EastEnders cast shock as FOUR stars return for harrowing storyline
A HARROWING storyline will soon play out in EastEnders, which comes as FOUR stars make a comeback to the BBC soap opera.
Four EastEnders stars will be making a comeback and reprising their roles in the hit soap for the show’s 40th anniversary.
Jaime Winstone is set to reprise the role of Peggy Mitchell as she returns to EastEnders, along with three other actors.
The cast comebacks are for an upcoming episode as part of Phil Mitchell’s ongoing mental health storyline.
Phil’s depression will worsen over the coming weeks, with him set to experience symptoms of psychosis in the form of hallucinations.
When Phil has these hallucinations, he will see scenes from the Mitchell family home in 1985.
In the hallucinations, Jamie Winstone will reprise her role of a young Peggy Mitchell.
Jamie first starred in the soap as a young Peggy in 2022 when the soap aired a special Mitchell flashback episode.
Jamie playing the role of Peggy Mitchell again also comes after she played the role of Barbara Windsor in the hit 2017 movie about the actress.
Joining Jamie making a comeback to the soap is George Russo as Eric Mitchell, Daniel Delaney as a young Phil Mitchell, and Teddy Jay as a young Grant Mitchell.
They will all be returning to reprise their roles after the aforementioned episode which aired in 2022.
As well as the four returning characters and actors, Sam Miles will also be joining the cast to take on the role of a young Nigel Bates.
PHIL’S PIVOTAL MOMENT
During his hallucinations, Phil will act as a bystander to a pivotal moment from his adolescence.
On her return to the soap as Peggy, Jamie Winstone said: “It was such an honour to be welcomed back to play Peggy Mitchell, she is a dream role for me.
“So to be able to contribute to this iconic family on this major storyline has been such a joyous and emotional journey and I truly hope I have done her justice.”
Chris Clenshaw, the executive producer of EastEnders added: “We are thrilled to welcome back the young Mitchells for these special scenes as we lead up to our 40th anniversary week.
EastEnders' 40th anniversary cameos so far
With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders coming up, fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford's past. But who have we had so far?
Tracy-Ann Oberman – Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago.
Paul Bradley – Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago.
Micheal French – French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago.
Patsy Palmer – Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019.
Coming up this year…
Ross Kemp – Kemp will reprise his role as Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp’s storyline as “explosive”. Kemp said it was an “absolute honour” to return to the show.
Other aspects of the 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.
“In 2022 fans and critics alike celebrated Jaime’s portrayal of Peggy, and with Phil’s story, this feels like the perfect time for her to reprise the iconic role – joined once again by George, Daniel, Teddy and now Sam as a young Nigel.
“Flashbacks like these give the audience a unique opportunity to better understand Phil’s mindset and the traumatic events that have led him to his mental health crisis.”
MENTAL HEALTH LINK
EastEnders is working closely with various mental health charities to portray Phil’s depression storyline as accurately as possible.
The soap is working with The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind.