Ben Mitchell's back... but not as we know it!

Been dying to know what the new Ben would look like! I'm glad he's still got the same hair and still wearing the glasses. I hope the character hasn't been changed too much, but I'm looking forward to seeing him in the show. He kind of looks more like Jay than Old Ben though.

OMG!! the new Ben is he grown up??

When I first saw the picture I actually thought it was the old actor. Why are Ben and Lauren getting replaced though?

Wow! Just like the old Ben. I hope he has toughen up now instead of being a cry baby.



I would like Ben to team up with Jay as best mates and they could be the new Martin and Asif causing trouble around the square.

These changes always churn out the same unpleasant characters - how the middle class writers imagine working class children and characters behave. Having seen the amount of casual violence - punching and hitting people - over the past couple of weeks and the new Lucy - sorry Lauren - snide, huffy and unpleasant, I think I know exactly what the new Ben will be like.

ben is the best

A new Lauren, a new Ben, a new Lucy what is Brian Kirkwood playing at. Okay replacing Ben and Lauren I understand, but Lucy. Melissa did a fantastic job with Lucy. I absolutley loved her acting, no one can play Lucy better than Melissa

what an awesome re-cast. Kirkwood is a genius at re-casting. Joshua looks exactly like how Charlie would look like if he looked older. They could pass as twins!!



I hope by your first comment that Ben doesn't change too much. I really love his friendship with shirley and hope their last scene together wasn't a hint he'll turn horrible to her.



its really sweet what he said about steve & linda aww :)

OMG? LOL. How much taller is the new Ben??

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Hate the new Lauren, people don't change that much that quickly, I wouldn't have thought Ben being locked away for such a time would have changed too much, though a toughie son would suit Phil.

Agree he's the image of Jay, are they related? Eastenders has always been my favourite but its boring me with all the changes

Re-casting is sometimes much needed, and i do feel this re-cast was a wise move.... but what worries me is they they may change the characters journey hes already taken.

he reminds me of me at that age, and early signs of a bright fun personality, gay and proud of it, who loves life, musicals and people - with parents whom you would not believe would be supportive- and yet they are amazing.



i do really hope the BBC and eastenders wrighters do not change bens path!

who the heck is this bring back ben

matty - this is ben. its a new actor replacing charlie jones as he wasn't suitable for the role anymore.

I hope he doesnt change so dramatically as the new Lauren did, as that was just pathetic. Im pleased at the way he looks at least he looks similar to the old ben unlike the new lauren did to the old one.

i liked the old ben this dont look any thing like him :( x

ohh no. i love eastenders but its disappointing when they replace a well known loved character with an unfamiliar face.. its just never the same. Take Lauren as example she's not just a different actress but a completely different character in the show. not good!

im surprsied some people dont see the similarities with old and new ben. i think Joshua is the double of charlie.

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Let's hope that he'll be just like the old Ben. I loved Charlie. :P

The new ben does kind of look similar to the old one.... but is it just me or does he really look like fogel in superbad... oh and i like the new lauren the old one was ok but i think the new one is better. But no one can replace melissa as lucy.

I find all this re-casting very disappointing. Changing established cast members just doesn't work for me. To swap 3 established cast members - Lauren, Ben & Lucy - for new faces, is just ridiculous. If they dont want them in the series anymore just write them out. Invent new characters instead. The new Lauren just isn't the same as the old, and they will never be able to replace Lucy. Melissa Suffield has made the role her own.

Ok I understand actors leave and you have to get new ones but the new Lauren not only looks different but has a completely different personality! That's ridiculous. We know Ben will be changed by his experience inside, but I do so hope the writters will remember his core personality - we can believe the changed face if we still see the same lovely Ben underneath. Ben is a 'good person' and really good people don't become bad people when they have bad experiences, they deal with it in other ways - more likely to be sad than bad. Try to be realistic, please. And now I hear that we are getting a new actor for Lucy - very hard to see that working. Melissa IS Lucy, full stop.

Wow you have found a look a like for ben but could have found someone who looks more like the old lauren.

He looks very similar. Hope he doesn't have a squeeky voice like the old Ben haha.



I also like the new actress potraying Lauren, she seems more mature. Which is good.



Can't wait to see the new Lucy Beale, anyone know when she will be appearing on out screen?!

Dont really want to see new character of Ben, bring back the old!!! Same with Lauren, Bring back the old Lauren and take the New Lauren out!!

ben's face has gotten thinner lol. hopefully this 1 will have a less annoying voice than charlie jones has.

