Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) has officially left Walford once more, heading to Brazil to be with her brother Sean. After a year of heartbreak, betrayal, and turmoil, few can deny Stacey deserves her escape.

But her absence opens the door for other female characters to take the spotlight. With the Slaters still at the heart of the Square, and plenty of underused women waiting for their moment, here are five characters who deserve to step up in a post-Stacey era.

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1. Chelsea Fox

Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams) has the charisma, complexity, and history to be a true leading lady. From surviving Gray Atkins to clashes with Ravi, she’s proven she can handle big storylines. Yet recently she’s been sidelined, reduced to background drama.

With Chelsea about to turn 40, now is the perfect time to bring her back to the forefront. Is she thriving as a single mum to Jordan? Struggling in silence? Or ready to risk love again? Chelsea has the makings of a powerhouse character — all she needs is the screen time to prove it.

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2. Penny Branning

Penny (Kitty Castledine) has the wit, the attitude, and the dry humour to steal every scene she’s in. Yet we know little about her beyond being Jack’s daughter and Denise’s reluctant stepdaughter.

Fans are eager to see Penny given more than fleeting romance plots. A disabled love story told with nuance and honesty could not only break new ground in EastEnders but also give Penny the meaningful storyline she deserves.

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3. Gina Knight

As Cindy Beale’s daughter, Gina (Francesca Henry) should already be at the centre of Walford’s drama. Instead, the Knights have drifted since leaving The Vic. Gina’s chemistry with Harry Mitchell has been a bright spot — a chance for a real, modern romance with fire and fun.

If the show can lean into Gina’s charm while exploring her struggles, she could become one of the Square’s most exciting young characters.

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4. Priya Nandra-Hart

Sophie Khan Levy’s Priya is a breath of fresh air — bold, protective, and endlessly entertaining. Her fiery relationship with Ravi proves she’s more than a supporting act, but we still know little about her past or who she is beyond being a mother.

Priya deserves stories that let her shine outside Ravi’s orbit. Friendships, unconventional alliances (like her banter with Ian Beale), and battles of her own would let her fiery energy explode on screen.

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5. Honey Mitchell

Honey (Emma Barton) is one of EastEnders’ most underrated gems. Often used for comedy or light relief, she’s equally capable of carrying emotional storylines — from supporting Ben during his eating disorder to grieving Lola.

With Honey approaching 50 and raising Janet, now a young adult with Down’s Syndrome, the show has a golden opportunity to explore parenthood, ageing, and resilience in ways few soaps dare. Honey deserves to step out of the background and remind Walford why she’s lasted two decades.

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A New Chapter Without Stacey

Stacey’s exit may feel like the end of an era, but it’s also the start of something new. Chelsea, Penny, Gina, Priya, and Honey all have the potential to lead EastEnders into bold, emotional territory.

The Square has never been short on strong women — now it’s time to let them shine.