With the soap world as busy as ever for comings and goings, here's our Soap Movers page as we keep track of all the new arrivals, shock exits and returning characters that we can look forward to over the coming weeks and months.
Our list covers EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Neighbours, Home and Away and Casualty – so bookmark us and keep checking back for the latest updates as they come in.
Latest update: April 9, 2024
EastEnders
Nadine Keller (Jazzy Phoenix)
Status: Returning
When: Spring 2024
More info: Nadine returns to Walford this spring when she pays a visit to Jay Brown in Albert Square. She was last seen in autumn 2023 when Jay turned to her for comfort following the tragic death of his wife Lola.
Official spoilers have revealed that Nadine shocks Jay by revealing that she's pregnant with his baby. Will he stand by her?
Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty)
Status: Leaving
When: Early 2024
More info: Whitney waves goodbye to Walford in early 2024 following Shona McGarty's decision to leave the role.
Viewers have recently seen potential clues to the reason that Whitney bows out. Whitney and her partner Zack Hudson have been struggling to agree on whether they should take on responsibility for Britney, a troubled girl they met while visiting Bianca Jackson in Milton Keynes.
Mo Harris (Laila Morse)
Status: Returning
When: Spring 2024
More info: Mo returns to Walford on a permanent basis this year, with show bosses teasing "trouble" for the popular character once she's back.
Laila Morse, who plays Mo, recently said: "I'm delighted to be coming home to Walford to bring Mo back to life. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, and I can't wait to be reunited with my on screen family, who are like my family, as well as old and new faces."
EastEnders' executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Laila Morse to the role of Mo Harris. Although her time away from the Square has been short-lived, the Slater family has endured a huge amount of drama since she last appeared on screen and Mo's return will be no different."
Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier)
Status: Returning
When: Spring 2024
More info: Freddie returns to Albert Square alongside Mo this spring. He has been absent due to Bobby Brazier competing on Strictly Come Dancing and taking part in the dance contest's live tour.
EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw said: "We're delighted to welcome Laila [Morse] back permanently as she is thrust into the heart of the drama alongside great-grandson Freddie."
Coronation Street
Rebecca (Gemma Merna)
Status: Joining
When: April 2024
More info: Former Hollyoaks star Gemma Merna makes a welcome return to Soapland this month as she takes on the role of Rebecca in Corrie.
Rebecca appears as a potential new love interest for Adam Barlow, although Digital Spy understands that this is a guest appearance rather than a recurring or ongoing role.
Nicky Wheatley (Kimberly Hart-Simpson)
Status: Returning
When: April 19
More info: Nicky returns to Weatherfield next week following a call from Daniel, who believes she could help resolve the mystery of Lauren Bolton's disappearance.
Daniel knows that Lauren was a sex worker before she went missing, while Nicky is now an outreach worker who supports girls on the streets.
Kimberly Hart-Simpson, who plays Nicky, recently said: "It's been four years since we first met Nicky, and it is once again a pleasure to be back on the cobbles.
"Stories surrounding women within the sex industry have often been forgotten, shamed or unspoken. But not at Coronation Street. They respectfully explore the world these women live in, the impact it has on the community and at some points dangers attached to the work."
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash)
Status: Leaving
When: 2024
More info: In early 2023, Paul was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), which has no cure. When the emotional storyline was first announced, Corrie bosses confirmed that it would ultimately lead to the character's tragic departure from the show.
In November 2023, emotional scenes saw Paul discover that he only had six to 12 months left to live.
Peter Ash, who plays Paul, told Digital Spy and other press: "I was called into the producer's office [in late 2022]. It was a shock. I suppose it's always a bit scary when you get called into the producer's office!
"[Coronation Street producer] Iain MacLeod said that they had a big storyline for me and it should be a great thing to do, but unfortunately, it would mean an eventual exit.
"I had mixed feelings, obviously. I'll be sad to leave the show – it's been such an amazing job and I've met fantastic people.
"But also, I'm quite happy to be involved in such a powerful storyline that hopefully will bring awareness to MND. It's also going to be quite a progression of Paul's illness."
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain)
Status: Leaving
When: 2024
More info: Simon Barlow is expected to bow out from Weatherfield at some point this year.
Alex Bain – who plays Simon – was reported to have quit the ITV soap late last year.
Beth Sutherland (Lisa George)
Status: Leaving
When: 2024
More info: Beth Sutherland is another character who's expected to leave Weatherfield this year.
News that Lisa George, who plays Beth, would be leaving first leaked out in December 2023. She hasn't addressed the reports publicly, except to confirm that she's currently still filming.
Emmerdale
Rose (Christine Tremarco)
Status: Joining
When: Spring 2024
More info: Former Waterloo Road and Casualty star Christine Tremarco is playing Rose, a newcomer who shares a past with Will Taylor.
Billed as "boisterous and bolshy", Rose threatens to cause problems for Will's marriage to Kim Tate.
Christine recently said: "I am thrilled to be joining Emmerdale! To be working with such a wonderful cast and crew along with the brilliant writing and production team is an absolute joy! Rose is so much fun to play. She is free-spirited, boisterous and totally mischievous with a steely edge and a big heart."
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw added: "We are massively delighted to welcome Christine Tremarco to the Emmerdale family. Christine brings a wealth of experience and talent and playing the character of Rose, a true free spirit with an exuberant outlook on life. She certainly promises to cause a real storm for some of our villagers."
Hollyoaks
Sharon Bailey (Jamelia)
Status: Leaving
When: Spring 2024
More info: Sharon waves goodbye to Hollyoaks this spring as Jamelia bows out from the role.
The news was recently confirmed in a press release for Jamelia's next project – ITVBe's Drama Queens, a new reality show following the lives of soap stars.
