EastEnders star Ellie Dadd appears poised to step away temporarily from her role as Amy Mitchell, as exciting new opportunities outside of Albert Square begin to take shape. The young actress, who joined the long-running BBC soap in 2022 and has since become a familiar face to viewers with her heartfelt and emotionally complex portrayal of Amy, is reportedly set to take on a new challenge — this time on stage. Ellie has been confirmed to star as Belle in an upcoming pantomime production of Beauty and the Beast, a beloved fairy tale that will allow her to showcase her talents in a completely different setting. The stage role, typically part of the festive theatre season, marks an exciting chapter in her career and suggests a brief hiatus from Walford as she explores other creative avenues. While fans may be sad to see her temporarily leave the show, there’s also a strong sense of pride and support for Ellie as she expands her horizons and brings her talent to the world of live theatre.
But what does Ellie’s new role mean for Amy?
Ellie plays Amy Mitchell on EastEnders (Credit: BBC)
Ellie Dadd lines up new panto role away from EastEnders
Announcing Ellie’s performance on Instagram last week, the Croydon Fairfield Halls account wrote: “A seasoned stage performer with West End credits including Matilda the Musical, Ellie is ready to charm Croydon with a performance that promises grace, humour, and warmth ”
The post included an image of Ellie in one of Belle’s signature blue dresses, while another teased the show’s iconic red rose and the Beast’s castle as part of a magazine mock-up titled ‘Once Upon A Times.’
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Ellie will appear as Belle between Friday, December 12 2025, until January 4, 2026. But does this mean that her EastEnders days are behind her?
Ellie first appeared on the soap in 2022 (Credit: BBC)
Is Amy Mitchell leaving EastEnders?
Neither Ellie nor the BBC have announced news of Amy’s departure from the soap. Instead, it is more likely that the actress will take a break from filming while she appears in the show.
Last year, Ellie appeared in a production of Sleeping Beauty, playing the Princess Rose. She remained a part of EastEnders during this time, so will likely do so again for Beauty and the Beast.
This comes soon after the announcement that co-star Steve McFadden – who plays Phil Mitchell – will appear in a production of Aladdin at The Alban Arena. A post by the venue read: The post read: “The Alban Arena and Evolution Productions are thrilled to announce that TV Legend, STEVE MCFADDEN, will star in ALADDIN this pantomime season. He will play the boo-able baddie, in what is set to be our most spectacular pantomime yet!
With lavish sets, hilarious comedy and spellbinding special effects, Aladdin promises to be our most magical pantomime ever! This fun-filled extravaganza is guaranteed to delight the whole family, and tickets will fly, so book now!”
