EastEnders fans are speculating on the show’s future following the number of cast members ‘jumping ship’ after it was announced Matthew James Morrison will ‘exit’ after three years on the square.
The actor, 32, is best known for his soap character Felix Baker, is the sixth cast member to leave this year. Felix was the soap’s first ever drag queen character with his act Tara Misu.
He arrived three years ago to great aplomb with Matthew saying at the time: ‘I am blessed to have the opportunity to step into the heels of the fierce Tara Misu as part of my role on EastEnders.’
But fans had criticised the soap for not making use of the character and not giving him a significant storyline after the character later became a barman at The Albert and took more of a backseat role.
EastEnders delivers 3.5 million viewers to BBC1 per episode, but despite spending £87 million on a new outdoor set for the show, its loyal viewers fear for its future as it is ‘losing its best actors’.
Expressing their disappointment at the latest departures from the 40-year long running soap, one fan said: ‘They are losing all their best actors. It won’t be worth watching shortly.’
Another said: ‘Why are they getting rid of the good actors? I still can’t believe they got rid of Martin.’
A Facebook user wrote: ‘EastEnders is doing my head in getting rid of all the best actors and killing them off. I won’t watch it when they are gone.’ And another fan asked: ‘What is it with EastEnders wanting to keep killing people off?’
Matthew James Morrison as Felix Baker (left) in EastEnders. The actor is the latest cast member to leave the series
Fans have speculated on the show’s future following the loss of several stars. Many had also criticised the soap for not making use of Matthew’s character (pictured, right)
Felix, played by Matthew, was the soap’s first ever drag queen character with his act Tara Misu
The news of Felix’s departure comes just weeks after Natalie Cassidy also quit the show after nearly 32 years playing Sonia Fowler.
The actress, 41, announced her departure from the BBC soap for good in January, saying: ‘I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited. After another 11 solid years back on The Square, I have decided it’s time to move on to pastures new. EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career, and I will continue to love the show.
‘Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.’
It was also confirmed in January that Patsy Palmer, who plays Bianca Jackson, will be saying goodbye to Albert Square.
Also gone from screens this year was James Bye who played Martin Fowler. The long-term character died after proposing to Stacey Slater in the show’s 40th anniversary live episode.
Viewers watched in horror while paramedics fought to save Martin who had been crushed by a metal beam.
This exodus of major long-term characters has not gone unnoticed by the soap’s fans who’ve questioned the decisions behind those leaving.
‘Is there a valid reason why she has quit?’ asked a viewer, adding: ‘It just seems like all the original legends are disappearing one by one, also Dot’s house was like a shrine of remembrance so what’s going to happen to Dot’s house now that Sonia has quit, is she going to be forgotten about as well.’
Another EastEnders’ Facebook fan site member posted: ‘Really! How many other people are they going to get rid of? It’s getting silly now!!!’
Following the announcement of James Bye’s departure, one viewer wrote: ‘He is leaving. Apparently, loads of the cast are jumping ship for some reason.’
Meanwhile, another watcher said: ‘Wish the BBC would just kill Eastenders. Plot lines are totally unrealistic for a neighbourhood like the Square. Endless affairs, sexual abuse, murder, gangsters and the BBC’s writers all seem to think this is appealing and good?!!’
EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw stepped down last week after three years at the helm, having steered the soap through its 40th anniversary.
He’ll be replaced by former Channel 4 commissioning executive Ben Wadey, who now has the task of steering the show into its next era.
News of Matthew’s departure came after comes just weeks after Natalie Cassidy (pictured) also quit the show after nearly 32 years playing Sonia Fowler
The exodus of major long-term characters has not gone unnoticed by the soap’s fans who’ve questioned the decisions behind those leaving. Pictured: The Queen Victoria pub
It’s unclear if more exits are on the horizon as Wadey prepares to return to the show after overseeing Hollyoaks as Channel 4’s Commissioning Executive for several years.
In 2023, a EastEnders spokesperson played down fans concerns over a fall in numbers from 30 million viewers in its heyday, telling the MailOnline : ‘EastEnders episodes are made live to the audience at 6am every morning on BBC iPlayer giving the audience the choice to watch when and where they choose.
‘So when episodes are moved to a different day, or channel, due to a live sporting event, it is no surprise that this is reflected in the regular overnight audience.
‘Over the last two weeks, EastEnders has been streamed almost 18 million times on BBC iPlayer and remains one of iPlayer’s most popular programmes’
