ONE iconic Walford face revealed they will be leaving the fictional borough after two years.
However, new arrivals are making their way to EastEnders. Here's what you need to know.
Tom "Rocky" Cotton (Brian Conley) – leaving
Will Kathy Beale (played by Gillian Taylforth) get her heart broken once again?
The Square stalwart tied the knot with Rocky Cotton after pushing through many obstacles and was blindsided by his former wife Jo who revealed they weren't officially divorced.
While the lovebirds managed to get themselves out of a difficult situation with Jo by sacrificing a part of the Beale family empire, more trouble will be coming to the couple.
Brian Conley was confirmed to be leaving the BBC One show on September 12, 2023, and his exit is due to be aired later this year.
The Sun reported the actor and comedian unexpectedly quit his role as the rogue Rocky and the abrupt exit will have an impact on the upcoming Christmas murder storyline, teased back in February.
The BBC released a statement amid rumours of a rift behind the scenes and claimed the departure had actually been planned "for some time."
"There is absolutely no truth in any claims of a feud with bosses and the show fully support Brian in his decision to leave which was made some time ago", the statement reads.
"We wish him the best of luck for the future as we continue to work towards his exit storyline which has been in the works for some time."
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Meanwhile, a source told The Sun that Brian's decision to leave left soap bosses fuming as they worked out a new outcome for their whodunnit scheduled to unravel during the festive period.
"There has been a lot said in private about him messing up their plans", the source said.
"Whatever has wound him up, it feels like he can’t get out of there quick enough – and now they’re going to have to rewrite their storyline plans for his rapid exit.’
"There was always a plan for a major death at Christmas — but it wasn’t initially going to be this."
"If Brian wants out, it makes sense to switch it around. There’s time to do that before they start filming the Christmas storylines."
With Brian due to leave the long-running soap at the end of the year, could he be the one to meet his demise?
Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) – joining
Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) will be getting an unexpected family reunion after the disappearance of his son Nugget.
Sixth Commandment star Sophie Khan Levy is joining the line-up as Ravi's long-lost love… and the mother of young Nugget.
But it will soon be revealed that the lad isn't their only child as they share a secret daughter named Avani.
The news is due to cause a stir in Walford and a massive shock to Ravi who has no clue he is the father of two children.
While he is known for his devious deeds in the Square, Ravi's past remains shrouded in mystery.
Could Priya and Avani be the answer to all our questions about him?
Soap boss Chris Clenshaw announced the newcomer by saying: "We’re excited to introduce Priya and Avani, two women guaranteed to cause big drama in Albert Square. Little is known about Ravi and Priya’s doomed romance, but she’s a big missing piece in his past."
"The revelation that he’s got another child will floor Ravi, and he is set to face a big challenge in his life when he is forced to cope with such a big shock to the system. We’re delighted to welcome Sophie and Aaliyah to the EastEnders family."
Sophie Khan Levy added: "I’m super excited to be joining the show, and I can’t wait to see what trouble Priya gets herself into! I watched EastEnders when I was growing up, so to see so many familiar faces and to walk onto the set is a dream come true."
Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) – joining
As mentioned above, Priya won't be rocking up to the Square alone and will be joined by her teenage daughter Avani, portrayed by Aaliyah James.
Prior to her EastEnders debut, airing in October, 2023, Aaliyah was seen in the TV series Inside Man where she played the role of a train passenger.
"To be given this opportunity as my official debut to screen is a true blessing. I have found home in the supportiveness of the cast and crew, and I’m very thankful to feel a part of the EastEnders family already.
"I can’t wait to bring Avani to life and to walk her path in Walford, and I’m excited to see what the universe has planned for my own future."
How will her arrival play out?
Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) – leaving
Lorraine Stanley took on the role of Karen Taylor for the first time in 2017 and her on-screen family followed suit.
But after six years on our screens, the fan favourite will be written out of the long-running show later this year.
"It’s always a tough call for bosses when deciding which characters will leave the soap, but it has to be done to keep storylines fresh and create new arcs for characters", a source told The Sun.
"Lorraine had a great run on the soap and was a real scene stealer with her comic timing and she has certainly made her mark with fans."
Taking to Instagram after the news of her exit leaked, Lorraine wrote: "Hey everyone! I’m so grateful for all of your lovely messages this past week. Thank you to Daran Little for creating the Taylors and to the BBC for giving me the opportunity to play such a fabulous character."
"I’ll be sad to be saying goodbye to Karen Taylor and will miss all the cast and crew at Eastenders."
"However I’m looking forward to my next chapter and excited about being a jobbing Actor again & starting new ventures".
Theories have been circulating online about Karen's upcoming exit with many fans speculating she may leave for Germany to be with her son Keegan.
Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) – leaving
Another soap legend is due to make her exit from the Square after 15 years.
