickly becomes clear that Vicki and Ross are serious about each other and he’s keen to get to know her family.

Speaking about joining the show, Alex – who is best known for his roles on The Bill, Casualty, Holby City and Waterloo Road – said, ‘I am really excited as I’ve had so many friends on EastEnders throughout the years, and I always hear lovely things about it. The show is top draw drama and I can’t wait to get stuck in. Ross is a decent, hardworking family man, he always puts family first, and he is very in love with Vicki, but it’s not always plain sailing.’

Joel (played by Max Murray)

Newcomer Max Murray will be playing Ross’ son Joel. He said, ‘It’s an absolute privilege and honour to be joining such a wonderful production full of a lovely cast and crew. I’m really looking forward to introducing Joel to EastEnders viewers and telling his story.’

While you’re here, why not look back at the most shocking EastEnders Christmas Day episodes; from Kat and Alfie Moon finally getting their happily ever after to Dirty Den Watts serving Ange those divorce papers.

“Happy Christmas, Ange.”

Never forget.

You could also take a look at the most dramatic Christmas storylines on Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks and believe us when we say the things that have happened over the years in soapland are intense…