Ben Mitchell has played a vital role on EastEnders over the years as the son of Walford hardman Phil Mitchell. In upcoming scenes, Ben
Actor Max Bowden will bow out of the role after five years with his final scenes thought to be airing on Thursday night. The
BBC soap has yet to confirm whether the latest episode is the last we will see of the character. Max, 29, who confirmed his exit earlier this week in a
Social Media post, is the sixth actor to have taken on the iconic role, who was born and first introduced in 1996 as the son of Phil and Kathy Beale. Ben was first played by Matthew Silver from 1996 to 1998 with Morgan Whittle taking over the character from 1999 until 2000. Sixth Ben Mitchell actor Max Bowden will bow out of the role after five years with his final EastEnders scenes thought to be airing on Thursday night ( Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) After a soap absence, Ben returned to EastEnders in 2006 with the role being recast to actor Charlie Jones, who portrayed the character until 2010. Joshua Pascoe then took over the role from 2010 until 2012, where Ben left Walford once again. Two years later and Ben made another explosive return, this time the role was portrayed by Harry Reid, who played the character from 2014 to 2018 until he was recast in 2019 with actor Max. With Max now leaving EastEnders after five years of playing Ben, we take a look at what the actors have been up to since leaving Albert Square... Max Bowden (2019 to 2024) Max's new role has been revealed amid his EastEnders exit after five years of playing Ben. The actor will be taking part in a theatre project for the 30th-anniversary production of Birdsong, which is based on Sebastian Faulks' novel and tells the story of one man's journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the World War I. The tour will start in September at
Salisbury Playhouse, finishing in late November at Theatre Royal Bath. Max Bowden's new role has been revealed amid his EastEnders exit ( Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Max, who previously starred in the 2016 tour of Birdsong, will be playing Jack Firebrace in the production ( Image: © Michael Wharley 2019) Max, who previously starred in the 2016 tour of Birdsong and will be playing Jack Firebrace, said of the project: "I’m so excited to be collaborating with [producers] Original Theatre again on a project close to my heart. Birdsong highlights the tragedy of war, yet the beauty of humanity simultaneously through strong relationships under extreme circumstances, and I can’t wait to bring Jack Firebrace to life under their guidance." Meanwhile, director Alastair Whatley, added: "Max joined us to play the character of Tipper, a young soldier, in the 2016 tour of Birdsong and now, the best part of a decade later, returns to play the wonderful role of Jack Firebrace. I cannot wait to get back in the rehearsal room with Max to explore one of Sebastian’s most unforgettable characters." Harry Reid (2014 to 2018) Since leaving EastEnders in 2018 and being recast, Harry, 31, has remained in TV, starring in a slew of shows as well as theatre productions. After the BBC One soap, Harry starred in K-Shop in 2016 as Ricky, going on to appear in Doctors in 2023 as Leonardo Sampson. Harry also appeared as himself in reality series, Celebrity Coach Trip back in 2019. Away from television, Harry has been performing on stage and even reunited with former co-star, Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean and is also due to leave the soap soon, over
Christmas in the Beauty and the Beast pantomime at Dartford's Orchard Theatre. Harry Reid played the character from 2014 to 2018 until he was recast in 2019 ( Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) Shona McGarty reunited with actor Harry, as the pair starred in pantomime together over Christmas Joshua Pascoe (2010 to 2012) Since leaving EastEnders in 2012, Joshua, 28, has remained in acting, starring as Razor in Not Going Out in 2014, Cassius in Offbeat in 2016, Gregg in Just Charlie in 2017 and more recently as Steven in A Suburban Fairytale in 2021. Charlie Jones (2006 to 2010) After leaving the soap all the way back in 2010, not much was seen of Charlie, 27, until 2020 when he starred as Danny Hickson in Noughts + Crosses, leaving fans in disbelief while watching the very first episode as they instantly recognised the actor. Later that same year, Charlie played a Mail Courier in
Netflix movie Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. More recently, the actor played DC Samuel Goldie for four episodes in ITV series McDonald & Dodds from 2022 to 2023. Charlie Jones portrayed the character from 2006 until 2010 ( Image: BBC) Charlie starred as DC Samuel Goldie in McDonald & Dodds from 2022 to 2023 ( Image: BBC) Morgan Whittle (1999 to 2000) Morgan's, who starred in just under 20 episodes of EastEnders, only acting credentials appear to be on the BBC soap as nothing else appears on IMDB since leaving in 2000. Matthew Silver (1996 to 1998) While Matthew appeared in more episodes than Morgan, playing baby Ben way back when, actor Matthew appears to have not pursued an acting career since EastEnders. Matthew's only acting credentials appear to be on the BBC soap as nothing else appears on IMDB since leaving in 1998. * Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat ,
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