EASTENDERS actor James Bye is joining forces with Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy for a new theatre acting job in the West End.
The soap stars, who were both killed off in their TV roles, will play Sam and Ben 2:22 A Ghost Story in next year’s shows.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the popular play’s account shared, “Introducing our 2026 Sam and Ben.
“James Bye and Gary Lucy will be taking #222AGhostStory across the UK through 2026.”
Fans couldn’t get enough of the news, but also couldn’t help but notice what the two actors had in common.
One pointed out, “Quite cute and ironic that they both worked alongside Gillian (Kathy Beale) lol.
“One as her son in footballers wives and the other as her nephew in EE! Great guys.”
While a second stated, “Wow! Two legends who were killed off in their respective soaps in a play together.”
A third wrote, “This is a great duo! I’m gona come watch.”
“Ooooooooo brilliant, great casting,” a fourth penned.
Racing to the comments, a fifth said, “Take my money. Take my money I am there.”
2:22 A Ghost Story is a hugely popular thriller play by Danny Robins.
It first premiered in the West End in 2021, starring Lily Allen, and received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play the following year.
James played beloved Martin Fowler in EastEnders from 2014 until he was killed off in the BBC soap’s live 40th anniversary episode this year.
He landed a new job straightaway as the iconic Jane Austen hero Mr Darcy in the theatrical world premiere of Death Comes To Pemberley.
Gary played Luke Morgan in Hollyoaks, with his character killed off in July 2022 after suffering a fatal fall in Mallorca.
However, the actor made a temporary return in 2023 as a hallucination of Luke in the mind of Cindy Cunningham.
He also played Will Fletcher in the ITV police drama The Bill, Kyle Pascoe in Footballers’ Wives and Danny Pennant in EastEnders.
