EastEnders star Max Bowden is being tipped for a return as Ben Mitchell.
The actor left the BBC soap last year after five years in the role, with the character’s exit coming after he was extradited to the US for credit card fraud.
However, The Sun has now reported that Bowden may return for a guest stint in the coming months, with a possible full-time role on the cards.
A source told the publication that new EastEnders producer Ben Wadey had a “list of characters he wanted to bring back” after taking over from Chris Clenshaw, with Ben Mitchell being one of them.
“It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year,” the source added.
BBC
Digital Spy has reached out to EastEnders, who declined to comment on the reports.
Addressing his exit from the soap last year, Bowden said he was experiencing burnout and “it was time for a rest”.
“The important thing was my time was ready. I was very tired, and like I said, I wasn’t me, I wasn’t,” he said when asked about his reasons for leaving the soap.
“The Max sat in front of you today was kind of a ghost, and they recognised that – I recognised that.”
BBC
On the burnout he experienced, he continued: “I did nearly six hundred episodes in five years, which is a hell of a lot, and it was time for a rest. The character was tired, I was tired, they [the producers] were probably tired of me being tired.
“From an honest perspective, I think yeah, a lot of it was that I needed to go for a bit. I needed to go work on me, get myself back to a place of really good mental health, focus on healing and also be a dad.”
It was also recently reported that Jake Wood is being tipped for a return as Max Branning, who last appeared on the BBC soap back in February 2021,
EastEnders fans may be in for a dramatic comeback, as Max Bowden is reportedly set to reprise his role as Ben Mitchell in the months ahead. Bowden, who portrayed the complex and often troubled son of Phil Mitchell from 2019 to 2023, left the soap last year following Ben’s onscreen exit — a storyline that saw the character extradited to the US for credit card fraud.
Now, a report from The Sun suggests Bowden could be returning to Albert Square for a guest stint, with the possibility of a full-time return later on. If true, this would mark a significant comeback for one of EastEnders’ most iconic and recast roles.
A New Era for EastEnders
According to the tabloid, the potential return is part of new EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey’s vision for revitalizing the soap. Wadey, who recently took over from Chris Clenshaw, reportedly came into the role with “a list of characters he wanted to bring back” — and Ben Mitchell was near the top.
A source stated: “It’s taken a little while to sort out, but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.” While the BBC has declined to officially comment, speculation among fans has been growing steadily.
This potential return is generating buzz not only because of Ben’s criminal exit but also due to the emotional weight the character carries. From troubled youth to emotionally damaged adult, Ben Mitchell has undergone numerous transformations over the years — and Bowden’s portrayal was widely praised for its emotional depth, especially during the harrowing sexual assault storyline and the character’s ongoing battle with trauma and identity.
Max Bowden on Why He Left
When Bowden exited the show in 2023, he was open about his reasons. In candid interviews, the actor explained that burnout and a need to focus on his mental health and family were major factors in his decision to leave.
“The important thing was my time was ready. I was very tired… I wasn’t me,” Bowden shared, describing his state of mind at the time. He admitted to feeling like “a ghost” of himself, saying that both he and the production team recognized he needed to step away.
Bowden had appeared in nearly 600 episodes over five years, an intense workload by any measure. He added, “The character was tired, I was tired, and they were probably tired of me being tired.” He also expressed a desire to focus on being a dad and rebuilding his mental well-being.
What Could Ben Mitchell’s Return Look Like?
If Bowden does return, the door is wide open for compelling storylines. Given that Ben was last seen being extradited to the United States for fraud, his return could involve legal complications, redemption arcs, or family drama with Phil and the rest of the Mitchell clan.
There’s also fertile ground in revisiting Ben’s fractured relationships, particularly with his daughter Lexi, his estranged husband Callum, and his complicated dynamic with father Phil Mitchell — a relationship that has always walked the line between loyalty and toxic masculinity.
More Returns on the Horizon?
Bowden may not be the only familiar face returning to EastEnders. It was recently reported that Jake Wood could also be making a comeback as Max Branning, who was last seen in February 2021. This further signals that Ben Wadey is taking a nostalgic-yet-strategic approach to reenergize EastEnders by reintroducing legacy characters while steering the show into new creative territory.
In summary:
Max Bowden’s time away from EastEnders appears to have been a much-needed period of healing and reflection. Now, with a new producer at the helm and whispers of his return swirling, fans may soon see Ben Mitchell back on the Square — possibly older, wiser, but just as explosive. As always with EastEnders, expect tension, turmoil, and maybe even a twist or two.
