Former EastEnders star Ben Hardy reveals real reason he quit the soap

Ben Hardy has gone into detail about why he left EastEnders.

 

The actor played Peter Beale on the BBC One and iPlayer soap between 2013 and 2015, before making his departure.

 

Since then, he managed to find big-screen success, landing roles in X-Men: Apocalypse, Bohemian Rhapsody, and in the streaming service films The Voyeurs and 6 Underground.

 

 

In an interview with The Independent to promote his new film Unicorns, Hardy explained that he felt he was becoming “lazy” working on just one project.

Related: EastEnders gift guide – all the best books and merchandise for fans of the soap

“I had been battling it for a year, how to make things work. I have so much respect for everyone who works on that show [but] I felt myself getting lazy as an actor,” he said.

“I felt myself constantly going, ‘This scene doesn’t work,’ like I was trying to make a diamond out of something that can’t be a diamond. That laziness scared me. I [said], ‘I have to get out of here.'”

Despite successfully pursuing a career in which he does lots of different projects, Hardy did admit to longing for the familiar – and familial – experience of soap life.

Related: EastEnders boss reveals first hints at Christmas storylines

“I’m envious of people who have a work family,” he explained. “There are times I’m frustrated or not getting a job I want, and I’m like, ‘Man, if I was just in EastEnders…'”

With Hardy away in Hollywood, the role of Peter Beale has been recast twice since his departure.

Dayle Hudson portrayed the character between 2020 and 2022 before Thomas Law, who had played the character before Hardy, came back last year to play Peter once again – and is still playing him to this day.

Related articles

SHOCKING NEWS!! EastEnders announces Ruby Allen return as Louisa Lytton reprises role

Ruby was perhaps best known for her friendship with Stacey Fowler, but this relationship broke down when she got involved with Stacey’s ex-husband Martin. A fierce rivalry…

SHOCKING NEWS!! EastEnders: Chrissie Watts return triggers fans with its ‘multiple flaws’

EastEnders has aired Chrissie Watts’ shock return – however, fans have spotted several ‘flaws.’ The legendary character hasn’t been seen on the soap since 2005 – when…

SHOCKING NEWS!! EastEnders’ Diane Parish pays sweet tribute to long-time co-star

EastEnders icon Diane Parish has paid a lovely tribute to her co-star and on-screen husband Scott Maslen, and shared a photo of them recreating a pose they…

SHOCKING NEWS!!! EastEnders confirms Ayesha’s identity as Eve proposes to Suki

EastEnders has confirmed the identity of new character Ayesha, as she makes her first appearance in Albert Square next week. Last week it was announced that Laila…

SHOCKING NEWS!!! EastEnders: Jay pays heartbreaking tribute to Lola and fans are in tears

Fans of EastEnders were left misty-eyed last night, as Jay and the residents of Walford held a fundraiser for the late Lola Brown. In an evening of…

SHOCKING NEWS!! SHOCK BABY EastEnders fans predict shock pregnancy twist for one of Walford’s most popular residents after ‘abysmal’ affair plot

EASTENDERS fans have predicted a potential pregnancy shock for one of Walford’s most iconic residents. Speculation has been mounting among fans that Cindy Beale could find herself…