EastEnders star Kim Medcalf has opened up about the dramatic transformation of her character Sam Mitchell, revealing that the cancer diagnosis served as a turning point. 'The old chaotic, manipulative Sam is still very much there, just evolved,' Medcalf explained. 'When Sam first came back, she had her head in the sand, wanting to do right by Ricky, but avoiding the reality of what might be wrong with her. It's only through the support of those around her that she finds the strength to face it, which grounds her.'
A More Nuanced Sam Mitchell
Medcalf expressed her enjoyment in portraying this deeper side of Sam. 'I've loved playing this more nuanced side of Sam. It feels authentic for a woman her age who's been through so much and has finally realised what means the most to her.'
Reuniting the Mitchell Siblings
The actress also discussed the reunion of the Mitchell siblings—Sam, Grant (Ross Kemp), and Phil (Steve McFadden). 'It's been incredibly special and very nostalgic, especially because the three Mitchell siblings are so rarely together,' she said. 'There is a real familiarity and natural chemistry between us, which we've all felt while filming. The writers have given us some lovely domestic moments, and I've really enjoyed those because they show the true fabric of the Mitchells beyond the usual chaos.'
Drawing parallels to her own life, Medcalf added, 'For me personally, it felt very comfortable. I have two older brothers in real life, and while they're nothing like Phil and Grant, that sibling dynamic comes very naturally. Sam genuinely loves having them together too, and it really feeds into where she's at in her life right now. You see the bickering that comes with a shared history, but underneath it all there's unconditional love and loyalty.'
Filling Peggy's Shoes
Since the passing of Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor), the family has lacked a matriarchal figure. 'They lost their common link when Peggy died,' Medcalf admitted. 'Grant was in Portugal, Sam in Spain, Phil in Walford—they all drifted into their own worlds, which can happen in real families after you lose a parent. Sadly, it's taken Nigel's dementia and his passing to reunite them, something Nigel would have absolutely loved.'
Sam steps up to fill that void. 'This week, Sam is urged to take a leaf out of Peggy's book, and that really lands with her. She becomes the glue, rallying them together when they could easily have been pulled apart by their own grief.'
Sam and Billy's Bond
Medcalf also highlighted Sam's relationship with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick). 'I also really love Sam's relationship with Billy. They've often bonded over being the underdogs, and back in 2004, when Peggy and Phil weren't in Walford, they were a real team, he was pretty much all she had. He's very much part of that family unit.'
