EastEnders cast: New, leaving and returning characters

This spring, EastEnders will welcome a new family of characters that are set to make a huge splash in Albert Square.

The coming weeks are once again set to be packed with drama with many stars also set to bid farewell to the soap.

Recent weeks have seen fans moved to tears as Lola Pierce battles a terminal brain tumour, with the character ultimately set to pass away later this year.

Some characters have already said goodbye to Walford, with their departures airing in recent episodes.

MailOnline has everything you need to know about all the comings and goings in EastEnders…

RETURNING: Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) 

After previously being played by Maria Friedman, Harriet Thorpe has taken over the role of Linda Carter’s mother Elaine.

She is set to head back to the Square in a bid to support her daughter after her husband Mick tragically drowned on Christmas Day.

Linda has been trying to rebuild her life in the Queen Vic after Mick’s new wife Janine was thrown behind bars in the wake of Mick’s presumed death.

Bosses recently announced that the role of Elaine had been recast, with Calendar Girls and The Brittas Empire star Harriet taking over the role.

Elaine is described by boss Chris Clenshaw as ‘a powerhouse of a land-lady who knows just how to have fun.’

And she won’t be alone, as upcoming episodes will see Elaine’s own family heading to the Square behind her…

JOINING: George Knight (Colin Salmon)

Meet the Knights! This spring, EastEnders will welcome newcomers George (far right), Gina (second left) and Anna Knight (far left) alongside Elaine, as the new owners of the Queen Vic

Colin is set to join the EastEnders cast as Elaine’s hunky new beau George Knight.

Since leaving Walford in 2021, Elaine appears to have found love with her new man, who is descirbed as ‘a charming rogue and an old-school gent who dotes on his two daughters.’

Colin is a big-screen fixture, having starred in three James Bond films and the Resident Evil series, as well as General Zod in the Syfy series Krypton.

And when George arrives in Walford to join Elaine, he will be moving into the Square with his two daughters in two…

JOINING: Gina Knight (Francesca Henry)

Gina is George’s eldest daughter, and will be moving into the Queen Vic alongside her father, sister, and Elaine.

The beauty will no doubt ruffle feathers when she arrives in Walford, described as ‘feisty, determined and demanding.’

2.0 Lucy actress Francesca Henry has taken on the role of Gina in the soap, and speaking about her casting she said: ”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.’

‘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.’ 

JOINING: Anna Knight (Molly Rainford)

Exciting! Following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, CBBC star Molly Rainford is joining the EastEnders cast this spring

Following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, CBBC star Molly Rainford is also joining the EastEnders cast.

Viewers have been told that like her sister, she shouldn’t be underestimated, with Molly adding: ‘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.’

LEAVING: Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) 

Heartbreaking: Danielle Harold is leaving the soap later this year, after her character Lola was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour

In 2022, it was reported actress Danielle had been written out of EastEnders after a decade on and off in the soap.

Her character Lola has been given a heartbreaking exit storyline, as she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.

After her emotional prognosis, viewers have seen Lola tie the knot with her on/off love Jay Branning, while vowing to live her final months to the fullest.

Actress Danielle has already filmed her final scenes, and they will air in the coming weeks.

LEFT: Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) 

Off she goes! After returning in April 2022, Sam Mitchell recently departed the soap for a new life in Spain

In April 2022, Sam made yet another explosive return to Albert Square, six years after her last appearance during Peggy Mitchell’s funeral.

Going head-to-head with rival Sharon Watts, Sam made a huge splash as soon as she arrived on The Square.

Earlier this year she came close to leaving Albert Square with Ricky Butcher for a new life in Germany, but decided to stay and support her son Ricky Jnr. after he learned he was going to be a father.

But, in recent scenes, Sam was given the chance to front a business in Spain with her ex-fiancé Don.

Realising the money could help Ricky Jr. with his unborn child, Sam decided to leave the Square for a sunny life abroad.

Could this be the last time viewers see her on screen? 

LEFT: Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit)

Quick exit! Patsy Kensit joined EastEnders as Lola’s estranged mother Emma, but has already appeared in her final scenes

After Lola’s brain tumour diagnosis was revealed, bosses announced that veteran actress Patsy Kensit had been cast as her estranged mother Emma for a short stint.

Billy Mitchell tracked Emma down and urged her to reconnect with her terminally-ill daughter.

From her first scenes it was clear Emma was hiding something from her daughter, and she later revealed her father had been abusive towards her.

It later became clear that Emma couldn’t cope with seeing her daughter’s declining health, and she opted to abandon Lola and leave Walford for good.

LEFT: Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen)

Gone! Ricky delighted fans when he returned to EastEnders in late 2022 after a decade-long absence, but he has already left for a new life in Germany

Ricky delighted fans when he returned to EastEnders in late 2022 after a decade-long absence.

At the time actor Sid Owen said: ‘ I’m delighted to back at EastEnders.’

‘I can’t wait to see what Ricky Butcher has been up to these past few years and how he’s going to react to seeing some familiar faces including old flames. I’m excited to see the drama unfold.’

Viewers hoped that he would see his sister Janine Butcher would get her comeuppance for her villainous behaviour, and he did, seeing her thrown behind bars on Boxing Day.

Ricky also reunited with his former flame Sam Mitchell, proposing marriage and suggesting they leave Albert Square for a new life in Germany.

But things didn’t work out as Ricky planned, with Sam opting to let him leaving Walford alone and relocate to Europe.

Will he be back again?

LEFT: Scarlett Moon (Tabitha Byron)

Exit! Janine’s daughter Scarlett left with Ricky Butcher for a new life in Germany after her criminal mother was thrown behind bars

Ever since she arrived in Walford with her mother Janine, young Scarlett became embroiled in the villain’s dirty schemes and secrets.

She was encouraged by Sonia Fowler and Ricky Butcher to speak up when Shirley Carter confronted the schemer with her lies.

Eventually Scarlett decided to spill the beans, leading to her mother’s arrest, and in the wake of this she sought solace with Sonia and Ricky.

Ricky later decided to take Scarlett out of the Square for a new life in Germany, with viewers last seeing the pair driving off into the sunset.

Who is in the EastEnders cast?

Here are the current stars appearing in EastEnders in 2023…

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.