Dont get me wrong, i love new actors, and im all for welcoming young actors to albert square, im just worried the characters will change to much!! Plus, whats happened to the old actors?? They created the character, now Lauren and Ben are different!!

But on the plus side, this week looks AMAZING!! Cant wait to see whats gonna happen with Baby lilly and her dad!! Love it :P

Well done Eastenders Cast, another brilliant episode last night!! :D x

Good luck to the next Ben,



To say the last Ben was in South Africa, and went to school in South Africa, why could you not tell he had be living there

re-casting is denfitly something that has to be done as the character matures from a child to a young adult, and as u get older Your face and features change. I must admit he does look very different but if u look at the recent material with lauren giving billie jackson booze at his birthday party is it unusal after all she is 16 now and can drink beer in her own home or a adult can order her wine in a pub. she just cant legally drink spirts or pay for it but dont lots of teenagers binge drink anyway of course they do it is called having fun!!! and anyway never liked the old lauren she would hav just stayed and looked like a 13 year old all her life which is unrelistic and people do grow up

Noooo there can't be a new lucy... yes ben and lauren can be replaced but not her

Oh got, not another replacement character! lets hope he's better than the awful Lauren replacement! that replacement is awful! very irritating and she cant act.



why not just keep the same characters?!

Didn't like Ben anyway, need a new 'proper' Mitchell man! Think the re-casting of Lauren has been a mistake and agree with all the other posts that Melissa Suffield made the role of Lucy her own but she wasn't re-cast like the others she was sacked because of poor behaviour. Such a shame!

interesting...

intresting,

this ben now looks like a mitchell!!

"Throw away the tap shoes, bin the Judy Garland CDs and bury the West End musical ticket stubs."









I have to say, I don't like this. Having Ben be gay or questioning, was a story that I was looking forward to playing out over the years. The idea of Ben being a different kind of guy, one who is questioning his sexuality, and possibly being gay, added a whole new layer to the relationship and there were a lot of great story line possibilities in there.



I am disappointed. Just like I was disappointed when Billy's Janet was moved away from the Square (because I was looking forward o watching a Down's Syndrome child grow up on the Square, and all the stories that would have brought.)

It`s totally ridiculous & unprofessional to bring in different actors to play existing characters. The new Lauren is a disaster. Not only does she look totally different but she`s had a personality transplant & not for the better. I`m not looking forward to the new Ben. His hair colour & face shape are wrong & no doubt his personality will be different. If EE carries on with this farce of changing actors I won`t be watching. They should keep the original actors. Change Kirkwood & co instead.

I like the new Lauren, she looks kind of similar and is a more flexible actor, we never knew the old one that well. The new Ben looks ok and he is at the age when he should be growing up quickly.



I think it was a bad idea to replace Lucy. Melissa was very distinctive and played a major role in many storylines. She also had characteristics of her mother which made her seem an authentic daughter of Cindy. It's hard to see how she can be improved on.

I agree with David, Lucy was a great character and I don't think she should be replaced, no one can play Lucy better than Mellisa in my opinion.

I don't mind the new lauren but she has changed quite a bit.

I'm quite looking forward to seeing what the new ben will be like but i hope they haven't changed him too much, he was one of my favourites and i think he could have had a few better story lines. Also im not sure if the new ben looks too much like the old, he seems different ):

I hope he'll return and be harder than Billy Mitchell, that'll surely make Billy see that hes outta place in the family, better yet Morgan Jackson - King would manage to beat up Billy Mitchell so thats not saying much.



I just want to send a message out to Joshua Pascoe so Mr. Pascoe I am directing this point of my message to you, I want to wish you Joshua Pascoe all the best of luck in the role of Benjamin Mitchell, hopefully you will have settled in to BBC Elstree very nicely, and what I have read in your colleague Patsy Palmer's Autobiography, the Actors and Crew are all very nice and supportive to new talent so I do believe you're in great hands, especially as you have the legend Steve McFadden as your on-screen father and likewise another legend Adam Woodyatt as your on-screen half-brother, so you have an amazing start right off the bat, plus you have seasoned actors like Pam St. Clements, June Brown, Linda Henry (who you mentioned that you're looking forward to working with), John Bardon, Jake Wood, Lacey Turner (who has come into her own this past couple years on BBC EastEnders) and more, not to mention your BBC EastEnders Grandma is Barbara Windsor and I am sure she will be making regular visits to the set in a off-screen capacity as will your "uncle" Ross Kemp so this is an amazing opportunity for you. As one of the BIGGEST BBC EastEnders fans out there I am very jealous, all the very best in support and wishes to you Joshua Pascoe, i'll look forward to be seeing you on my television very soon. Take care.

