In a shocking turn of events on EastEnders, the wayward Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) has sunk to a new low, targeting one of Walford's most vulnerable residents in a desperate scheme for cash. Her return, which aired on December 2, 2025, sees her manipulate the kindly Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) to get her hands on her brother Phil's money.
A Desperate Return and a Devious Plan
Sam Mitchell arrived back in Albert Square on incredibly bad terms with her brother, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). Despite her nerves about their last confrontation, Sam's desperate financial situation forces her to act. As actress Kim Medcalf explained, Sam lives in the moment and headed straight for Phil's house at Number 55, with her eyes firmly on his safe.
The only person standing in her way was the gentle Nigel Bates. In a cruel twist, Nigel, mistaking Sam for his adoptive daughter Clare, unwittingly allows her to take the money. This calculated manipulation marks a new depth for Sam, whose moral compass has always been questionable but never this coldly exploitative.
Confrontations and Unwanted Memories
Sam's speedy getaway was quickly scuppered by a face from her traumatic past: Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). Zoe, who is being stalked, immediately accuses Sam of being behind her ordeal. Kim Medcalf noted that Zoe was one of the last people Sam wanted to see, as their encounter triggers a flood of painful memories.
While Sam adamantly denies Zoe's accusations, insisting she is only in Walford to sort out her own life, the tension between them is palpable. Off-screen, however, Medcalf expressed delight at reuniting with actress Michelle Ryan, calling the experience "absolutely fantastic" and a lovely chance to reminisce.
A Heartbreaking Secret and Future Carnage
After evading a furious Phil, who initially blamed Nicola Mitchell for the theft, Sam's attempts to lay low fail when Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) spots her. Cornered, she is forced to reveal a devastating personal secret: she has found a lump in her breast and is terrified it is cancer.
Medcalf revealed that this discovery terrifies Sam, especially given her mother Peggy's history with the disease. Instead of facing it, Sam is burying her head in the sand, focusing only on her son, Ricky Branning (Frankie Day). After begging Phil for a place to stay, she immediately begins formulating another, reportedly "evil," plan to bolster her finances.
While it is known that Sam's storyline will ultimately lead to a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the big question remains: how much damage will the desperate Mitchell sister cause in Walford before she faces her health crisis?
