EastEnders fans ‘rumble recast plans’ for Ben Mitchell & ‘work out’ character’s return storyline after Max Bowden’s exit
EASTENDERS viewers have been left assured that a soap recast is on they way in the wake of Ben Mitchell actor Max Bowden’s soap axe.
The actor was dumped by the BBC soap opera earlier this year and his character now appears to be gearing up for a lengthy prison sentence in the US after using someone else’s credit card and committing fraud.
Ben faces six years in prison after he stole someone else’s card and spent thousands on hotel bills, car rental and a business class flight home after his own credit cards were blocked.
Whilst a handful of EastEnders fans have been left saddened by his exit, to most it has not come as a surprise as a result of the high turnover in the actors that have played the role as well as Max’s off-screen behaviour.
Despite it being confirmed that Ben will be gone from Walford seemingly for good, BBC viewers think the character will be back in no time with a seventh actor taking on the role.
Some have even suggested that there will only be 18 months to wait until a new and improved Ben is charming the Square.
Commenting on X – formerly Twitter – one fan said: “It’s so obvious that EastEnders are just gonna send Ben off to prison for a couple of months then have him come out with a different face, that’s why they’ve not had him charged with anything more serious that would put him away for years.”
Another followed up to add: “There will be a recast in 18 months, am sure of it.”
Someone else penned: “He’ll be back [with another head] in a year tops I bet…”
29-year-old Max has played the role of Ben Mitchell in the BBC One soap since 2019.
In December last year, The Sun on Sunday exclusively revealed how the actor had been axed after a showdown with bosses.
As Max’s final scenes as the Mitchell mechanic play out, the actor has now said goodbye to fans.
In an emotional post on Instagram, he said: “Well guys It’s that time!
“It’s been one hell of a ride! Thanks for taking Ben to your hearts and allowing my version into your lives. I had an amazing five years at @bbceastenders and learnt a hell of a lot about myself and the craft I love so dearly; it got me through some very hard personal times and I will be forever grateful!
“I really will never be able to thank everybody for the support enough, because the fans of the show are so passionate, caring, and invested and it enables us as actors to want to keep going and always be better; so I really do from the bottom of my heart appreciate every single person who has sent any sort of positivity my way over the last five years – I love you all.
“Ben Mitchell 6.0 over and out. Goodbye EE! I’ll miss you all.”
As Max’s time on EastEnders comes to a close after five years, his next acting project has already been revealed.
He will star in a brand-new stage production of Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss.
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The new theatre show marks the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel’s release.
The former actors who have taken on the role of Ben Mitchell are Harry Reid, Joshua Pascoe, Charlie Jones, Morgan Whittle and Matthew Silver.