Ben Mitchell Comes Back to Walford

Ben Mitchell is back on EastEnders — but his return is set to be anything but smooth. The son of Phil Mitchell will reappear in Walford next week for the funeral of his husband Callum Highway’s father, Jonno.

It’s the first time viewers have seen Ben in over a year, after his dramatic sentencing in America for fraud. His reappearance comes with a twist: Ben has been transferred to a UK prison after turning informant on his cellmate, which has granted him a temporary release to attend the funeral.

But what Ben doesn’t know yet is that Callum has been having an affair with Johnny Carter, a secret that threatens to shatter everything when the truth emerges.

Max Bowden Teases Return

Max Bowden, who has played Ben since 2019, took to Instagram this week to share his excitement about being back on set. Posting a behind-the-scenes photo, he wrote: “Look who’s back. Was great to see the old faces and return for a brief stint with @bbceastenders. Tune in Monday to see it all unfold.”

Fans flooded the comments section with pleas for Bowden’s return to be permanent.

• “We don’t want a brief stint. Ben has to return full time. We miss him.”

• “Yay, but we need you back for good.”

• “About time!! Bring back Ben permanently.”

The passion behind the responses shows just how deeply viewers have connected with Bowden’s portrayal of the troubled Mitchell heir.

A Legacy Role in Soap History

Ben Mitchell has been played by more actors than any other character in EastEnders history. Since his on-screen birth in 1996, six different performers have stepped into the role. Bowden replaced Harry Reid in 2019 and quickly became a fan favourite, bringing intensity and emotional depth to Ben’s turbulent storylines.

Heartbreak Ahead for Ballum

While viewers are thrilled to see Bowden return, the character’s future is filled with heartbreak. Callum’s affair with Johnny Carter has left fans divided, particularly those invested in “Ballum,” the popular Ben and Callum pairing.

Speaking on the Soap Scoop podcast, Bowden defended the writing: “I think you have to separate the character from the actor. The actor sees the reasons that Callum feels so torn… It makes sense that Callum has made the decision. I think Ben obviously doesn’t immediately see it that way, but I think reflection is important and it’s well written.”

A Brief Return — or More to Come?

ITV and Bowden have described the return as a “brief stint,” but with fan demand growing louder, could this storyline pave the way for a longer comeback? With Ben’s complicated history, his father’s looming shadow, and the explosive love triangle brewing, his presence in Walford may be needed more than ever.