Sam Mitchell

EastEnders’ Sam Mitchell actress Kim Medcalf has discussed her return to the BBC soap, involving a worrying new health storyline and a long-awaited reunion with Zoe Slater

It’s been almost two years since Sam Mitchell last graced our screens, fleeing EastEnders after severing ties with brother Phil and the Mitchell clan. But Sam may need her family now more than ever, when she returns to Albert Square as part of an important and emotional new storyline.

Sam faces a breast cancer scare after she discovers a lump. It’s her late mother Peggy Mitchell’s own battle with the disease, and her death in 2016, that leaves Sam convinced it’s serious.

Actress Kim Medcalf shared: “This is the second time Sam has found a lump in her breast and 20 years ago, she felt very lucky that it wasn’t anything serious. This time Sam assumes it’s going to be a different outcome because of Peggy’s history. Sam feels like the same thing is going to happen to her and so she’s putting her head in the sand.”

Hiding her turmoil from her loved ones and refusing to be checked by a doctor, Sam instead begs her brother Phil for money. Viewers will recall that the pair aren’t currently on good terms, given last year her dramatic exit saw her expose his affair with Emma Harding to the entire Square.

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“She’s nervous, especially how things were left with Phil!” Kim revealed. “But then again, Sam’s not the kind of person who spends a lot of time thinking about the past, she lives in the moment.”

Kim teased that Nigel Bates, who revealed his devastating dementia diagnosis earlier this year, soon gets caught up in Sam’s scheming too. As Sam attempts to steal money from Phil’s safe, Nigel lets her, after sadly mistaking her for his daughter Clare.

Of course scheming Sam avoids correcting him, but it’s not long before her brother realises the truth. Sam will attempt to flee once more with the cash, before confiding in former flame Jack Branning, son Ricky’s dad, about her health secret.

Kim hopes this will lead to Sam seeking help, as she shares the importance of getting checked early. “We all need to encourage each other to regularly check our breasts because if you can catch breast cancer early enough, it can make a big difference to the prognosis and treatment,” Kim said. “To be given a storyline where I can play a small part in raising awareness is a real privilege. As a woman in my 50s, it’s something me and my friends talk about because we all know people affected by breast cancer and it feels very relevant and important.”

Of course Sam’s long-awaited return to the soap will also see an exciting reunion fans have been desperate for, between herself and Zoe Slater. The last time they were onscreen together back in 2005, the pair, joined by Chrissie Watts, were involved in the brutal murder of Dirty Den, who was buried under the floor of The Queen Vic.

Sam was sent to prison over the death, while the pair believed Zoe killed Den during their violent showdown. She was soon released though when Chrissie’s guilt was unearthed, while Zoe fled Albert Square until her own comeback earlier this year.

It’s safe to say Sam isn’t thrilled by the reunion, and it will open up some old wounds for both characters that they would rather remain closed. Kim explained: “Coming face-to-face with Zoe is triggering for Sam and brings up a whole series of memories that she’d much rather forget.”

It leads to Zoe wondering if Sam is behind her ongoing stalker ordeal, and a showdown ensues. “You can’t blame Zoe for suspecting Sam, they’ve got history!” admitted Kim. “They both shared this terrible experience that traumatised them in their own different ways.”

Kim confirms though that her character has nothing to do with Zoe’s torment. “Sam is adamant that she’s got her mind on other, far more important things. I think Zoe is convinced by Sam’s protests, but Kat isn’t quite so sure about her.”

Kim has loved the chance to work with Michelle Ryan, who plays Zoe, again two decades on from their iconic plot. “It has had us taking a trip down memory lane to remember where our characters were when we were last in the show, and what was going on in our lives in Walford,” Kim shared. “Having this chance to reminisce together has been lovely.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

EastEnders character Sam Mitchell will face a battle with breast cancer in an upcoming storyline as the Walford icon makes a comeback to the BBC soap after two years away

EastEnders character Sam Mitchell will face a battle with breast cancer in an upcoming storyline. The Walford resident, who has been played by Kim Medcalf on and off since 2002, will return to the BBC soap this December, having discovered a lump in her breast.

When Sam first arrives back in Albert Square, it is clear that she wants to keep her worrying discovery private, but at the behest of Jack, Denise and finally Phil, she eventually makes the trip to the doctors, where she receives the devastating diagnosis, with the saving grace being that it has been caught early.

The whole storyline will follow Sam, who was initially played by Danniella Westbrook during her initial stint on the London-based serial, as she goes through treatment, and the programme has been working with Breast Cancer Now in order to make sure the whole plot will be portrayed in a manner that is “accurate and sensitive”.

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Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer said: “It was imperative that we worked with Breast Cancer Now to ensure that Sam’s important breast cancer storyline was portrayed sensitively and accurately. Sam is initially hesitant to seek medical advice after she finds a lump in her breast but with the support of family and friends, Sam gets help quickly, and because her cancer is caught early, she’s able to successfully remove her breast lump via a lumpectomy in the New Year.”

Bosses of the charity are also pleased to have the soap on board, and have praised EastEnders for their attempt to deliver a “vital health message” to the nation via the storyline.

Sally Kum, associate director of nursing and health information at Breast Cancer Now added: Sam’s experience will resonate with thousands of EastEnders viewers. We’ve drawn on our insights and extensive expertise supporting people affected by breast cancer to help guide this storyline and ensure it’s portrayed authentically.

“We know that the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment and, ultimately, of lives being saved. As such, EastEnders is delivering a vital health message by raising awareness of the importance of breast checking, knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and getting any new or unusual breast changes checked by a GP.”

Sam left for Spain in 2023, just months after her long-awaited return to the show, and news of her cancer storyline comes just weeks after the official EastEnders Instagram page shared a huge statement announcing that Sam will be back for a ‘short stint’ and shared a first look picture of the soap star.

The statement read: “First-look pictures of Sam Mitchell, who heads back to Walford this Christmas as Kim Medcalf reprises her much-loved role in December for a short stint.

Whilst Sam has only been away from Albert Square for almost two years, Walford has changed immensely since she left, most notably with enemy and ex-murder accomplice Zoe Slater now residing there.”

Jogging fans’ memory on her story, they added: “Zoe and Sam have not seen each other for over 20 years, and whilst there is no doubt that Zoe has had difficult times, she never took any lawful responsibility for her role in Den Watts’ murder which Sam initially took the blame for.

“As the enemies come face-to-face for the first time, only time will tell if the pair are willing to put their troubles from the past aside, or if Sam has an ulterior motive for revenge…

“If her past behaviour is anything to go by, Sam will not receive a warm welcome from her family upon her return, but with a troubling situation causing concern for the estranged Mitchell sister, it soon becomes apparent that Sam needs her family now more than ever…”

Kim Medcalf said it was a ‘joy’ to be asked to return and that she ‘loves’ the character Sam. 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.”

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .