EastEnders’ Ben Mitchell attends his father-in-law’s funeral and finds out Callum cheated on Johnny Carter. The news shocks him. And with everything he thought he knew turned upside down. Now, Ben has to decide what comes next. Keep scrolling to see how this confrontation at the graveside could change his life and the people around him.
Family Tragedy and Emotional Strain
Ben has had a rough few years. Before finding out about Callum’s betrayal, he went to the United States. He went there to try finding some alternative treatments for Lola Pearce. Lola is Lexi’s mother. And she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
During that time, he stole somebody’s credit card and was eventually caught. And he was imprisoned in America for this reason. Ben has been through a lot. He faced immense pressure while he dealt with Lola’s illness and then later when she died. But the part that broke him was trying to capture those stories on camera. Only recently, he had lost a very dear friend to the same sickness.
Max Bowden said that the time when he was playing Ben was the most difficult one in his career. Now that he has come back for his father-in-law Jonno’s funeral, all the feelings are coming back. Also, it was even more saddening for Ben when he learnt that Callum was seeing someone else. After all that, Ben is realising that his partner is probably in love with Johnny and he is not the one. At the graveside, he was unsure what to do. With Ben’s family present, he felt awkward.
Max Bowden Explains EastEnders Departure And Personal Struggles
Max played Ben from 2019 to 2024 and left after 600 episodes due to the pressure of intense storylines. His break gave the character some space. Fans felt his absence. The role made a lasting impact on EastEnders. And it was exhausting for him. Lola’s illness and his own prison sentence required deep emotional investment. And Ben was physically and mentally drained after shooting these.
When he left the show, he could focus more on his mental health and fatherhood. He found Ben’s Lola storyline difficult. Returning for the funeral brought back key emotions. Ben’s reaction to Callum could change his relationships. At the graveside, Ben faces grief and betrayal, which could affect Walford. The episode follows Ben Mitchell as he faces betrayal and its effects on his future. For more EastEnders spoilers and updates, keep following Soap Opera Daily.