Kim Medcalf returning to EastEnders
In December, Kim Medcalf is returning to EastEnders to play Sam Mitchell.
Kim Medcalf is returning to EastEnders as Sam Mitchell this Christmas.
The 51-year-old actress will be back in the BBC soap to portray Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell's (Ross Kemp's) headstrong and manipulative 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 changed immensely since feisty Sam left in 2023 for a life in Spain - even more so with her enemy and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) murder accomplice Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) now back living on Albert Square.
The killing of the original Queen Victoria pub landlord for the 20th anniversary of EastEnders in February 2005 involved Sam, Zoe and real murderer Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), who was also Den's wife.
The women sought revenge on Den after he got Zoe into a blackmail plot and conned Sam into having sex, and they later confronted him in the Queen Victoria pub.
The confrontation turned into a horror show as Den attacked Chrissie, and Zoe whacked him on the back of the head with a doorstop, causing the businessman to be knocked unconscious.
Zoe and Sam fled the scene after thinking Den had died, but he then regained consciousness and grabbed Chrissie's leg - resulting in her bludgeoning him with a doorstop.
Sam saw Chrissie kill Den, but Chrissie went on to frame Sam - who was wrongly charged with his murder before she left the country on bail.
However, Chrissie's lie did not last long as she was eventually caught and admitted to killing Den.
She was jailed in December 2005, but freed in September 2024 after being granted early release following a parole hearing.
As Sam and Zoe come face-to-face for the first time in over 20 years, viewers have a few weeks to wait before they find out if the pair put the past aside or if Sam wants to get revenge on Zoe.
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, said of 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."
