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 table covers EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Neighbours and Home and Away – so bookmark us and keep checking back for the latest updates as they come in.
Latest update: September 27
Jump to your favourite soap…
- EastEnders
- Coronation Street
- Emmerdale
- Hollyoaks
- Neighbours
- Home and Away
EASTENDERS
Doctor Harold Legg (Leonard Fenton)
Status: Returning
When: Autumn 2018
More info: A legend returns! Leonard Fenton has signed up to reprise his role as Doctor Legg, 11 years after his last appearance in the show. While little more is known about the storyline at the moment, we know that he’ll be reuniting with his old friend Dot Branning.
Speaking about his return, Leonard commented: “I am very happy to be back at EastEnders and am looking forward to working with June and the rest of the cast and crew again.”
EastEnders‘ executive consultant John Yorke added: “It’s a huge honour to have Leonard back in the show and to see him and June working together again for an exciting and emotional story.”
Alfie Moon (Shane Richie)
Status: Returning
When: Autumn 2018
More info: Earlier this year, EastEnders fans saw Alfie return for a couple of episodes, when he was revealed as the father of Hayley Slater’s baby. Speaking at the time, Shane Richie – who plays him – commented: “[This] actually raises more questions so this is certainly not the last you will see of Alfie but I can’t say any more than that!”
More recently, Shane has returned to filming and Alfie will be back on screen for an explosive reunion with Kat later this autumn.
Carmel Kazemi (Bonnie Langford)
Status: Leaving
When: 2018
More info: Bonnie Langford has announced that she’ll be leaving EastEnders towards the end of the year, following her involvement in the show’s topical knife crime storyline.
Speaking about her departure, Bonnie said: “I’ve had a wonderful three and a half years at EastEnders and it’s been a privilege to be part of such an iconic show.
“My current storyline has been such an incredible experience and I’m honoured to be part of something so powerful and poignant.
“However as I’ve known since the beginning of this storyline, it would always lead to Carmel having to take a break from Walford. I’m not leaving just yet though and there is still plenty more to come from Carmel.”
Max Branning (Jake Wood)
Status: Taking a break
When: Early 2019
More info: Jake Wood, who plays Max, has announced that he’ll be taking a short break from EastEnders next year in order to take his popular boxing podcast on a live tour.
Show bosses have confirmed that Jake will return to filming after a few weeks away.
CORONATION STREET
Cormac Truman (Joe Mallalieu)
Status: Leaving
When: September 28
More info: Ronan Truman’s roguish son has only just been introduced to the cobbles, but he won’t be staying for long.
It’s been confirmed that Cormac passes away from a drug overdose after a night out with Ryan, which will have big consequences in Weatherfield later in the autumn.
DS Mackinnon (Sandra Huggett)
Status: Returning
When: Autumn 2018
More info: Fearsome detective Mackinnon will be returning as part of an upcoming crime-based storyline on the cobbles, as the police investigate Cormac’s death.
Official spoiler pictures released by Corrie have seen Mackinnon quizzing Ali Neeson later this year, hinting that he could be next in her sights.
Nick Tilsley (Ben Price)
Status: Returning
When: October 2018
More info: Ben Price will reprise his role as Nick Tilsley in a few months’ time – just one year after he left.
It’s thought that Corrie‘s team are still working on a comeback plot for Nick, but with so many dramas for the Platt family at the moment, there are plenty of reasons for him to return.
Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson)
Status: Leaving
When: October 2018
More info: Jim is involved in Corrie‘s biggest story of the moment, but there is an end in sight.
Charles Lawson has already finished filming his latest stint, which means the truth about the “Katie” con must come out soon. How will Liz and Steve react to his deception when it all comes out?
TBC (Cassidy Little)
Status: Joining
When: 2018
More info: Corrie bosses have confirmed the casting of real-life Afghanistan war veteran Cassidy Little in an upcoming guest role.
Cassidy will play a Paralympic champion who becomes a mentor to Jack Webster, giving him a new perspective after he recently had his foot amputated.
Mike Thornberry (Louis Emerick)
Status: Returning
When: 2018
More info: Following his short stint on the cobbles earlier in the year, Corrie bosses have decided to bring back former Brookside star Louis Emerick as Mike Thornberry.
Mike certainly has unfinished business with Liz after their break-up, but how will she react to see him back?
Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine)
Status: Leaving
When: 2018
More info: Jennie McAlpine recently announced the happy news that she’s pregnant with her second child. Jennie and her husband Chris Farr are already parents to 3-year-old Albert.
Jennie will be taking maternity leave later this year.
EMMERDALE
Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi)
Status: Returning
When: October 2018
More info: Roxy Shahidi has now returned to filming at Emmerdale after taking maternity leave for the arrival of her first child, a baby girl.
Leyla will be returning to the village when everyone least expects her – sparking new drama for David, Maya and Tracy.
Kim Tate (Claire King)
Status: Returning
When: October 2018
More info: The bitch is back! Emmerdale bosses have lured back Claire King to play her iconic character Kim Tate again after 19 years away.
Kim will be returning for a special week of episodes airing in October, wreaking havoc before she leaves the village again.
Ross Barton (Michael Parr)
Status: Leaving
When: 2018
More info: After playing bad boy Ross since 2013, Michael Parr has decided that it’s time to explore other opportunities and will bow out later this year.
Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks recently commented: “Michael Parr will leave Emmerdale later this year at the end of his current contract. His decision to pursue other acting opportunities has given the writing team the opportunity to create an intriguing storyline for his exit.
“Michael will leave the show on a high after brilliantly portraying Ross for five years.”
HOLLYOAKS
Pete Buchanan (Kai Owen)
Status: Returning
When: October 2018
More info: Paedophile Pete Buchanan will be making a guest return on Hollyoaks as part of Cleo McQueen’s ongoing bulimia storyline.
It’s been confirmed that Cleo’s husband-to-be Joel Dexter will pay Pete a visit in prison in October, as Cleo’s issues start to come to a head.
Martine Deveraux (Kelle Bryan)
Status: Arriving
When: October
More info: Hollyoaks bosses have cast former Eternal singer Kelle Bryan in the role of Simone Loveday’s sister Martine. Martine first pops up in October with some shocking news to share with Louis.
Hollyoaks‘ executive producer Bryan Kirkwood recently told Digital Spy: “We are very excited to welcome Kelle to the cast of Hollyoaks. She is a massive injection of energy into the cast and into the Loveday family.
“There is bristling, joyful tension between Martine and Simone, which is great to watch. Martine arrives with a whopping secret, which has massive consequences for Simone and for Louis.”
Juliet Quinn (Niamh Blackshaw)
Status: Arriving
When: October 2018
More info: Romeo’s younger sister Juliet will be joining the soap’s cast in October, becoming a new student at Hollyoaks High.
Niamh Blackshaw, who’s playing Juliet, previously appeared in a handful of Coronation Street episodes last year as Lara Cutler, one of the victims of Nathan Curtis’s grooming gang.
Sinead O’Connor (Stephanie Davis)
Status: Returning
When: October 2018
More info: In Soapland’s most surprising return of the year, Hollyoaks bosses have invited Stephanie Davis back to play Sinead O’Connor – three years after sacking the actress for her off-screen behaviour.
Hollyoaks‘ executive producer Bryan Kirkwood commented: “I am delighted that Stephanie is returning, she’s a hugely talented actress who has worked hard to overcome some personal issues.
“We welcome her return to Hollyoaks to reprise her role as Sinead O’Connor, a brilliant and vibrant character who the audience love. Sinead will make a return to the Hutchinsons family in autumn, no doubt bringing drama in tow.”
Laurie Shelby (Kyle Pryor)
Status: Joining
When: Autumn 2018
More info: Best known for playing Home and Away‘s Nate Cooper, Kyle Pryor has now joined the cast of Hollyoaks.
Kyle will be playing Laurie Shelby, the husband of Sinead O’Connor.
NEIGHBOURS
Nance Sluggett (Denise Drysdale)
Status: Arriving
When: October 2018
More info: Australian entertainment stalwart Denise Drysdale recently started filming on Neighbours for the role of Jeremy Sluggett’s mum Nance.
Nance turns up to collect her son’s cash from Gary, forcing him to admit that he’s already spent it. How will Gary react when Nance then tries to playfully blackmail him?
Pierce Grayson (Tim Robards)
Status: Arriving
When: October 2018
More info: Tim Robards, best known for starring on The Bachelor Australia, has signed up for a guest stint on Neighbours as wealthy investor Pierce Grayson. Show bosses have teased that Pierce has more on his mind than just making money in Erinsborough – romance is also on the cards and hearts could be broken.
Tim commented: “At the start of this year I made the decision to make acting the top of my priority list and I’ve been putting in the work behind closed doors with different coaches – pushing myself out of my comfort zone and then this role came up so I’m super excited.
“I’ve really enjoyed exploring the character. Pierce Greyson has a number layers to him so he is really interesting to play. He is a hybrid of a Harvey Specter, sprinkle of Christian Grey and little bit of Robert Redford, so it’s been great fun to explore.
“I watched Neighbours as a kid so to be on the set with such iconic characters like Paul Robinson, Toadie and Susan is an amazing experience – the entire cast and crew have been so welcoming.”
Alice Wells (Kerry Armstrong)
Status: Arriving
When: October 2018
More info: Award-winning actress Kerry Armstrong has been cast in the role of Alice Wells, a seemingly mild-mannered grandmother who also has a devious side.
Kerry recently revealed: “Alice is a character who pushes every boundary and is a force to be reckoned with. There is a lot of encouragement [from producers] to see who she is and how far she can go.”
HOME AND AWAY
Chelsea (Ashleigh Brewer)
Status: Arriving
When: October 2018
More info: Former Neighbours and The Bold and the Beautiful star Ashleigh Brewer has signed up for a six-month stint in Summer Bay as new cop Chelsea.
Ashleigh exclusively told us: “I’m not allowed to give too much away just yet, but we know that her name is Chelsea and she’s a police officer. She’s come to the Bay to give one of our favourites a real shock.
“I would say she is an extremely nice person with a strong head on her shoulders, but she’ll be causing a little bit of trouble through circumstances out of her control.”
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