EastEnders stars who’ve cracked Hollywood after quitting soap – and which ones Stateside dreams fizzled
EASTENDERS has launched hundreds of careers over the years – with some stars going on to achieve worldwide fame.
Some of the soap’s matriarchs such as Phil Mitchell, Sonia Fowler and Jack Branning have remained in Walford for decades now.
However, other characters have left as the stars behind them ran for the (Hollywood) hills.
Rob Kazinsky
One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.
He played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.
The 40-year-old also starred in the sixth series of smash hit Tue Blood.
Ben Hardy
The TV hunk is best known on UK soil for playing Peter, the son of Ian Beale.
Ben quit EastEnders almost a decade ago and went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay’s Netflix movie 6 Underground.
Michelle Ryan
Michelle Ryan was part of the most iconic TV moments of the Noughties, when her EastEnders character Zoe Slater shouted at her mum – who she thought was her sister – Kat Slater: “You ain’t my mother!”
However, she left the BBC soap after five years, in 2005, leaving fans devastated.
And it wasn’t long until she was back on our screens – and in the States too, as she starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.
Mimi Keene
It’s unlikely Cindy Jr. will return any time soon following her mum’s return, as the actress who played her, Mimi Keene, has become a huge star.
After leaving EastEnders in 2015, Mimi went on to star in movies Close and Tolkein.
She currently stars in Netflix’s Sex Education, playing Ruby Matthews.
Sam Strike
Sam Strike joined EastEnders with the rest of the Carter family, as the youngest son Johnny, in 2013.
He had a very memorable moment when his character came out to his dad Mick, played by Danny Dyer – but he was only on the show for a year.
The actor has appeared in blockbusters Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Leatherface.
Patsy Palmer
Patsy is considered soap royalty for her portrayal of Bianca Jackson – with her first stint in 1993 for six years.
She returned in 2008 and was a permanent fixture in EastEnders until 2014.
After leaving the soap Patsy, 52, quit the UK and relocated to Hollywood with her family.
The star hasn’t had many notable roles Stateside but is also a DJ – something she shows off on her Instagram page.
EastEnders facts and figures
THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
Here’s the latest on:
- EastEnders spoilers
- New, leaving and returning cast members
- Where is EastEnders filmed and can you visit the set?
- Inside EastEnders abandoned original set
- The history of EastEnders iconic pub The Queen Victoria
- The biggest ever ‘duff duff’ moments
- Longest serving cast members
- Shocking Albert Square serial killers
- The soap’s most iconic episodes