The character will come face-to-face with her enemy Zoe Slater
Kim Medcalf is making her comeback to EastEnders as Sam Mitchell this Christmas. The 51-year-old actress will return to the BBC soap to play Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell’s (Ross Kemp’s) strong-willed and scheming sister for a “short stint”.
She said: “It’s such a joy to be asked to come back to EastEnders, especially as it’s the festive period, and you know there will always be plenty of fireworks. I love the character of Sam, she always causes drama wherever she goes, but she also has that vulnerable side, too, which is great to play. It’s also lovely being back on set with the fantastic cast and to see old friends and new faces.”
Walford has transformed dramatically since spirited Sam departed in 2023 for a new life in Spain – particularly with her rival and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) murder accomplice Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) now residing back on Albert Square.
The killing of the original Queen Victoria pub landlord for the 20th anniversary of EastEnders in February 2005 implicated Sam, Zoe and actual killer Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), who was also Den’s wife.
The women pursued vengeance against Den after he dragged Zoe into a blackmail scheme and tricked Sam into having sex, and they subsequently confronted him in the Queen Victoria pub.
The confrontation descended into a nightmare as Den assaulted Chrissie, and Zoe struck him on the back of the head with a doorstop, causing the businessman to be knocked unconscious. Zoe and Sam made a hasty exit, believing Den to be dead, only for him to regain consciousness and grab Chrissie’s leg – leading her to bludgeon him with a doorstop.
Sam witnessed Chrissie murdering Den, but Chrissie managed to frame Sam – who was falsely accused of his murder before she fled the country on bail.
However, Chrissie’s deception didn’t last long as she was eventually apprehended and confessed to killing Den. She was imprisoned in December 2005, but was released in September 2024 after being granted early parole following a hearing.
As Sam and Zoe encounter each other for the first time in over two decades, viewers will have to wait a few weeks to discover whether they can put their past behind them or if Sam seeks revenge on Zoe.
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, expressed his delight at Kim’s return: “I’m delighted to welcome Kim Medcalf back to EastEnders for a short stint later this year. It’s no secret that wherever Sam Mitchell goes, drama inevitably follows, and with ex-accomplice Zoe Slater back in the Square, only time will tell if there is space for forgiveness between the pair, or whether battle lines will be drawn.”
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