EastEnders: Possible axings
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With a new producer starting soon, we’re bound to see changes in the cast. Both Iqra & Ash have already left the show this week, suggesting axings have already begun. Who else can you see being at risk of leaving?
I expect Mila is out the door next, I cannot see a future for her on the show at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw exits for the following in the next few months:
- Mila (Iqra’s gone, she has no characterisation besides that, basically just a glorified extra)
- Isaac (they barely even show him anymore, I know there was the schizophrenia stuff but it was only a thing for about a month and never mentioned again. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was given the axe as Sen’s left)
- Lola (I’m on the fence about this, since she’s connected to both Ben & Billy who I doubt are going anywhere. But I can see her maybe moving away with Isaac for a new start. She’s barely utilised as it is and has done nothing since her return anyway, but I don’t know if the writers would want to split Ben from his daughter again so if they do want to keep her, actually use her and not make her a glorified background character!)
- Gray Atkins (he’ll obviously leave soon once this serial killer story ends, and good riddance)
- Karen Taylor (it honestly depends on how much she’s liked by Clenshaw, but I feel like her time is up. Once all the stuff comes out about Gray and Chantelle, it would make sense for her to leave Walford)
- Mitch Baker (it’s a shame as I think Roger is a good actor and Mitch does show potential, but again, I can see him leaving with Karen. The Taylors have outstayed their welcome now. Bailey will go with him, but I reckon they’ll keep Keegan on because they won’t want to get rid of another character in their depleted young cast, but also because Zack has potential and his sandwich business is a very valid reason to stay in Walford)
- Bernadette Taylor (I know she’s on a break right now but apparently she’s coming back soon, I reckon it’ll be a short return and she’ll leave again, either once her baby is born or when (well, if) Karen and Mitch leave)
- Tom/Rocky Cotton (I reckon Brian Conley only signed a year contract anyway, he’ll probably be gone by Christmas)
I wouldn’t be surprised if the likes of Peter, Dotty & Vinny were also at risk of leaving. However, I think they’ll keep them on because Peter is a legacy character (despite the actor being terrible in the role), Dotty is also a legacy character (or so we thought - really hoping that the ‘twist’ was just Sandy lying all along, I’d hate it if they retconned a major link to both Nick & Dot), and with Ash gone, I can’t see them also getting rid of Vinny, I just think they need to give him better material.
I expect Mila is out the door next, I cannot see a future for her on the show at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw exits for the following in the next few months:
- Mila (Iqra’s gone, she has no characterisation besides that, basically just a glorified extra)
- Isaac (they barely even show him anymore, I know there was the schizophrenia stuff but it was only a thing for about a month and never mentioned again. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was given the axe as Sen’s left)
- Lola (I’m on the fence about this, since she’s connected to both Ben & Billy who I doubt are going anywhere. But I can see her maybe moving away with Isaac for a new start. She’s barely utilised as it is and has done nothing since her return anyway, but I don’t know if the writers would want to split Ben from his daughter again so if they do want to keep her, actually use her and not make her a glorified background character!)
- Gray Atkins (he’ll obviously leave soon once this serial killer story ends, and good riddance)
- Karen Taylor (it honestly depends on how much she’s liked by Clenshaw, but I feel like her time is up. Once all the stuff comes out about Gray and Chantelle, it would make sense for her to leave Walford)
- Mitch Baker (it’s a shame as I think Roger is a good actor and Mitch does show potential, but again, I can see him leaving with Karen. The Taylors have outstayed their welcome now. Bailey will go with him, but I reckon they’ll keep Keegan on because they won’t want to get rid of another character in their depleted young cast, but also because Zack has potential and his sandwich business is a very valid reason to stay in Walford)
- Bernadette Taylor (I know she’s on a break right now but apparently she’s coming back soon, I reckon it’ll be a short return and she’ll leave again, either once her baby is born or when (well, if) Karen and Mitch leave)
- Tom/Rocky Cotton (I reckon Brian Conley only signed a year contract anyway, he’ll probably be gone by Christmas)
I wouldn’t be surprised if the likes of Peter, Dotty & Vinny were also at risk of leaving. However, I think they’ll keep them on because Peter is a legacy character (despite the actor being terrible in the role), Dotty is also a legacy character (or so we thought - really hoping that the ‘twist’ was just Sandy lying all along, I’d hate it if they retconned a major link to both Nick & Dot), and with Ash gone, I can’t see them also getting rid of Vinny, I just think they need to give him better material.
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Comments
we dont know either were axed though
Lola should be killed off with an illness and Lexi should be raised by Ben. Lola isn't needed but Lexi is.
axed/contracts not renewed whichever way you put it, they would have been let go of as it's come in a short spate of time. It's clear TPTB was going to kill them off in the bomb plot before the Beeb axed it because of the threat with Liverpool bombing and possible outcry from the UK public.
I agree with this. Considering they always talk about how they champion diversity, this certainly isn’t a good look for them. It’s a shame though because looking back, it does almost feel like they were all introduced to tick a box, barely being given any character development or storylines.
Almost all of the BAME characters introduced under Oates & Sen were given little to no character development - Habiba, Iqra, Ash, Vinny, Kheerat, Jags, Suki, Isaac, Sheree & Mila have all been given little, if any, major storylines, and they haven’t even been developed properly compared to other characters, it seems. Suki & Kheerat have appeared on screen more, but again, their backstory has barely been explored. Even Isaac, who had a schizophrenia storyline, was barely even developed before being given such a major plot, and even when he was given the story, it was forgotten about after a month.
