EastEnders fans are abuzz with excitement after reports confirmed that Max Bowden is poised to reprise his role as Ben Mitchell, a long-time favourite on the BBC soap. Bowden, who exited the show in late 2023, will reportedly return to filming later this year under the guidance of EastEnders’ new boss Ben Wadey.
A source told The Sun that Bowden’s appearance will initially be a short stint, with the possibility of extending his time on Albert Square depending on how the storyline unfolds.
“Max agreed to return for a short stint after Ben pitched his comeback storyline,” the insider said. “But who knows what will happen? It really does depend on Max.”
A Fan Favourite Comeback
Max Bowden originally took over the role of Ben Mitchell in 2019, becoming the sixth actor to portray the complex character. His portrayal received critical acclaim, particularly for tackling sensitive storylines like Ben’s hearing loss.
Fans immediately responded on social media:
- “The hearing loss storyline was brilliant… and Max is the best Ben.”
- “You know what, my world is healing, Ben Mitchell will be back on screens soon.”
- “Robert Sugden and Ben Mitchell returning in 2025? What a year!”
A Soap Full of Returns
Bowden’s comeback follows news that Jake Wood may also return as Max Branning, another iconic EastEnders character who left in 2021. The trend reflects showrunner Ben Wadey’s intent to bring back legacy characters to refresh long-standing story arcs.
BBC Remains Tight-Lipped
BBC has not officially confirmed the storyline or timeline for Ben Mitchell’s reappearance. The actor’s last scenes aired in March 2024, when his character faced fraud charges following a dramatic U.S. plot twist.