Whitney Dean star Shona McGarty will be waving goodbye to Walford early next year and fans are begging soap bosses to give her the happy ending she deserves after being put through the wringer.
"I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show", Shona told The Sun on Sunday.
"I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships — and family — which will endure."
According to one source, the soap star "is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters."
Caz (Bryony Afferson) – joining
But while it's the end of the road for some, others are just beginning their stint in the Square.
Eve Unwin (portrayed by Heather Peace) is due to get the shock of a lifetime when a woman from her past named Caz shows up in Walford.
Totally Frank actress Bryony Afferson makes her debut on the BBC One soap as Caroline aka Caz who is looking for Eve under the name "Amanda."
How will Suki Panesar react, weeks after ending her romance with Eve?
What are Caz's motives?
Speaking about the arrival of the new character, Heather Peace teased: "It's a massive chunk of Eve's history coming back to haunt her, and this is pretty much the most shocking person she could bump into."
How will it play out?
Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit) – returned
Former Holby City and Emmerdale star Patsy Kensit made her debut in the London-based drama as Lola Pearce-Brown's long-lost mother.
Her on-screen alter ego Emma Harding reconnected with Lola as the young mother battled a terminal brain tumour.
Unable to cope with the stress, Emma abandoned her daughter again but made a small appearance for her funeral.
While it's understood she will not be returning to Walford in a regular capacity and the BBC declined to comment, Patsy herself seemed to confirm she'll be back on the show with an Instagram post.
"Someone has just been in Walford", she captioned.
Her return was shown on our screens in September, 2023, but she was far from celebrated in Albert Square.
Emma made it clear to her daughter's widower Jay Brown she was adamant on bonding with Lexi.
The mechanic, on the other hand, is far from keen on giving Emma access to the young girl.
To top it all off, Emma also stirred up trouble for Phil Mitchell as the pair romped in Peggy's – while the tough man's engagement with Kat Slater was hanging in the balance.
Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin) – left
More than three years after her departure from the BBC One program, Lisa Fowler came back with a vengeance and her granddaughter Peggy Mitchell Jr.
Lucy Benjamin reprised her role on Monday, July 10, 2023, and the schemer has been trying to play tricks on Keanu Taylor as payback for his poor treatment of her daughter Louise.
But the actress was only due to appear for a guest stint as her on-screen alter ego struggles with a gambling addiction.
Lucy Benjamin made her debut as Lisa Fowler in 1998 and left the show as a regular character in 2003.
She has since made several guest appearances in 2010, 2017 and from 2019 to 2020.
Lisa Fowler was seen leaving the Square once again in a hurry with Peggy Jr in tow and Keanu was devastated.
Will she ever return?
Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) – returned
Actress Angela Wynter has agreed to return to EastEnders as Patrick Trueman's ex-wife Yolande later this summer.
The Walford legend left earlier this year to reunite with his old flame after their split in 2008.
Speaking about her return, Angela said: "Yolande is back in the Square! I have been really looking forward to playing her again and have had a beautiful time on set so far. I can’t thank the cast and crew enough for the warm welcome back!"
Soap producer Chris Clenshaw added: "I’m thrilled to welcome the immensely talented Angela back to the role of Yolande Trueman."
"Although we haven’t seen Yolande for some years, her departure from the Square and the breakdown of her marriage to Walford’s living legend, Patrick, left some unfinished business between the pair.
"We, therefore, thought it was important to explore a reunion between the two. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her back!"
Yolande made her return to Albert Square on August 7, 2023, after six years of absence.
Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) – returning
A heartbroken Shirley Carter left Walford after her son Mick supposedly vanished and died at sea on Christmas Day 2022.
The fan favourite walked out with Lady Di the dog to stay with her daughter Carly Wicks, which led to her reconnecting with her rapist son Dean to Linda Carter's horror.
Actress Linda Henry is taking an extended break from filming but the BBC confirmed her exit isn't final.
When will she return?
And how will she react to the many changes in The Vic?
Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) – returning
The youngest of the Mitchell siblings returned to Walford in explosive scenes in April, 2022, six years after she was last seen (portrayed by Danniella Westbrook) during her mother Peggy's funeral.
Sam shook things up as soon as she returned, even going head to head with her long-term foe Sharon Watts.
She got very close to a fresh start in Germany with Ricky Butcher but eventually stayed behind to support her son Ricky Branning cope with the idea of fatherhood.
But earlier in 2023, Sam got the offer of a lifetime from another former fiancé, Don.
The latter asked her to be at the reigns of a business in Spain and, realising the money could help Ricky Jr. with the arrival of his baby, Sam decided to leave Walford.
Recent reports revealed that Sam's exit isn't permanent and she could make a comeback in upcoming months.
How will it play out?
Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) – returned
Soap bosses announced that Elaine Peacock will be returning to the Square but she isn't played by the actress BBC One viewers have been accustomed to see on their screens.
Calendar Girls and The Brittas Empire star Harriet Thorpe took over the role of Elaine from Swiss actress Maria Friedman.
Elaine, "a powerhouse of a land-lady who knows just how to have fun" as she was described by soap producer Chris Clenshaw, is helping out her vulnerable daughter Linda in The Vic.
Her return also marked the arrival of three new faces.
George Knight (Colin Salmon) – joined
Elaine was last seen in Albert Square in 2017 and Linda last saw her mother when she was working behind her bar during the festive period in 2021.
In the time that has gone by, Elaine has managed to find herself a beau in the form of newcomer George Knight.
James Bond star Colin Salmon joined the EastEnders line-up as the new Vic resident, described as "a charming rogue and an old-school gent who dotes on his two daughters" by Chris Clenshaw.
He arrived with his two adult daughters in tow.
Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) – joined
Gina is George's oldest daughter and moved into The Queen Vic pub alongside her father, her sister and Elaine Peacock.
Viewers were warned that she may ruffle a few feathers upon her arrival as Chris Clenshaw described Gina as "feisty, determined and demanding."
2.0 Lucy actress Francesca Henry has been chosen to portray the character and is overjoyed to be part of the EastEnders line-up.
"I wish I could tell younger me that one day I would be joining the show that I watched religiously every night with my Grandma", she said in a statement.
"It’s very surreal and a true privilege to be trusted to bring Gina to the Square, and to be a part of such an exciting, tight-knit new family."
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Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) – joined
Strictly runner-up Molly Rainford joined the BBC soap as "fun, loveable, and big-hearted", Anna Knight.
Much like her older sister, however, viewers have been told not to underestimate her.
The singer shared her enthusiasm in a statement, claiming: "I’m SUPER excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders."
"It’s such an iconic show which myself and my family love, so it’s an honour to bring the character Anna Knight to life who is set to stir up drama upon her arrival."
Since her arrival, she was seen slowly settling in to life in the Square and finding out a huge family secret.
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) – returned
More than two decades passed before the truth about Cindy Beale's supposed death was uncovered.
In a shocking twist, the London-based soap revealed that the troublemaker had never really died in prison while giving birth to her daughter Cindy Jr.
She, instead, took on a new identity to escape her former cellmate.
Cindy took on the name Rose and tied the knot with George Knight before giving him two daughters… and walking out on them abruptly as her oldest daughter Lucy was murdered in Walford.
Since then, she's been living a quiet life in the south of France, unbeknownst to anybody in the Square.
George Knight recently discovered that Rose was never real but has no clue who she really is or about her true connection to the Square.
Actress Michelle Collins reprised her role as Cindy found out her former cellmate had passed and it was finally safe for her to go back to the Square.
But she isn't alone.
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) – returned
During her time in France, Cindy surprisingly reconnected with her former husband Ian Beale, who she had previously tried to kill.
The businessman left Walford under a cloud in January, 2021, after his ex-wife Sharon Watts tried to poison him for his involvement in her son Dennis' death.
Ian was last seen in the Square in late 2022, watching Dot Cotton's funeral from afar.
Prior to his return to Walford, he suffered a horrific heart attack after an argument with Cindy over their potential return to Albert Square.
The businessman came back to the Square looking for his wife Cindy… and their son Peter.
Peter Beale (Thomas Law) – returned
Soap viewers were shocked when Ian and Cindy Beale were seen living in the south of France with their son, Peter, who was eventually told the truth about his mother's "death."
While his reaction to the family secret remains a mystery, his return to Walford has been confirmed.
Peter Beale will come back to the Square with his parents later in the year according to soap boss Chris Clenshaw.
But the character won't be played by Dayle Hudson, who was the latest actor to have portrayed him.
Thomas Law surprisingly reprised the role that made him a star between 2006 and 2010.
What's in store for him?
Finlay Baker (Ashley Byam) – left
Avery Baker rocked up with both of his sons, Finlay and Felix, in 2022.
But after a year in Albert Square, Finlay was forced to move on and start afresh, claiming he had a huge work opportunity in Dublin.
Viewers know, however, that Finlay was blackmailed into leaving by Ravi Gulati and Suki Panesar.
It all began when the brakes on his car were tampered with and he believed somebody was trying to harm him.
Once he found Vinny Panesar's necklace under the vehicle, he thought the powerful family were after him and Ravi intimidated him into silence.
He soon put two and two together and realised that Vinny was actually trying to get to Eve Unwin, who had an affair with Suki.
Determined to keep her illicit romance under wraps, Suki agreed to pay Finlay a large sum of money if he left Walford – but he vowed to come back if anything happened to his brother Felix.
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EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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