With twists, turns and surprises always round the corner in Albert Square it can be hard to keep track of all the comings and goings in the cast.
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 latest details on cast changes
LEAVING
Tiffany Butcher-Baker (Maisie Smith)
!["eastenders]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/09/23066783-low_res-eastenders-july-september-2021-5735b33.jpg?quality=90&crop=17px%2C29px%2C1967px%2C1310px&resize=620%2C413" "\"EastEnders")
Tiff left town in tears thinking her marriage to Keegan was well and truly over, not realising big brother Liam had intercepted a note asking her hubby to make amends before she left for a fresh start in Germany. Sob. Ex-Strictly star Smith announced her decision to quit the Square in October 2021 having played Bianca’s bolshy daughter on and off since 2008 when the actress was just six years old. EastEnders has left the door open, but for now it’s ta-ra to Tiffany…
Liam Butcher (Alfie Deegan)
!["eastenders]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/12/23545805-low_res-eastenders-october-december-2021-09547cc.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413" "\"eastenders")
Deegan impressed with a star-making performance in British film Perfect 10, then took over the part of Ricky and Bianca’s eldest from James Forde for a guest stint in 2021. Liam has grown up into a bad boy and started a stolen car scam with auntie Janine, then wrecked his sister Tiffany’s marriage to Keegan and convinced her to return to Germany, where he lives with girlfriend Cindy. There’s a good chance we’ll be seeing him in Walford again soon…
RETURNING
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt)
!["eastenders]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/11/21313146-high--63e53f2.jpg?quality=90&crop=34px%2C0px%2C4217px%2C2809px&resize=620%2C413" "\"Eastenders")
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, and there is still no official word on when – or even if – he’ll be back. The actor has been 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! During conversations in the castle Woodyatt suggested no decision had been made about returning to EastEnders, and that he wouldn’t be available until April 2022 at the earliest. Have we seen the last of Ian?
Linda Carter (Kellie Bright)
!["eastenders]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/04/22386918-high--e357924.jpg?quality=90&resize=617%2C413" "\"EastEnders")
L is currently staying away from Walford with mum Elaine to accommodate Bright’s maternity leave. The actress welcomed a son, Rudy, in July 2021, a little brother for Freddy and Gene. Bright was also expecting on screen during her pregnancy and made her last appearance shortly after the Queen Vic landlady gave birth to a daughter, Annie, in September 2021, shortly before Bright did it again for real!
Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton)
!["eastenders]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/08/22909615-low_res-eastenders-july-september-2021-9e7e5b8.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413" "\"EastEnders")
Ruby played dirty to get love rival Stacey banged up, which came back to bite her when she was forced to confess to husband Martin who ended their marriage and she was carted off to jail herself after Jean framed her for drug dealing. Off screen, Lytton was written out for maternity leave – she gave birth to a girl, Aura, in August 2021 – and in a neat twist her character discovered she was expecting as she started her stint behind bars. Lytton, and Rube (and baby Fowler?), are expected to return at some point in 2022.
Vi Highway (Gwen Taylor)
!["eastenders]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/10/23252566-low_res-eastenders-october-december-2021-2d587e2.jpg?quality=90&crop=33px%2C0px%2C1932px%2C1287px&resize=620%2C413" "\"EastEnders")
Vivacious Vi left Walford in shame after admitting she had give away her secret baby who was born with Down’s syndrome, as she couldn’t cope after the dad did a runner. Three decades later she’s ready to track down her son Christopher, but grandson Stuart’s reaction to her abandoning saw him throw his gobby grandma out. EastEnders has confirmed Vi’s departure is temporary and Vi will be back soon.
Frankie Lewis (Rose Ayling-Ellis)
!["frankie]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/05/frankie-eastenders-bc34261.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"frankie-eastenders\"")
The Carters were torn apart when Frankie admitted she almost killed her sister Nancy in a hit and run, then went along with Zack’s idea to cover it up and leave her for dad. After calling a truce with Nance, Frankie decided to leave Walford for a while so the dust could settle, but in real life Ayling-Ellis was given time out to compete in 2021’s Strictly Come Dancing, the first deaf contestant in the show’s history. Her partnership with Giovanni Pernice wowed judges and the public, and the actress is back on screen as Frankie in early 2022.
Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris)
!["eastenders]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/02/22073820-high--4d52f4a.jpg?quality=90&crop=34px%2C0px%2C4174px%2C2781px&resize=620%2C413" "\"EastEnders")
Agreeing to be a surrogate mum for the Highways took its toll on the teen, who feared wannabe mum Rainie was back on drugs and wouldn’t be able to look after the newborn when it arrived. Bernie skipped town in October 2021 to escape the intense situation as Norris announced she was taking a temporary break from the show. Bernadette returns in 2022, but will that be before or after she gives birth to baby Highway? And will she really be able to give up the bubba?
JOINING
Neil Hughes (Thomas Coombes)
!["eastenders]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/12/23632506-low_res-eastenders-october-december-2021-d402b29.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413" "\"eastenders")
Nasty Neil is the ringleader of the sinister far right group Aaron Monroe is affiliated with, and is set to play a big part in EastEnders’ controversial new storyline. He was behind Keegan’s brutal beating and has instructed Aaron to spread the extremist gang’s racist agenda throughout the community – with horrifying consequences. Coombes is best known for Sky Atlantic drama Save Me and the sequel Save Me Too, and has also appeared in Small Axe and White House Farm.