i really think that its confusing with different actors/actresses and i cant picture them :L

andy what do you mean by seasoned actors? Linda is just as good as steve & adam. if not better than steve at the day-to day stuff. steve is amazing when he's given decent material but he looks bored when he's given crap.

why is there a new Ben anyway? Well, if there is then at least he looks a little like Ben. Still got the glasses but will the new Ben act the same? cant wait to find out :P

im a better look like then he is i actually get asked if i play ben mitchell if you want to see me in picture go on facebook and type in calvin smith - cambridge and add as a friend my profile pic is ben mitchell

I think brian kirkwood has done great job in bringing in Joshua Pascoe to elstree studios and offering him the role of ben mitchell,



Also .... I was wondering if he would bring back bens bully when he was in the youth detention center who punched phil?? In conclusion that would be a great story line if the new ben was confronted by him again BUT this time stood up to him !!!

It will be interesting to see how Ben's character has changed and how this will affect his relationship's with his dad and brother etc. Glad to see him back. Hope great story lines come his way.

that is ben ! i can hardly say anything that looks simmerler about him lets see how he goes and then we judge how he is ..

wow they do look similiar i hope bens grown up whilst being in prison

i want ben to come back a bit tougher but have a hint of the timid wimpy kid still there

I think it will work fine as long as they don't completely forget the character development that has gone before like they did with Danniella Westbrook returned as Sam. While the new Lauren is definitely more brash than the previous one I find it much easier to believe that this version of Lauren would have run her father over. It never really rang true with the old one, great as she was as a younger character she never really grew. In terms of Ben, the scenes where he attacked Jordan showed that Charlie Jones was not really capable of carrying off adult material. I hope the new one plays out how damaging a short spell in prison can be, but at the same time doesn't lose the campness etc. As for Lucy Beale, I might be the only one thinking this but for me a lot of her performances verged on panto villain so I'm looking forward to the change...

He looks horrible I liked the new Ben best.

i think eastenders is changing to many actors... laurens come back and acting completly differnt and there is going to be a new lucy as well soon and i bet she will change her personality to

welard was changed 3 times to it just wasen't the same :( lol

Omg I hope he is like the old ben though because ben was a big character i hope he lives up to expectations.

WELL. I Must say . i was really looking forward seeing the new ben ;] and i think his alright .. almost like twins :] hope he's better though :] Good Luck x

noo not another replacement but they both look the same so never mind and good luck to the new ben !!!!:]

I lovee Ben, I hope the new ones nawt gunna be too different! The new Ben looks a lot like Jay dont yas think?? =]

I wonder if someone from Eastenders production/bbc will really read our comments???

not liking the new Lauren at all,, can't stand the charactor Lucy, but shows you what a good job Melissa done with the role,, as for replacing Ben ????? Why bother, poor Charlie who played the part for the last 4 years, cast aside like an old shoe,, would love to see these kids mature and grow , but new bosses always think they know best !! so far not impressed at all !!!

Im glad to see a tougher looking Ben but is it all just looks. I just hope he is tougher than when he went in the nikk. Its about time he had the front to really stand up to his dad. Thumbs up from me if he does cant waite for return.

Hes definitely a mitchell look a like now. he looks part of the family looking alot tougher in all. but i cant believe theyre replacing actor melissa who plays lucy.

Cool! Just hope he dosen't turn out like Lauren!

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woah dat iz kl :) , da old ben luked lyk a bit ova wimp 2bf, but dis lad doesnt luk 2 bad:)

plus i cor wait tell e cmz out on da soap:) lukz lyk da square is in for a bit ova surprise;)

Heather Deans : lol i ope he duznt, lauren iz a bit ova control freak 2bf i wish da old lauren wud cme bk, cuz i fink she waz less annoying:)

the new ben. wooow lol im a huge fan of eastenders.... ee 4eva

Um

dont they understand that abby and jordan r the same age as ben and he looks a lot older and is taller :S

He looks like a 20 year old in kids clothing :/ , and with lauren .. the character has been completely changed . lauren would never do any of the things that shes up to at the moment ,

Now we know this actor has been cast to play the part of Ben Mitchell. When will we see pictures of the new Lucy Beale. It would have been nice if Melissa was kept in Easties to play the part of Lucy as she fitted the part very well. I would have like to have seen how the new Lauren got on with Melissa on set. I am sure they would have got up to lots of mischief together.

