Ex-EastEnders star Charlie Jones unrecognisable from his Ben Mitchell days
Charlie Jones played Ben Mitchell in EastEnders between 2006 and 2010, but more than a decade on, the actor looks very different from the specs-wearing schoolboy role that made him famous
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EastEnders: Charlie Jones stars as Ben Mitchell in 2009
A total of six actors have now played EastEnders character Ben Mitchell, but one of the most memorable is certainly Charlie Jones.
Charlie, now 25, played Ben, the son of hard-man Phil Mitchell and grandson of pub landlady Peggy Mitchell, between 2006 and 2010, but the performer now looks completely different from his specs-wearing character, more than a decade on.
Out of all the actors, he played Ben for the longest time, and was introduced after the ‘death’ of mum Kathy Beale, who later turned out to be alive.
He was mentally and physically abused by Phil’s girlfriend Stella Crawford, who threw herself off a roof on her wedding day, when Ben revealed the truth, in one of his most harrowing storylines.
Charlie Jones played schoolboy Ben Mitchell for four years
Image:
( BBC)
The troubled teen spiralled after that, burning his sister’s arm and attacking bully Jordan, which saw him put behind bars for eight months.
The role was recast when Ben returned, with Joshua Pasco taking on the part, followed by Harry Reid and Max Bowden, who has played Ben since 2019.
Despite being recast, Charlie, who was 13 when he left the soap, has continued with acting and studied at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts.
He returned to our screens in TV series Noughts + Crosses, playing Danny in the 2020 show, appearing in two episodes.
Charlie Jones in recent show Noughts + Crosses
Image:
( BBC)
Fans were left in disbelief when they recognised Charlie, who looked wildly different from his EastEnders days, ditching the glasses and sporting a more chiselled jawline.
Charlie also appeared in 2020 Netflix movie Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story, which had a starry cast, including Hugh Bonneville and Forest Whitaker.
His most well known character Ben is currently going through traumatic time after he was raped by newcomer Lewis in a horrific storyline.
Ben has been desperately struggling to cope, too worried about how it would look to others if he admitted to it.
Charlie looks very different from his days as Ben Mitchell in EastEnders
Image:
( Instagram)
As a result of his secrets, Ben has been spiralling out of control, with everyone getting increasingly concerned for his welfare.
Meanwhile, Lewis has been swanning around the Square, refusing to own up for what he did to Ben that night.
Last night fans were left heartbroken as he confided in his mum Kathy about the ordeal and vowed he would tell the police about what happened too.
He has been scared to speak about it publicly – or report it to the police – as he doesn’t want his husband Callum to know what had happened.
Ben Mitchell is now played by Max Bowden
Image:
( BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “These scenes between Kathy and Ben are outstanding showing so much vulnerability. I’m crying.”
“Ben you’re not a victim, you’re a survivor #eastenders,” a second added, as a third shared: “I hope ben listens to kathy. As she’s been a victim rape and she came out stronger. Hopefully her words can help ben . Never have I wanted to hug a character more.”
A fourth wrote: “It’s not your fault Ben NO means NO you’ve done the right thing by speaking out.”
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