Fans know that the cast of EastEnders is always changing and their fave characters can pop off in the back of black cab (or worse!) at the drop of a hat.
Old favourites return, new ones pop up and quickly become iconic, while others can meet a sorry end or simply stroll off across the Square to Walford tube station.
So we can keep track, here’s the complete list of who’s in the EastEnders cast in 2022.
Meet the cast of EastEnders
Kathy Beale played by Gillian Taylforth
Kathy Beale, played by Gillian Taylforth, is one of EastEnders’ original cast members. She was in the show’s first episode, back in 1985.
Mum to Ian Beale and Ben Mitchell, gran to Bobby and Peter, she’s also great-gran to Peter’s son Louie and Ben’s daughter Lexi.
She’s been at the centre of some of Enders’ most iconic storylines including her shocking rape at the hands of James Wilmott-Brown.
Kathy was married to Ian’s dad, Pete Beale but when their marriage broke down in the early 90s, she got together with Phil Mitchell and gave birth to their son, Ben.
Kathy and Phil’s marriage was a rocky one, thanks to his alcoholism, and Kathy eventually left to live in South Africa.
She was killed off-screen in a car accident. But that wasn’t the end of Kathy! Nine years after her ‘death’ she came back to Albert Square.
Kathy settled back into Square life, bought The Albert and is running Ian’s businesses in the wake of his departure.
She has supported her son, Ben, following his rape, and is in a relationship with Rocky. But that has been, er, Rocky, to say the list. Will it last?
Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden
The self-titled leader of the Square, Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, is one of EastEnders’ most iconic characters.
He’s had several wives in his time in Walford, become a father and grandfather, beaten his alcohol problem and survived a crack addiction, several car accidents and being shot.
Phil was at the centre of the famous Sharongate episode when his affair with his brother Grant’s wife Sharon was revealed to the shocked drinkers in The Queen Vic.
The ‘who shot Phil’ mystery became one of the fans’ favourite ever episodes.
Phil’s currently in a relationship with Kat Slater, feuding with his son Ben Mitchell, building bridges with son Raymond, and trying to keep his position as Walford’s top dog despite some stiff competition from Ben and new ally Kheerat Panesar.
Some of his past dealings have come back to haunt him and Phil has been in prison.
He cut a deal with DCI Keeble to turn grass for his freedom, but was secretly working against her.
Phil has now fled the Square to try and find a way out of his predicament – but what – or who – will he return with?
Sam Mitchell played by Kim Medcalf
The youngest Mitchell sibling and only daughter, Sam Mitchell returned last month played by Kim Medcalf.
Sam’s first stint on the soap began in 1990 when she was played by Danniella Westbrook. She left in 2002 and was replaced by Kim in 2002.
When Sam returned again in 2009 Danniella was back in the role, but left in 2010. She then came back for Peggy’s funeral in 2016. It was then that she abandoned her son with Jack Branning, Ricky Mitchell, and fled back to Spain.
Kim reprised the role once more this year and is already making waves on the Square with blackmail and dodgy business deals.
She worked against brother Phil to get her hands on Peggy’s but it backfired on her big time.
Sam’s been sleeping with Zack, but is about to get a blast from the past when her ex, Don, turns up.
Sharon Watts played by Letitia Dean
Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, is another member of the original EastEnders cast.
She’s been involved in many dramatic storylines in her time, from the legendary Sharongate, to her steamy affair with Keanu Taylor and the death of her beloved son Dennis Rickman junior.
Most recently, Sharon tried to kill Ian Beale – who she’d married on his deathbed – in revenge for son Denny’s death.
Now Sharon’s getting to know half-brother, Zack Hudson, and bringing up her baby son, Albie.
After discovering she had a granddaughter, Sharon moved the tot and her mum in, but Jada left with Alyssa earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Sharon still has eyes for Phil, but made a huge mistake calling his brother Grant.
Phil got jealous and ran back to Kat, but how long before these two are back in each other’s arms again?
Kat Slater played by Jessie Wallace
Kat Slater played by Jessie Wallace arrived in Walford on the back of a milk float after a night out and she’s been causing trouble ever since!
The reveal that Kat’s sister Zoe was actually her daughter – the famous ‘you ain’t my mother’ scene – is one of ‘Enders fans favourite ever plot twists.
Now Kat’s a single mum to sons Tommy, Bert and Ernie.
And Kat’s involved with Phil Mitchell, both in business and romantically, but ex Alfie has returned and is determined to win her back.
With Phil out of the country, leaving Kat to hold the fort, she’s struggling alone. Will she fall for Alfie’s charms again?
Tommy Moon played by Sonny Kendall
When Tommy Moon, played by Sonny Kendall, was born he was at the centre of a baby swap storyline after Ronnie Mitchell’s baby, James, died and she swapped him for Tommy.
Kat and husband Alfie grieved for their baby until Ronnie returned their little boy.
Now Tommy’s a talented footballer, but his future has been threatened by vile bullies.
Tommy accidentally stabbed one of them in defence and it has affected his prospects with a youth footie team. Can he find a way to come good?
Bert and Ernie Moon played by Elliot and Cody Briffett
Kat Slater’s twin boys Bert and Ernie Moon played by Elliot and Cody Briffett are starting to appear more now their dad Alfie is back in town.
The boys were nicknamed Bert and Ernie by their dad Alfie Moon when Kat was pregnant and when the twins arrived, the names stuck.
