January 10th 2025.
Last year, Max Bowden said goodbye to his time on EastEnders. Reflecting on his experience, he shared that it may have been one of the most challenging acting jobs he has ever had. Taking over the role of Ben Mitchell in 2019, Max stepped in to play the sixth version of the character, following in the footsteps of previous star Harry Reid.
However, last year saw Ben's exit from the show, with Max later revealing that both he and the character were feeling burnt out. In an interview with A Youngish Perspective, Max opened up about how his life has changed since leaving the demanding schedule of the soap behind.
He explained, "My life has changed a lot recently. I don't party anymore. I'm more focused on being a better father and overall person." It's clear that his time on EastEnders has had a profound impact on him.
Max went on to say, "EastEnders is not an easy gig. In fact, I would say it is one of the hardest acting jobs out there. Most of the time, you have to strip away your technique and rely on your instincts." As someone who approaches acting with the "method" approach, Max found it challenging to let go and fully immerse himself in the work.
But he also acknowledged the positive impact the show had on him, saying, "It has shaped me in a way that I no longer approach anything with fear. It's a fantastic place to develop your skills, and I will always be grateful for the time I spent there." From his days on Waterloo Road to his time on EastEnders, Max has grown both personally and professionally.
Currently, Ben is off-screen, serving time in a US prison. Meanwhile, Max is now starring in a touring production of Sebastian Faulks' 1993 novel Birdsong. In a previous interview on The Lewis Nicholls Show, Max spoke about experiencing burnout towards the end of his time on EastEnders.
He admitted, "I was tired, and I wasn't myself anymore." When asked if he was fired from the show or chose to leave, Max replied, "It was my time to go. I needed a break to focus on my mental health, heal, and be a better father."
In his final storyline on the show, Ben was sent to a prison in America for fraud. This came after a powerful and emotional plot that saw the death of Lola Pearce, the mother of Ben's daughter Lexi, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
EastEnders continues to air Monday to Thursday on BBC One, with episodes available to stream on iPlayer from 6am. If you have any soap or TV stories, videos, or pictures, feel free to reach out and share them with us. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
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