Fans of EastEnders have reason to be excited as Max Bowden and Ricky Champ make their highly anticipated return to Walford. Ben Mitchell and Stuart Highway will both be back on the Square later this year, marking their short-term comeback amidst a swirl of unresolved drama and emotional turmoil.

Ben Mitchell’s Return

Ben Mitchell, the troubled son of Phil Mitchell, is returning to Walford after a lengthy absence. Played by Max Bowden, Ben’s return comes with heavy baggage. After being arrested for credit fraud in the United States, Ben has been serving time in an American prison. His return to Walford is tied to a tragic event — he’s on day release to attend the funeral of Jonno, the father of his husband Callum (Tony Clay) and Stuart.

During his absence, Ben faced heartbreak, particularly after his close friend Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) passed away from brain cancer. Ben tried to secure life-saving treatment for Lola in the U.S., but her death left him devastated, and the consequences of his actions — particularly the fraud he committed — led to his prison sentence.

Stuart Highway’s Return

Alongside Ben, Ricky Champ reprises his role as Stuart Highway. Stuart, who left Walford with his wife Rainie (Tanya Franks) in 2022, is also returning for a brief stint. Stuart had been battling breast cancer and depression, and his mental health struggles were explored deeply during his previous storyline. Despite receiving the all-clear from his doctor, Stuart’s unresolved emotional issues regarding his son Roland, born via surrogate, left him grappling with grief.

Now, Stuart and Ben return to Walford, and tensions are high. While Stuart has been living a quieter life away from the turmoil of the Square, his return signals that old wounds may reopen.

What’s at Stake: Family Tensions

The return of both Ben and Stuart is set against a backdrop of intense family drama. Callum, who has been trying to rebuild his life after the trauma of Stuart’s health battles and their complicated relationship, is now dealing with a new challenge. He’s also been grappling with his feelings for Johnny Carter (Charlie Suffron), which causes friction with both Ben and his family.

Ben’s sudden reappearance could further complicate matters, especially as he still has unresolved feelings for his family and his past life in Walford. Fans have speculated that this return could stir up old feelings and rekindle unresolved issues between Ben, Callum, and Stuart. It remains to be seen whether Ben will try to rebuild his marriage with Callum or if he will face another heartbreaking loss.

A New Chapter for the Highways

Stuart’s return comes with its own set of challenges. Having gone through so much in the past few years, Stuart’s emotional journey will continue to evolve, especially as he confronts his past and his troubled relationship with his brother. Will Stuart and Rainie’s new life free from the Square’s chaos hold up, or will the ghosts of their pasts return to haunt them?

Final Thoughts: Drama on the Horizon

As Ben and Stuart return to Walford, there is no shortage of drama ahead. Their respective returns will surely bring about deep emotional moments, unresolved tension, and difficult decisions for everyone involved. With their comebacks, EastEnders is set to deliver more of the gripping, heart-wrenching storytelling that fans have come to love.

The reunions of Ben and Stuart are sure to stir up past conflicts, challenge existing relationships, and set the stage for what promises to be an emotional rollercoaster for the Mitchell and Highway families. The drama is just beginning — and it’s bound to get even more intense as more secrets unfold in the coming episodes.

Stay tuned to EastEnders to see how the return of these beloved characters will reshape the future of Walford.