Alfie Moon played by Shane Richie has returned to the EastEnders cast
Shane Richie has reprised his role as Alfie Moon after trying to stop Kat’s wedding to Phil.
He did manage to keep the bride from making her ceremony, but she’s still determined to marry Phil.
Alfie’s vowed to win her back, but so far all of his schemes have failed to impress.
He’s got his job back behind the bar of The Vic and is proving a great support to Linda Carter.
But can he and Kat ever be really done?
Eve Unwin played by Heather Peace
Heather Peace plays Eve Unwin, and she arrived in Walford in October as Stacey Slater’s wife!
She’s tough as nails and quickly clashed with Stacey’s friends and family.
She soon showed her soft side, however, as she got involved with Suki Panesar.
After weeks of will-they-won’t-they, the pair finally gave into their feelings, but just as Suki became comfortable with her sexuality her abusive husband came back into her life.
Now Eve has been left out in the cold, but will she give up trying to win Suki’s heart?
Mick Carter played by Danny Dyer
Doting dad Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, is the landlord of The Queen Vic. He’s proud of his grown-up kids Lee, Nancy and Johnny, his young son Ollie and his new baby Annie.
Mick recently discovered he had another daughter, Frankie, whose mother was the youth worker who abused him as a kid.
He has welcomed Frankie into the family – just as he welcomed baby Annie, whose biological dad is Max Branning.
However, things with beloved wife Linda are not so good. In fact, the couple have split up.
Mick has moved on with Janine Butcher – they are engaged and have a baby on the way. But Janine’s lying and scheming might be about to catch up with her and send Mick’s world into a spin.
Danny Dyer is leaving EastEnders, so a long-term romance doesn’t look likely…
Martin Fowler played by James Bye
In the very first episode of EastEnders, iconic Square matriarch Pauline Fowler discovered she was pregnant.
That baby was Martin Fowler – now played by James Bye – and he’s now part of Walford history.
Martin’s had a troubled love life – he got Sonia Jackson pregnant when they were still teens.
Their daughter Bex is now off travelling, while Martin’s a single dad to ex-wife Stacey’s kids Lily, Arthur and Hope.
During lockdown, Martin got together with Ruby Allen and the pair tied the knot but Ruby left the Square in disgrace after she lied to get Stacey banged up. So what’s next for Martin?
Stacey Slater played by Lacey Turner
Stacey Slater, played by Lacey Turner, has had a lot of drama in her time in the Square.
She lost husband Bradley Branning in a tragic fall from the roof of The Vic, was raped by Archie Mitchell and then murdered him, and suffered post-natal psychosis.
And her affair with Bradley’s dad Max Branning – and its reveal on Christmas Day – has entered Enders history.
More recently, devoted mum Stacey split with husband Martin Fowler after he got mixed up with the Mitchells and wanted to protect her.
And she made an enemy of former best friend Ruby Allen when she nicked her money – and in revenge, Rubes nicked Martin.
Ruby eventually had Stacey sent to prison for assault (even though Stacey was innocent).
Stacey was released last year and returned to Walford – with a new wife, Eve, in tow, however they are not romantically together.
Stacey has spent much of the last year caring for mum Jean who suffered a manic episode.
She has also set up her own business and embarked on a new relationship with Kheerat Panesar.
EastEnders cast: Jean Slater played by Gillian Wright
Fan fave Jean Slater played by Gillian Wright is famous for her sausage surprise! But she’s also had a tough few years, battling her bipolar disorder and fighting cancer, as well as seeing her beloved daughter Stacey Slater banged up.
Jean arrived in Walford to see daughter Stacey, and eventually settled in Albert Square.
She left briefly when she got married and moved to Brighton, but came back when her marriage broke up. Jean also has a son called Sean, who she’s devoted to, despite his troubles.
When Jean was diagnosed with cancer, she met a man called Daniel and the pair fell in love.
Daniel eventually died peacefully from his cancer, leaving Jean mourning but determined to live life to the fullest.
And she’s even more focused on that philosophy now, having discovered her cancer hasn’t returned like she feared.
However it soon became apparent she was in the grips of a manic episode. She was sexually inappropriate, spending erratically and almost drowned in her wedding dress.
Stacey saved her and Jean went to hospital.
But coming back to Walford hasn’t been easy. Will she find happiness again?
Lily Slater played by Lilia Turner
Stacey’s daughter Lily Slater, played by Lilia Turner, is proving to be a chip off the old Slater block.
Lily’s real dad is Stacey’s ex Ryan Molloy – Whitney Dean’s brother – but she considers her former stepdad Martin Fowler the closest thing she’s got to a dad.
She’s struggling to deal with Jean’s breakdown and is terrified she’s going to get bipolar too.
Arthur Fowler played by Hunter Bell
Arthur Fowler played by Hunter Bell is named after Martin’s EastEnders icon dad.
But Martin’s not Arthur’s biological dad. His best friend Kush Kazemi was the tot’s real pa, though Martin’s stepped in since Kush’s death.
Hope Fowler
Little Hope Fowler is Stacey’s youngest child and is Martin’s biological daughter, meaning she has an older half-sister in Bex Fowler.
Hope was born prematurely and was in intensive care for a while but she’s now fit and healthy.
EastEnders cast: Sonia Fowler played by Natalie Cassidy
Trumpet-playing Sonia Fowler, played by Natalie Cassidy, has seen some dramas during her time in Walford.
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