In 2024, who will be leaving EastEnders? When Shona McGarty finally says goodbye to Whitney Dean after 15 years, we can expect an emotional farewell in May.
In other news, Bobby Beale is also leaving this year, as is Bianca Jackson following her most recent engagement.
But do not worry, there will be plenty of comebacks to keep us smiling!
This is a list of everyone leaving, coming back, and joining EastEnders in 2024.
Who’s leaving EastEnders in 2024?
Whitney Dean
Whit has been a part of the show for fifteen years, since she was a teenager.
Since then, she has experienced a great deal of heartbreak, including the shocking discovery that Tony King had groomed and sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager.
In addition to being sexually abused, she has also been married and divorced, abandoned her partner at the altar, snogged Mick Carter, tragically lost her baby Peach, and even killed her stalker in self-defense!
But last summer, actress Shona McGarty made her decision to step down from the role public. “I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders,” Shona said in an interview with The Sun. I’ve enjoyed my time on the show. I have formed enduring friendships and family and have been entrusted with some incredible storylines.
The departure of Whitney is scheduled for Thursday, May 23. She recently gave birth to a baby named Dolly, but she is unaware that her best friend Lauren Branning and fiancé Zack Hudson had an affair.
Britney, the foster daughter, will divulge all at the wedding on Monday, May 20. But will Zack be forgiven by Whitney? How will she get out of Walford? Will it be accompanied by yet another heartbreak?
Who else is leaving EastEnders in 2024?
Bianca Jackson
Actress Patsy Palmer only brought Bianca back for a brief period of time, despite the fact that she is still a Walford resident. It appears likely that Bianca won’t be too far behind since she kept returning to be a part of Whitney Dean’s departure, which is scheduled to air in May.
Bianca has undoubtedly left her mark during this phase in Walford. She reclaimed her previous position at the café from Vinny, and on Junior Knight’s first night in the Square, she even gave him a bed.
In addition, she is not disclosing that Zack and Lauren had a sexual relationship. Will she, however, be honest with Whit? Will Whitney and Bianca go together?
Bobby Beale
From his 2019 casting as Bobby Beale, Clay Milner Russell has been an integral part of EastEnders.
It has now been made public, though, that the actor is prepared to leave the soap opera later this year in order to pursue other opportunities.
“Clay is an ambitious and talented actor,” a source told The Sun. He had no intention of remaining in EastEnders indefinitely. Though he enjoys playing Bobby, he wants to play a variety of roles since that is why he became an actor. Although the door is left open, this is a final farewell for the time being.
Being a young actor, Clay wants to take advantage of this time to try his hand at different roles. It was very tough for him to make that choice because he truly loves working on EastEnders and has made a lot of wonderful friends there. However, since joining the cast in 2019, he feels that the time is now appropriate to look into other options.
“We can confirm that Clay will be leaving EastEnders later on this year, and we wish him the best for the future,” an EastEnders spokesperson said in a recent statement.
How will Bobby Beale depart Walford, though? When will he next make an appearance? In what film will Clay appear next?
Who’s returning to EastEnders in 2024?
Freddie Slater
In order to enjoy his time on Strictly Come Dancing, actor Bobby Brazier took a break from Walford to compete in the tour. He put Theo, Stacey Slater’s stalker, in a coma on screen by attacking him. After being cleared in the end, Freddie has been staying with his mother Little Mo to escape everything.
Fans were worried Bobby would not make a comeback as Freddie, but it has now been confirmed that he will.
Freddie is making a comeback with his great-grandfather Big Mo Slater (see below); however, the precise reason for their return has not been disclosed.
The EastEnders TikTok channel will provide an exclusive first look at the pair’s decision to return in a limited series before they show up back on the Square. Both of the characters will be seen living in Mo’s caravan.
Big Mo Slater
This spring, Mo Harris will be returning to EastEnders. Laila Morse returns to her role and makes a permanent return this time around, having left in 2021 after multiple guest appearances.
Upon her arrival in 2000, Mo’s witty remarks and dubious business dealings quickly won over the audience. In 2021, she departed Walford to embark on a cruise with her fiancé, Fat Elvis.
After residing in her caravan, she determines it’s time to return with her great-grandson, Freddie. What, though, returns them home?
“I’m delighted to be coming home to Walford to bring Mo back to life,” Laila said of her return. I have a very special place in my heart for EastEnders, and I am so excited to see both old and new faces again, as well as my on-screen family, who are like family to me.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Laila Morse to the role of Mo Harris,” said executive producer Chris Clenshaw. The Slater family has seen a great deal of drama since Mo last appeared on screen, even though her absence from the Square was brief. This will not change upon Mo’s return. We are thrilled to have Laila return indefinitely as she and great-grandson Freddie (played by Bobby Brazier) are thrust into the center of the action.
She targets Stevie Mitchell as soon as she gets back! And before long, the two are having more fun at her house!
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Laila Morse to the role of Mo Harris,” said executive producer Chris Clenshaw. The Slater family has seen a great deal of drama since Mo last appeared on screen, even though her absence from the Square was brief. This will not change upon Mo’s return. We are thrilled to have Laila return indefinitely as she and great-grandson Freddie (played by Bobby Brazier) are thrust into the center of the action.
She targets Stevie Mitchell as soon as she gets back! And before long, the two are having more fun at her house!
Shirley Carter
To be fair, Shirley Carter hasn’t received much kindness from Walford. After her son Mick Carter vanished at sea in December 2022, she departed.
She felt too haunted by their ghosts to stay after her sister Tina Carter passed away the year before. The good news is that Shirl will hopefully return!
Digital Spy was informed by an EastEnders representative that Linda Henry would be making a return to the show.
But we’re still waiting—this was a while ago! According to Dean Wicks, his mother was hospitalized following a mental collapse. Can we, however, rely on him to tell the truth? Does she truly have difficulties? How long until her next appearance in Walford?
Kim Fox and Howie Danes
Howie Danes and Kim Fox left in March 2024 after Kim Fox received an offer to work on a cruise ship. The good news for followers of Kim Fox, though, is that they will soon return to Walford.
Actress Tameka Empson assured hosts Gethin Jones and Lauren Laverne on The One Show on Monday, January 23, that Kim would be alright. She is taking Howie and the kids on a cruise. Don’t worry about her; everything will work out.
She continued, saying, “But it’s giving me a little break to work on a project that I am really passionate about.”
Tameka is starring in a musical that she co-wrote 20 years ago, The Big Life. She will spend about three months away from EastEnders.
Karen Taylor
In December 2023, Lorraine Stanley, as Karen Taylor, departed from EastEnders. After defrauding Phil Mitchell, Karen fled to Spain. But she has already played the same part this year when she went back to search for her son Keanu, who was reported missing.
She was obviously unaware that Keanu had passed away and been buried beneath the cafe. Eventually his body was found, but by then Karen had returned to Spain. Bernie, her daughter, then paid her a visit to inform her of Keanu’s passing.
Although Linda Carter and The Six are undoubtedly responsible for his death, Dean Wicks is serving a prison sentence for his murder.
This summer, Karen will make another appearance in episodes, though specifics are still unknown. Is she going to return for Dean’s trial? Will she also discover the whole truth about what transpired?
Who’s joining EastEnders?
We’ll keep you updated as soon as EastEnders announces any new cast members, even though they haven’t done so yet!
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