Matthew James Morrison is set to bid farewell to EastEnders after three years on Albert
Square. The actor, 32, who portrays Felix Baker, joined the show in 2019 as a cousin of the Taylor family, but his time in Walford is now coming to an end. According to reports from The Sun, BBC bosses have decided to write out his character, bringing Felix’s journey to a close.
A source close to the show revealed, “It’s never an easy decision for the producers when it
comes to writing a character out of the show. Matthew has been fantastic in the role, but the team felt that Felix’s story had naturally run its course.”
A BBC spokeswoman confirmed the news, stating, “We can confirm that Matthew James Morrison will be leaving EastEnders later this year.”
Felix first arrived in Walford in 2019 alongside his father, Avery Baker, and his brother, Finlay. The trio quickly made an impression, but tragedy struck early on when Avery passed away just a few weeks after their introduction. Finlay, too, saw his time cut short, with his exit following just a year later.
Felix made history as EastEnders’ first-ever drag queen character, winning over fans with his vibrant and fearless alter ego, Tara Misu. His debut in 2022 was widely celebrated, with Morrison expressing his excitement at the time: “I am blessed to have the opportunity to step into the heels of the fierce Tara Misu as part of my role on EastEnders. It’s a privilege to represent the community and to showcase the creative art of drag to both viewers at home and the residents of Walford.”
Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding his character, Felix’s presence in the show gradually diminished. After a brief period of engaging storylines, he found himself relegated to working as a barman at The Albert, with few major plots centering around him. Fans quickly took notice of his diminished screen time, voicing frustration over the underutilization of such a groundbreaking character. One of Felix’s most iconic moments came when he, fully dressed as Tara Misu, boldly stood up to Walford’s resident hardman, Phil Mitchell—an interaction that stood out as one of the most memorable moments of his tenure.
The news of Morrison’s departure coincides with significant behind-the-scenes changes at EastEnders. Chris Clenshaw, the show’s executive producer, has stepped down after three years at the helm. Clenshaw played a pivotal role in revitalizing EastEnders, preparing it for its 40th-anniversary celebrations. He will be succeeded by Ben Wadey, a former Channel 4 commissioning executive, who is now tasked with leading the soap into its next era.
Felix’s departure isn’t the only recent shake-up in Walford. Just weeks ago, it was announced that Natalie Cassidy, who has played Sonia Fowler on and off for nearly 32 years, will also be leaving the show for good. Cassidy, 41, confirmed her exit, revealing that after over a decade of solid work on the soap, she has decided to move on to new opportunities.
In a heartfelt statement to The Sun, Cassidy shared her emotions about leaving: “I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited. After another 11 solid years back on EastEnders, I have decided it’s time to move on to pastures new. EastEnders is in my bones, so I will never forget where I started my career, and I will continue to love the show. Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary—it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia—gone but never forgotten.”
Cassidy’s final scenes are expected to be filmed next month, aligning with EastEnders’ anniversary week celebrations. Having first joined the soap as a child in 1993, Cassidy became a household name as Sonia, remaining with the show until 2007. After brief returns in 2010 and 2014, she has been a consistent presence since her latest return in 2022.
Her character’s final storyline has been filled with drama. Currently, Sonia is pregnant with the child of Reiss Colwell, who was recently revealed as a murderer. Unbeknownst to Sonia, Reiss killed his ex-wife, Debbie, and framed Sonia for the crime. In a shocking turn of events, Sonia was found not guilty after Reiss produced a fabricated video of Sonia’s sister, Bianca Butcher, falsely confessing to the killing.
Reports suggest that Cassidy had been considering her departure for some time, having informed EastEnders bosses of her plans last summer. Her exit, along with Morrison’s, signals a significant shift in the soap’s landscape, with fans eagerly anticipating how these departures will be handled on-screen.
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