EastEnders is set to ignite Albert Square with the dramatic return of Ben Mitchell, played by Max Bowden, in a guest stint that could pave the way for a permanent comeback. Airing at 7:30pm on BBC One, the soap’s 40th anniversary year continues to deliver shocks, but fans are buzzing with speculation that Daniel Delaney, who portrayed a young Phil Mitchell, should take over the iconic role. The debate, fueled by posts on Reddit and X, underscores the passion surrounding Walford’s troubled Mitchell clan.
Max Bowden, who exited in 2024 after five years as Ben, left following a gripping storyline where Ben was extradited to the US for credit card fraud. His departure, driven by personal burnout, left fans divided, with some praising his intense portrayal and others frustrated by Ben’s erratic arc. Now, The Sun reports that new executive producer Ben Wadey has prioritized Ben’s return, eyeing Bowden for a short stint later in 2025, with potential for more. A source revealed Wadey’s vision includes reviving key characters to reinvigorate the soap, and Ben, with his tangled Mitchell legacy, fits the bill. Yet, not all fans are sold on Bowden’s comeback.
Enter Daniel Delaney, whose chilling performance as a teenage Phil Mitchell in flashback episodes—first in September 2022 and again in February 2025—earned widespread acclaim. Portraying Phil during his psychosis storyline, Delaney’s uncanny resemblance to Steve McFadden and gripping delivery won over viewers. The 2022 episode even clinched Best Single Episode at the 2025 British Soap Awards, part of EastEnders’ haul of eight gongs. Fans on Reddit argue Delaney would be a perfect Ben, with one writing, “He’s the spitting image of Steve McFadden and a fantastic young actor. It wouldn’t be the first time someone played two roles in the show.” X posts echo the sentiment, with users like @E20AfterDark praising Delaney’s “incredible” portrayal opposite McFadden’s Phil.
Ben Mitchell, son of Phil (Steve McFadden) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), has been recast six times since 1996, making him one of soapland’s most reshuffled characters. From Charlie Jones’s sensitive schoolboy to Joshua Pascoe’s murderous teen and Harry Reid’s nuanced take, Ben’s evolution has been turbulent. Bowden’s stint leaned into darker themes, including bulimia and a rape storyline, earning him a 2023 Soap Superstar award but also criticism for inconsistent writing. Fans now wonder if Delaney could bring fresh depth, blending Phil’s grit with Ben’s emotional complexity, without the baggage of past recasts.