If you’re going to introduce diverse characters, don’t do it as a box ticking exercise. Have a plan for the character, and make sure you work on developing their character before you even cast them.
No , we already have enough parentless kids and the obvious storyline for her would be looking for her mother . I don't know why they 've never done that .
wanna back up your claims that the Beeb axed it because of the Liverpool Bombing? i await the proof
I wouldn’t let go of them just yet. I just hope new producer Chris Clenshaw actually develops them properly, as well as Vinny, and maybe look at bringing back Ash and introducing the dad. There is potential there, it just hasn’t been reached under Jon Sen. In addition, I feel like axing three more BAME characters won’t be a good look - and it’ll mean zero Asian characters in the show.
I hope Lola isn’t killed off, although it feels like the only way they’d be able to justify Lexi living with Ben but not with Lola.
thats a no then lol, you claim the Beeb axed it because of the Liverpool bombing, but refuse to provide any evidence of that, ( and before you tell me to do my own research, ive searched for any articles confirming what you said, and there isn't any)
In comparison, here is proof from the Metro Soap Journalist that the bomb was never going to go off
https://twitter.com/DuncanLindsay/status/1478510961292152835
There's no story in it thats why. Lola is 25, never needed a mother. Whats the story going to be about, knock knock, whose there, lola, lola who, lola your daughter. Can i have a hug? No. The end.
Lola is only 25?
Keegan and Bailey can go.
Karen will have little to no purpose without Mitch as she only seems to appear in scenes with him. I actually quite like his friendship with Mick. EE really lacks on friendship front.
She has the washing machines. Shes the agony aunt of the square when they are feeling sad
Are you one of the storyliners for EE these days? I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s one of their scripts.
She's a few months younger than Ben who turns 26 in March
I miss the Slater family. A lot of the storylines were centered round them in the past.
They could have developed The Panesars better than they have. Sorry to see Ash leave. Kheerat never gets much of a look in when it comes to storylines. I don't agree axing the Asian characters. It isn't a good look for a programme who allegedly champions diversity.
Karen, Mitch and Keegan not much going on there.
The Gray Chelsea and Whitney storyline that I do like even though after the Christmas episodes it all went quiet. But hopefully now the storyline will be major.
Sharron, Phil going to be spending some time in the big hoose.
Then there's Zack and Nancy. No idea where all that's going.
I'd separate Mick and Linda and have them living apart and giving them individual storylines.
Shirley is a good character but to me has always been underused.
Sonia she's around but that's it. Rocky I do like and I like Dotty too,
There is quite a number of the cast I would personally axe. Though having said that if a character doesn't get a good storyline then you don't get the chance to see what they are actually capable of.
As much as I'm not a fan of Janine's Charlie Brooks plays her well.
I like Ben and Callum Rainie and Stuart.
Dotty's material this year for me has consisted of "let's throw everything we can at her and see what sticks" yet she still feels as hollow as ever. It wouldn't surprise me to see her go soon.
Mila has in all likelihood already gone.
Can't see Rocky or Aaron staying particularly long.
They're obviously not going to be axed but I just have a feeling Stuart & Rainie are not going to be sticking around for too much longer. Hopefully I'm very wrong on that one - they're two of my favourite characters. I also have my doubts about just how long-term a character Chelsea is going to be.
Sharon and Phil , prison , their cruise ship sinks and they are trapped on a island . I don't care . Just get them off my screen.
Gray , obviously .
Everyone else currently doesn't annoy me too much . Eve even makes Stacey nicer . Maybe it's because it's a new dynamic and she isn't treating a guy like a piece of shit while playing the victim .
Aaron and Gray both have shelf lives and won’t be here by the summer I’d imagine.
I’d usually say Rainie as I don’t think Tanya Franks commits long term to roles but she’s been here some time now. Vi is likely returning soon to look for the son she gave up for adoption but I think she might then go.
Controversial, but I think Jay is now a spare part more than ever. The pairing with Honey doesn’t work and they’ve pretty much given up on his friendship with Ben and relationship with Phil.
I’ve never been a fan of Mitch and Bailey but Karen I love.
I agree on the face of it not very good at all. EE has problems on screen and Emmerdale has bigger uglier problems off screen.
Re: axings - I don't think Karen's going anywhere.
Isaac
Thomas/Rocky
Mitch & Bailey
Peter
Bernie
Gray - leaving anyway (we hope)
Aaron - likely to be leaving
The Monroes are short term and will depart when the far right story ends. Dana possibly may stay depending how the story goes.
Issac and Lola have potential just need development. However they fall into the danger zone of middle of the road characters who may be axed to make room for new ones. My only worry would be that they kill Lola off in order to make ballum full time parents.
Mitch possibly but I can't see Karen going anywhere. TBTB seem to view her as a popular character, I wouldn't be surprised if some never before heard of Taylor comes out of the woodwork before long.
Dotty and Rocky I feel they will try to redeem. The fact that he's a beale could possibly save Peter.
I can't see any of the rest of the Panesars leaving just yet. Suki, Kheerat and Vinny seem to be getting some development which is something atleast.