Pivotal moment from Phil’s past revealed in emotion packed EastEnders flashbacks
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is reunited with mum Peggy (Jaime Winstone) in EastEnders next week, when he begins to suffer troubling hallucinations.
Viewers will be transported back four decades to 1985, when a pivotal moment from Phil’s life will be played out as his depression deepens.
The last time we met the younger Mitchells was in a special flashback episode, which aired to acclaim in 2022.
A number of the cast will reprise their roles for the upcoming scenes, with Jaime Winstone returning as matriarch Peggy, while Teddy Jay will return as Grant, George Russo as Eric and Daniel Delaney as Phil.
An adolescent version of Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who recently returned to the Square after a three decade absence, will also appear, with Sam Miles taking on the part.
Speaking of taking on the role from the iconic Barbara Windsor once again, Jaime 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.
‘Thank you to all the EastEnders family, this has been such a wonderful experience.’
EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw added: ‘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.’
The scenes come following an attempt to take his own life.
His wider family gather together to think of the best way to support him in the wake of the incident, and another discovery soon leads them down a worrying path.
At Billy (Perry Fenwick) and Honey Mitchell’s (Emma Barton) joint hen and stag do celebrations, Phil’s ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) struggles to enjoy herself after realising his inner turmoil.
Mo Harris (Laila Morse) then informs her that he’s paid for the event out of his own pocket, and Sharon deploys everyone to search for him.
Unfortunately, Phil can’t be found and his psychosis is worsening. He begins to imagine himself as a bystander in his former family home.
The visions start to become more real, and he finds himself conversing with his relatives.
When Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) tracks him down to his house, he and Sharon attempt to stage an intervention but Phil is adamant that there is nothing wrong.
Nigel then arrives with a final lifeline – his brother Grant (Ross Kemp), who is returning to The Square after nine years away.
Will Grant be able to save Phil?
