Ben Mitchell’s character will be making a return to Albert Square but it will be a different actor, Max Bowden, taking on the role.
Former Waterloo Road star Max will be the sixth actor to play Ben over the years in the soap.
EastEnders bosses have decided to bring Ben back after he was written out of the show just over a year ago, when he was played by Harry Reid.
A source told The Sun: “Ben is a really popular character among EastEnders fans and has been at the heart of some of the biggest storylines in recent years.
“It’ll take viewers a bit of time to get used to another face playing him, but they’ve had plenty of practice over the years when it comes to his character.”
Max, who played Justin Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road and has also appeared on Casualty and Doctors, will begin filming EastEnders this week.
Max, 24, said of his new venture: “I’m so excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders and taking on the role of Ben Mitchell.
He added: “I’ve always been a fan of the show so to be joining one of the most iconic families in soap is beyond exciting. I can’t wait to get started and see what’s in store for Ben.”
He will be joined by returning character Lola, played by Danielle Harold, and their daughter Lexi.
The other actors who played Ben Mitchell over the years were: Matthew Silver (1996 – 1998), Morgan Whittle (1999-2001), Charlie Jones (2006-2010), Joshua Pascoe (2010-2012) and Harry (2014-2018).
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Show boss Kate Oates, who previously worked on Coronation Street, said of the soap’s new face: “A character like Ben, with his rich history, ‘complicated’ family and complex psychology, is pure gold.
“With Max in the role, we will be exploring the aspects of Ben’s character that have been allowed to develop during his time away from the Square: unfettered by old loyalties, and out of the long shadow of his father, Phil.”
Ben has often run into trouble in Walford over the years, much like his father Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden.
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Ben was last seen on screen in January 2018, when he was fleeing to France after stealing money.
So what could be bringing Ben back this time?
EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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