LOL,looks nothing like him but i'm sure like the new Lauren

there will be a completely different change in this Ben! can't wait.

i think jay and ben shud hav a fite

hey i ant wait to see the new ben!! me and ma best pal kenny totaly love eastendrs and wee likd ben so i would like to see the new ben and give my honist appinion :)



stephen

BEN AND JAY TO BECOME THE NEW PHIL AND GRANT

Been dying to know what the new Ben would look he looks so much older i think ben and jay will become the new phil and grant can not wait to see what Happens when he comes back

I don't think that Ben will like Jay being like his brother at first because of what happened with hi sister. But I think they will have that love-hate relationship at the end.

I Am really not liking the charather changes right now but they have to change, I just hope ben accepts Jay as part of the fam as he's been away for a long time. I Why is everybody changing its confusing :?

awhh! i think im gonna miss the old ben.

although, i see why they changed him; his story lines were getting a bit tedious and a new direction to the character might be just what is needed.

goodluck to Pascoe.

It seems Kirkwood has started to destroy another soap, the new Ben and Lauren ar both terrible actors, Ben is a now surly miserable so and so who obviously can't read because he never says a word, I reckon because he can't read a script so the put him ther to fill screen space or is he a cardboard cut out, well his acting is wooden.

Lauren is just as bad, both seem to have had personlity transplants, oh and Lauren needs a face transplant, the orignal was a pretty girl the new one is something that has escaped from the London dungeon, always scowling and very ugly, she won't get any modelling contracts, get rid of Kirkwood, Ben and Lauren before your viewers get rid of watching you bring back Santer at least he had some empathy for the chracters, if Kirkwood thinks this is going to win extra viewers he is sadly mistaken and very misguided. The comic moments that lifted the show have gone, why? It's now too full on all the time. And why get rid of Ryan a true beacon of light in the dark. Sorry but it's true. Have ITV planted Kirkwood to sabotage the show? That is the only reason I can see why he is there.

In my opinion I prefer the new ben and i think him and jay should team up to cause trouble. BUT I really don't like the new lauren, the other one was better - the new one is boring (no offence)

LOVE EASTENDERS 4EVA!

:) XXXXXXX

He speaks to the sode of his mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

He doesnt speak much does he ....

I think that Joshua Pascoe is a brilliant actor for Ben Mitchell , I think that he kinda looks like charlie jones but there not idential . The old Ben was a good actor too but i dont think he would have suitted the role of the more tuffer Ben , I do think that he should talk abit more tho , he seems to quiet . Plus i think ( as people have said earlyer ) Ben and Jay the new Phil and Grant :o). Personal i love he new Ben and i think hes propper fit ,well better that anybody else in Eastenders exept from Jay obverusoly . Cant wait to see what Ben and Jay get up in later episodes gunna be GREAT :oD

P.S I thought the Bens welcome home party scene was FAB with Glenda pissing off people . I also think that it was a great storyline about him pushing Glenda down the stairs BRILL , which we found out a couple of days ago.

why are they changing so many characters? it is really unrealistic because people dont change that much in such a short time the new ben is probaly better though because he actually looks like a proper mitchel but changing lauren was probaly one of the biggest mistakes ever because the new lauren just seems to have a diffrent personality to the old one i think that the old lauren would never do the things the new lauren is up to now she seems to be a diffrent person but she is actually lauren branning im sorry to say this but the person who plays her is not a very good actress either i just think that her dramatic scenes are the worst they are just so painful to watch and i have also heard there is going to be a new Lucy i cant believe they think they can actually replace Melissa she was so good at playing Lucy i dont think anyone can replace her i think if a person does not want to play a character anymore i just think you should write them out of the show because like i said before it is so unrealistic also if to many more characters are changed i dont think i can bare to watch EastEnders anymore because if you get many more people that act like the new lauren the ratings will go down so fast before you can say the show is cancelled so when you want to replace another character i would seriously think about if its really the right thing to do for the show. (ps dont even think about replacing peter because i love thomas lawxxx lol )

He LOOKS nothing like ben, He ACTS nothing like ben, wheres the ben we all love and adore? Not the one who pushes people down stairs, threatens them and then covers up. He's sweet and innocent. And he doesnt DANCE ANYMORE :O

i dont like this ben very much! he used to be so shy and inocent, why change him so much? you should of brang the new ben still shy and inocent and then gradually changed him, i vote bring back the old ben. this ben is to cocky and looks too much like a bad boy if you know what i mean?

I don't like the new Ben either. He's much too different. I know prison is supposed to have changed him but not physically!! Why did they have to get rid of the other Ben? I preferred the other Lauren too, although I am getting used to the new one. And he DOES NOT look anything like the old Ben! Just because he has dark hair and glasses doesn't make him look like the old Ben, unlike what some people are saying on here. You all need to get your eyes tested.