Yep, it’s happening. Sam Mitchell is back in EastEnders, ready to cause a stir in Walford once more.
She’s set for an explosive comeback – riling up Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Sharon (Letitia Dean) straight away – but refusing to reveal the reason she’s returned to Albert Square.
But actor Kim Medcalf, who plays Sam, told Metro.co.uk that Sam is ‘back for a reason’, adding: ‘Let’s just say she’s got work to do. Being Sam Mitchell there’s obviously going to be a lot of trouble.’
It’s all very exciting – but if you’re not familiar with the character’s history, here’s what you need to know.
Who is Sam Mitchell on EastEnders?
Sam Mitchell was one of the earliest members of the legendary Mitchell family to be introduced to EastEnders.
She’s the daughter of Peggy (Dame Barbara Windsor) and Eric Mitchell, and the younger sister of Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant (Ross Kemp).
The character has also been twice-married, to Andy Hunter (Michael Higgs) and Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) – the latter of which she eloped to Gretna Green in one of her early dramatic storylines.
She also gave birth to a son, Richard, who she later gives up for adoption.
And who can forget her ill-advised arson, or when she was one of the suspects in the Archie Mitchell whodunnit?
Who plays Sam Mitchell? Has the actress changed?
Sam Mitchell has been played by two actors: Danniella Westbrook and Kim Medcalf.
Sam was first introduced as a 15-year-old – first played by Danniella Westbrook, then 17, who first appeared in the soap from 1990 and 1993.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hZJencHKcQk
She popped up again from 1995 to 1996, but sadly, these stints were gripped by Danniella’s well-documented cocaine addiction – which often led her to be late to set.
She reappeared as Sam in 2000, with soap bosses filming her from specific angles in order to keep her eroded nasal septum out of the camera’s view. Danniella attended rehab that same year.
By time 2002 rolled around, Sam Mitchell was set to make a return to Albert Square – but it was decided that a new actor would step into the role. Enter Kim Medcalf.
Kim enjoyed a three-year stint playing Sam, which lasted until 2005, at which point she moved on to other projects, including a number of roles away from TV in theatre.
Sam returned for brief appearances in 2009 and 2016, both played by Danniella, but Kim is back for the 2022 story arc.
When was Sam Mitchell last seen in EastEnders?
We last saw Sam Mitchell back on the show for mum Peggy’s funeral – and the days surrounding it.
Danniella played Sam for these scenes, which aired from June 30, 2016 to July 4, 2016, and also featured the return of Sam’s brother Grant.
Kim’s second turn at Sam will be broadcast from April 18, 2022, with the actor saying of the exciting reprisal to Metro.co.uk: ‘I had a call from EastEnders late last year asking me if I would be interested in coming back…
‘I was so thrilled and it didn’t take me long to say yes. I was at my home when I got the call and it really was a really lovely surprise.
‘I’ve been watching the show on and off when I can, so I was really genuinely thrilled to be asked back.’
Things are certainly different for Kim this time around, though, as Queen Vic legend Barbara sadly died in 2020 – meaning Sam is without her iconic on-screen mum Peggy.
Kim noted: ‘It feels very different but also very similar. It’s so wonderful to still have some of my on-screen family including Steve and Perry.
‘I have to say though it’s very sad not to have the incredible Dame Barbara Windsor who played my on-screen mum. There is a big hole in the Mitchell family where Peggy should be and we all miss her very much, she was an icon in front of and behind the camera.’
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