Another major EastEnders star quits and it’s a huge blow for fans | Soaps

EastEnders has lost yet another star, as a fourth cast member has quit in a shocking move.

Pierre Counihan-Moullier, 26, made his debut as Oscar Branning on Albert Square just one year ago and quickly became popular with viewers.

But now, he’s joining the mass exodus and is due to film his final scenes at the studios in Elstree.

It comes after three other hugely popular actors were confirmed to be leaving: Linda Carter’s Kellie Bright, 50, Ravi Gulati star Aaron Thiara, 33, and Zoe Slater actress Michelle Ryan, 42.

Still, while Zoe, who debuted in 2000, is to be killed off on-screen in the coming weeks in a hugely controversial plot for the BBC soap, the door is reportedly being left open for Pierre.

‘The fans love Pierre, so this is a huge blow to the show,’ said a source, explaining that viewers are ‘still reeling from the news they are losing Kellie and Aaron’, who are ‘incredibly popular staples’.

‘It’s also interesting that signing up Pierre has been one of the better things that Ben Wadey has done,’ the insider added to The Sun.

The actor was cast by executive producer Ben, 32, following his move from Channel 4.

‘So the fact that he’s leaving is not a good look.

‘Everyone’s now hoping that the rest of the cast will sit tight for a while.’

As for when Max Branning’s son will last be seen on-screen, Oscar will remain part of Walford’s drama until at least the start of 2027.

Fans have already seen him featured in January’s flash-forward episode, which ended with Max (Jake Wood) forced to choose between saving Oscar and older sister, Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa), as both his children were held at gunpoint.

Oscar was the first of returning characters to be brought back by producer Ben, who said he would be putting Oscar and the Brannings at ‘the heart of the show’ amid the famous family’s revival.

The character won audiences over with his cheeky, comedic streak and sarcasm, making him a stand-out member of the Branning brood.

He also brought chaos with him from the start, as he explored his damaged relationship with estranged father Max when they reunited.

His biggest storyline was undoubtedly the love triangle involving twins Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan), which was described as ‘one of the hottest love triangles in soap history’.

His ‘natural chemistry’ with Josh actor Joshua has since been widely commended by LGBTQ+ outlets.

Pierre’s portrayal of Oscar then saw him nominated for best soap newcomer at the 2026 TV Choice Awards.

Oscar has been played by several actors since 2007, with Gabriel Miller-Williams first starring as him as a baby for one year.

Twins Neo and Charlee Hall then shared the role intermittently from 2008 to 2015 before Pierre was hired in the recasting and the character ventured into more mature stories.

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