Jaime Winstone is set to reprise the role of a young Peggy Mitchell as she returns to EastEnders as part of a mental health storyline with Phil Mitchell.
Winstone, who portrayed Dame Barbara Windsor in biopic Babs and took on the actress’ role of formidable pub landlord Peggy in a 1979-based flashback episode, is going to appear in new scenes, set in 1985.
In recent months, Phil, played by Steve McFadden, has been struggling with loneliness following his former partner Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) starting a relationship with his long-lost cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), and the end of his marriage to Kathleen “Kat” Slater (Jessie Wallace).
EastEnders will show how the character’s depression and symptoms of psychosis intensify, with him experiencing hallucinations, including a young Peggy.
The upcoming episode will show Phil as a bystander to a pivotal moment from when he was a teenager, as he also talks to his former younger self (Daniel Delaney) back in Walford’s The Square and at No 55.
George Russo, who played Eric Mitchell, and Teddy Jay (Grant Mitchell) also return to reprise their roles of the younger Mitchell clan from the flashback episode, which aired in September 2022.
Sam Miles will also be joining the cast to take on the role of a young Nigel Bates, following Paul Bradley returning to play Phil’s friend last year.
Winstone 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 is working closely with The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure Phil’s depression story is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible.
This year will also be the 40th anniversary of the soap and see the return of Phil’s brother Grant (Ross Kemp) after a near 10-year absence.
The reason he has returned is being kept a secret, but is teased as being “explosive”.
Chris Clenshaw, EastEnders’ executive producer, said: “We are thrilled to welcome back the young Mitchells for these special scenes as we lead up to our 40th anniversary week.
“In 2022, fans and critics alike celebrated Jaime’s portrayal of Peggy, and with Phil’s story, this feels like the perfect time for her to reprise the iconic role – joined once again by George, Daniel, Teddy and now Sam as a young Nigel.
“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.”