Grace Black (Tamara Wall)
Status: Returning
When: Spring 2024
More info: Grace Black is another familiar face who'll be returning to Hollyoaks this spring.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted a glimpse of Grace in a recent TV ad, which shows Freddie Roscoe paying a visit to her in jail. Her return was officially confirmed in the show's spring trailer.
Hannah Ashworth (Emma Rigby)
Status: Returning
When: Spring 2024
More info: Hannah heads back to Hollyoaks this spring following her brief guest stint at the start of the year.
It was revealed a few months ago that Emma Rigby had signed up as a show regular again after talks with show bosses.
Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham)
Status: Returning
When: Spring 2024
More info: Hot on the heels of his older brother Freddie, roguish Robbie is heading back to Hollyoaks as Charlie Wernham reprises the role.
Hollyoaks' recent spring trailer confirmed that Robbie is in cahoots with Hannah Ashworth for a scam.
Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas)
Status: Leaving
When: 2024
More info: Warren Fox bows out from the village once again this year, having been back on our screens since 2020.
Exact details of his departure storyline are currently being kept under wraps, although show bosses are expected to leave the door open for a potential return.
Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams)
Status: Leaving
When: Summer 2024
More info: Scott waves goodbye to the village this summer as Ross Adams, who plays him, has decided not to renew his contract with the show.
Ross recently announced his decision on Instagram, writing: "After nearly a decade, I have made the decision to leave Hollyoaks.
"It was always a dream of mine to act in a soap and playing Scott Drinkwell (and his alter-ego Anita Tinkle) made that dream a reality. It has been a joy and allowed me to do things I could never have dreamed of; from winning a British Soap Award, to writing an episode last year.
"I love the show; the wonderful cast and one of the most dedicated crews in the business – all of whom are having a pretty rough time at the moment. So, deciding not to sign another contract was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make."
He added: "Sometimes though, you've just got to be brave – and now feels like the right time for me to try some other things that I've been super keen to do. I really hope you'll all come with me for the ride!"
Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring)
Status: Leaving
When: 2024
More info: Cindy leaves the village this autumn as part of the major cast cuts coming to Hollyoaks following the decision to downsize to a three-episodes-per-week format.
Stephanie Waring announced the news in an emotional statement on her social media pages, confirming that she was disappointed and saddened to be axed from the soap after 28 years.
Neighbours
Zach Wade (Stephen Phillips)
Status: Joining
When: April 2024
More info: Newcomer Zach joins Neighbours for a guest stint as Mackenzie Hargreaves investigates the surprising past of her boyfriend Haz Devkar.
How much will Zach reveal about Haz's backstory?
Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne)
Status: Returning
When: April 23
More info: Fan favourite Susan Kennedy returns to Ramsay Street this month following her time away in Sydney.
In real life, a temporary break was written in for Jackie Woodburne – who plays Susan – while she took a holiday late last year.
Amira Devkar (Maria Thattil)
Status: Joining
When: 2024
More info: Neighbours fans will get to learn more about Haz Devkar this year as his sister Amira joins for a guest stint.
Show chiefs announced the news on Instagram in December, writing: "We're delighted to announce that Maria Thattil will be joining the cast next year in the guest role of Haz's big sister! But just why she turns up suddenly at Harold's is yet to be revealed."
Harold Bishop (Ian Smith)
Status: Returning
When: 2024
More info: After popping in and out for guest stints in recent years, Harold Bishop is now moving back to Erinsborough on a more permanent basis.
Neighbours announced the news on the show's social media pages, explaining: "After 15 years of living away, the legendary Harold Bishop is returning to Erinsborough. We are thrilled to welcome Ian Smith back to the show and the opening titles, where he belongs."
Home and Away
Imogen Fowler (Georgia Blizzard)
Status: Joining
When: April 2024 (UK-pace)
More info: Imogen is the secret wife of Levi Fowler, who's currently unaware that the doctor is betraying her with Mackenzie Booth.
Upcoming scenes see Levi's sister Eden pay a visit to his home and get to know Imogen for the first time.
Stevie Marlowe (Catherine Văn-Davies)
Status: Joining
When: April 2024 (UK-pace)
More info: Stevie is a famous film actress, who hires Cash as her bodyguard in upcoming scenes.
Cash, who's seeking a new direction after leaving the police, helps Stevie when he learns that she's being targeted by a stalker.
Tori Morgan (Penny McNamee)
Status: Returning
When: May 2024 (UK-pace)
More info: Tori returns to Summer Bay for her brother Justin's wedding to Leah Patterson later this year.
Penny McNamee, who plays Tori, was spotted back on set for filming in late 2023 and her return was officially confirmed in a subsequent trailer.
VJ Patterson (Matt Little)
Status: Returning
When: May 2024 (UK-pace)
More info: Leah's son VJ is another character who's returning to Home and Away for her wedding to Justin.
Matt Little, who plays VJ, told Perth Now: "It was amazing [working with] long time friends and it was really quite emotional to get to work with people that I haven't worked with in a long time and I was close to."
Ava Gilbert (Annabel Wolfe)
Status: Returning
When: May 2024 (UK-pace)
More info: Ava completes the trio of confirmed returning characters for Justin and Leah's upcoming wedding.
Ava's return was confirmed when fans caught a glimpse of her in a recent trailer, a year on from her last stint in the show.
TBC (Joshua Orpin)
Status: Joining
When: 2024
More info: Titans star Joshua Orpin joins the Home and Away cast as a new bad boy later this year.
Teasing his character, Joshua told Australia's Daily Telegraph: "He is a bit of a bad boy who comes into the show and stirs up some trouble among the Summer Bay locals. He is seemingly one thing on the surface but he has a great depth to him I've had a lot of fun exploring."
Casualty
No confirmed cast changes at the moment.
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