EastEnders fans are introduced to the sixth version of Ben Mitchell tonight (April 1) as Phil's son makes his long-awaited return to Walford.
Former Waterloo Road regular Max Bowden has taken over the role of Ben, following in the footsteps of previous actor Harry Reid.
We've been keeping you posted on all things Ben Mitchell in recent weeks following news of his head swap, but if you need a quick refresher, here's everything we know about the recast in one place.
Goodbye Harry (January 2018)
News broke in October 2017 that Ben would be leaving the show as part of a cast shake-up. John Yorke, who was serving as executive consultant at the time, decided to write out Harry Reid's character alongside other members of the younger cast like Lauren and Abi Branning.
The surprise decision sparked a mixed reaction from fans at the time, with some even petitioning EastEnders bosses to reconsider their choice to lose "the best Ben" from the show. Harry had played the character since 2014.
Ben's exit scenes saw him fleeing the country on a ferry to France after stealing Aidan Maguire's heist money. When Ben arrived, he discovered that the cash had been replaced with newspapers, but there was a silver lining when he found an envelope of notes still in his pocket.
What to Read Next
Speaking to Digital Spy after his final scenes aired, Harry explained: "I was surprised when they told me [I was leaving]. But that's because when you're in EastEnders or another soap, you're in a job where you've got continuous work, which you don't normally get as an actor.
"You tend to psychologically, without knowing it, sit back a little bit. So when you're told that you're leaving, in your mind, you know you then have to readjust.
"But I never wanted to stay in EastEnders for my entire life. I've always said that, so actually I'm happy with the run that I've had. I'm privileged to have had that, because I had great storylines."
The talented star wasn't out of work for long, signing up for the lead role of Leonard Vole in a production of Agatha Christie's Witness For The Prosecution at London's County Hall.
Hello Max (January 2019)
EastEnders bosses announced in January this year that Ben had been recast yet again. This time they'd brought on board Max Bowden, who previously played troubled schoolboy Justin Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road in 2014 and 2015.
The decision to recast Ben was made by EastEnders' senior executive producer Kate Oates, who took office at the show in late 2018 following her successful stints in charge of Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
Oates later spoke exclusively to Digital Spy about the choice to recast, explaining: "Harry Reid is an awesome actor and I think he did really well with Ben. I really enjoyed watching him.
"[But] I just want to take the character in a different direction and that's why I've gone for somebody different. I know that recasts sometimes ruffle some feathers and I know that sometimes people think they won't gel with that character the same way they used to.
"I just hope people give Max a chance, because he's a great actor and I'm really excited by what we've been storylining. It does shine a light on a different facet of Ben and that's why we've gone somewhere else. It's a whole new era and that's what we want to emphasise."
Harry Reid also later spoke to Digital Spy about the decision to recast, admitting that he would have returned as Ben if he'd been asked. However, he also insisted there were no hard feelings.
Showing an extremely mature attitude to the on-screen switcheroo, Harry told us: "This is business and this is the game that we're in. The acting industry is very cut-throat. I've said before that I didn't come into this industry to play one part, because I love exploring different characters' lives and personalities.
"All it's done is closed that door fully, whereas before it was half open. But doors do close and then other ones open. It is a shame and it is frustrating because I still love the character of Ben. For me he's one of the most exciting characters to play on the Square. Max has landed a great part and I wish him the best of luck, because I'm sure he'll have a lot of fun with it."
What's next for Ben? (April 2019)
As you'd expect from a returning member of the Mitchell family, Ben will be thrown back into the deep end with some big storylines. First on the agenda will be involving himself in Phil's troubles, tagging along for his latest meeting with Danny Hardcastle in Tuesday's episode (April 2).
Ben is back alongside Lola Pearce and their daughter Lexi, and there's some intrigue afoot as Lola is hiding a big secret in her early days back on the Square.
Kate Oates has also hinted that there'll be a new love interest for Ben further on down the line, especially as he's now more comfortable with his sexuality than ever before.
When we caught up with Max recently, he told us: "I think in terms of sexuality, Ben is very more open with the fact that he is gay and he is very, very okay with it. He's come back and he's accepted who he is. He has accepted the kind of different lifestyle and I think that is helped by Phil's attitude to it as well.
"Like I said, he was starting to come to terms with it, starting to understand the concept of his son not being what he expected him to be and I think that definitely has helped Ben be open with his dad as well."
Discussing Ben's return more generally, Max revealed: "Ben's been away in Portugal and they're essentially building the family relationship between Lexi and himself. So he's been back and forward to Newcastle, where Lola's been. There is a reason they are coming back, we've come back with a little trouble.
"He's been working with a few people out there. He's kind of built himself up a little friendship base. He's been working with some dodgy deals, which has spurred him on to help the clan again."
EastEnders airs Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our EastEnders homepage
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video - hit play below for all the latest EastEnders spoilers, as Ben Mitchell returns with Lola, and Ruby hopes for justice at the trial.
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
