Ben Mitchell Stuns Walford with Surprise Return

EastEnders is gearing up for one of its most explosive weeks yet as two major storylines collide. After months away, Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) makes a shock return to Albert Square—just as Joel Marshall’s disturbing influence sparks chaos at school.

Ben’s reappearance comes at an emotional moment. His husband Callum Highway has secretly grown closer to Johnny Carter, with the pair’s affair heating up following Jonno Highway’s death. As the Mitchells gather for Jonno’s funeral, Callum is blindsided when Ben walks in unannounced, setting the stage for heartbreak and confrontation.

The Mitchell Family in Turmoil

The Mitchells rally around Callum during the funeral, but Kathy Beale soon exposes his secret. In the aftermath, Callum admits his love for Johnny but agrees to come clean to Ben and daughter Lexi. His plan, however, is thrown into chaos when Ben shows up earlier than expected, raising questions about whether the affair will be exposed before Callum can explain.

Meanwhile, Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) returns to support his brother, and tensions in the Mitchell family run high. With Phil and Kathy determined to shield Ben, the fallout from Callum’s affair promises to reshape the Mitchells in devastating ways.

Joel Marshall Sparks Community Debate

Away from the funeral drama, Walford is rocked by Joel Marshall’s (Max Murray) latest actions. After weeks of showing disturbing behaviour, Joel and Tommy Moon cause an incident at school that spirals into a community-wide debate. Parents and teens clash over misogyny, harmful online content, and the dangers of toxic attitudes spreading unchecked.

Kat, Alfie, Ross, and Vicki all attempt to discipline Joel and Tommy, but the tension builds to breaking point.

Violence at No.43

The most shocking scenes unfold at No.43. After yet another heated row about Joel’s behaviour, Ross and Vicki struggle to control him. In a chilling turn, Joel lashes out and strikes Vicki, crossing a line that leaves both families shaken to their core.

A Landmark Week for EastEnders

Thursday’s special episode promises to be a landmark moment, tackling online misogyny and its impact across generations. Meanwhile, Ben Mitchell’s emotional return puts the Mitchell family in the spotlight once more. With heartbreak, betrayal, and shocking violence unfolding, EastEnders is set to deliver one of its most hard-hitting weeks of 2025.