EastEnders star Max Bowden admits the intense storyline has left him tired and beginning to feel exhausted, and the character Ben may leave earlier than initially planned

Max Bowden shows off surprising talent worlds away from Ben Mitchell

Max left the show earlier this year (Picture: Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)

Former EastEnders star Max Bowden has opened up about his departure from the BBC One soap.

Max left EastEnders earlier this year after Ben Mitchell was sent to a prison in America for fraud. Prior to this, he was involved in a hugely powerful and emotional storyline that saw Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), the mother of Ben’s daughter Lexi (Isabella Brown), die after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

When it comes to Ben Mitchell though, his life has never really been quiet or smooth sailing. For Max, who played Ben from 2019-2024, continuously filming intense storylines became so much for him, he started to experience burnout.

‘The important thing was my time was ready. I was very tired and, like I said, I wasn’t me, I wasn’t’, he responded when asked about whether he was sacked from the show, or chose to walk away.

‘The Max sat in front of you today was kind of a ghost, and they recognised that – I recognised that’.

Ben sits at a table outside the cafe in EastEnders

Max took over the role as Ben in 2019 (Picture: BBC)

Adding to his chat in an episode of The Lewis Nicholls Show, Max said: ‘I did nearly six hundred episodes in five years, which is a hell of a lot, and it was time for a rest. The character was tired, I was tired, they [the producers] were probably tired of me being tired.

‘From an honest perspective, I think yeah, a lot of it was that I needed to go for a bit. I needed to go work on me, get myself back to a place of really good mental health, focus on healing and also be a dad.’

Reflecting on Ben’s involvement in Lola’s final storyline in the soap, Max explained filming this was like ‘life imitating art to an extent’, after he lost his best friend to a brain tumour as well.

‘It laid a lot out on the table, and it exposed me to a lot of vulnerability which probably at the time I didn’t navigate well. It was a tough old time, but you know what, I’m a hell of a lot stronger for it.’

‘That was definitely the hardest period of my professional life.’

Back in May, Max opened up about the death of friend Maxwell during an interview on BBC One’s Morning Live.

‘I felt like it wasn’t well registered or understood as losing a family member or next of kin,’ he began.

‘Of course because I spent so much time with him, I really noticed his absence when he was gone. That overwhelming sentiment of loneliness was so apparent.’

Max Bowden, the former EastEnders star, recently shared the reasons behind his departure from the long-running BBC soap opera. Max left the show earlier this year after his character, Ben Mitchell, was sent to prison in America for fraud. This exit came after Ben was involved in a heart-wrenching storyline that culminated in the death of Lola Pearce, the mother of his daughter Lexi. Reflecting on his time on the show, Max revealed that the intense and emotionally demanding nature of the storylines took a toll on him, leading to burnout.During an episode of The Lewis Nicholls Show, Max disclosed that the decision to leave was necessary for his well-being. He cited the grueling schedule of filming nearly six hundred episodes in just five years as a major factor in his fatigue. The actor expressed that both he and the character of Ben needed a break, noting that the producers recognized the need for a hiatus. Max emphasized the importance of taking time off to focus on his mental health, personal growth, and parenting responsibilities.Discussing Ben’s involvement in Lola’s tragic storyline, Max shared that the experience mirrored his real-life struggles and vulnerabilities. The loss of his best friend to a brain tumor added to the emotional depth of filming, making it a challenging period in his professional life. Despite the difficulties, Max acknowledged that overcoming these obstacles made him stronger and more resilient.In a separate interview on BBC One’s Morning Live, Max opened up about the profound impact of his friend Maxwell’s death. He expressed the overwhelming sense of loneliness and loss he felt, emphasizing the deep bond they shared. Max’s candor about his personal struggles and experiences serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental health and self-care in the face of adversity.Stay tuned for more updates and insightful information as we continue to bring you valuable content to inform and inspire. Thank you for your support and encouragement as we strive to deliver meaningful content for our audience.

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Source: The Wall Street Journal

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EastEnders star Max Bowden admits the intense storyline has left him tired and beginning to feel exhausted, and the character Ben may leave earlier than initially planned

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