EastEnders’ Max Bowden takes swipe at soap after shock axe and says he’s a ‘better person’ since leaving
MAX Bowden took a huge swipe at EastEnders after his shock axe from the soap.
The actor is the sixth star to play the role of Ben Mitchell on the long-running BBC serial drama.
Max, 30, originally starred in EastEnders from 2019 until 2024 following a showdown with producers.
Bosses told the star that they were not renewing his contract as his party lifestyle and chequered love life whipped fans into a frenzy.
Now, the actor has made a huge dig at the soap as he opens up on the huge changes in his life.
The actor is promoting his forthcoming show, Birdsong, which is based on the 1993 novel by Sebastian Faulks.
He opened up on the changes in his life as he admitted that he is ‘a better dad’ now that he’s left the soap.
Speaking with A Youngish Perspective, he admitted: “My life has changed a lot recently, I don’t party anymore, I’m just interested in being a better dad, and a better person overall.
“EastEnders is one of the hardest gigs, if not the hardest gig, in acting, because a lot of the time you have to strip away your technique and rely on impulse.”
The star admitted that his acting approach has changed since he left the long-running BBC One serial drama.
He added: “I carry quite a lot of ‘the method’ in my approach to my acting.
“It’s easy to get a bit lost in the work as a result. It’s shaped me in that I no longer approach anything with fear.”
“It’s a brilliant place to hone your skills, so I’m very grateful for my time there.”
Max also opened up on his new project as he couldn’t help but gush over the creative aspects of the role.
He explained: “Thematically, it’s as pertinent as it has ever been. Sadly, we are living in a more divided society, in a world in conflict.
“The story contains all of the beauty and the cruelty of mankind. It cleverly emulates the way that war is so harsh on the senses.
“The creative and technical team have created a brilliant design and soundscape that really takes you into the Western Front, while also juxtaposing it with the softness and beauty of what came before.”
EastEnders stars who QUIT
MICHELLE Collins has seen her second EastEnders stint boost her bank balance. Yet what stars have quit this year?
The Sun exclusively reported how Michelle, 62, was down to £20,000 in her company accounts when she agreed to a shock back-from-the-dead return to Albert Square last year.
Her character, Cindy Beale, was presumed dead off-camera in 1998.
Yet what about the 2024 exits?
Earlier this summer, loyal soap fans appeared to note how Stevie Mitchell had “quit” the long-running series.
It came after Alan Ford enjoyed just six-months on-screen.
Bobby Beale actor Clay Milner Russell also left this year after five years in Walford.
Fans also feared Martin Fowler actor James Bye would “quit out of boredom” over recent storylines.
Additionally, a host of stars have quit the BBC soap for Hollywood fame.
One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.
He played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.
Ben Hardy, who quit EastEnders as Bobby Beale almost a decade ago, went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay’s Netflix movie 6 Underground.
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater until 2005.
She starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.
EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.