Fans of EastEnders were overjoyed to see Sam Mitchell return in Monday’s episode, as Kim Medcalf reprised the role for the first time in 17 years.
Kim – who previously portrayed Sam from 2002 to 2005 before being replaced by Danniella Westbrook in 2009 – returned to Walford to reunite with her on-screen brother.
Sam had been recruited by Phil to assist him in sorting out the family business, and appeared in a shocking twist moments before the episode’s conclusion.
Phil, who has been offered a deal in which he will be allowed to leave prison in exchange for acting as a police informant, was seen discussing the offer with DCI Samantha Keeble.
After declining the deal, Phil informed DCI Keeble that he needed to return to prison for a visit, where he welcomed his sister Sam’s return.
As Sam entered wearing a mini dress, Phil stated, ‘Mother would have dragged you back into the house for wearing that.’
‘Ignore the fact that you’re being prosecuted for murder; I’d still be the one in trouble, wouldn’t I?’ Sam responded.
Phil smiled and said, ‘It’s good to see you, Sam.’ She responded, ‘Yeah, it’s good to be back.’
Despite the brief appearance, viewers went wild for Sam’s return and shared their joy on Twitter.
One person wrote: ‘YES. She is the ‘best’ Sam Mitchell. SAM MITCHELL IS THE BEST. I had hoped it would be her.’
‘Yay, #SamMitchell is finally back,’ another user wrote.
One person described her as ‘iconic,’ while another described her as a ‘beautiful lady.’
While many lauded Kim’s comeback, others remarked on Danniella’s absence and admitted they preferred her in the long-running role.
‘Wow, I had no idea Medcalf was last seen on EastEnders in 2005. Indeed, I’d forgotten Daniella Westbrook had returned twice previously!’
‘Oh no, this Sam Mitchell does not have the same power as Danniella Westbrook,’ another stated.
‘I wish her the best of success and it must be fantastic to get ‘the role back,’ and she is an excellent actress, but despite all the turmoil over the years, only @westbrookdanni convinces me that ‘Sam Mitchell’ is in town,’ another remarked. The rawness with which she approaches it is [crown emoji].’
Danniella first featured in the role of Peggy Mitchell’s rebellious daughter in 1990 and reprised it in 2016.
However, she recently chastised EastEnders for allegedly failing to inform her of the recasting of her part as Sam Mitchell.
Danniella told The Sun that she was ‘astonished’ not to have been informed of the casting decision prior to it being made public.
‘I’ve been known as Sam Mitchell for 32 years,’ she explained. However, nobody at EastEnders contacted me to inform me that Kim had been recast in the role. There was no email sent to my agency. I was taken aback since they do have an obligation to inform me, and someone should have.’
The actress, who has battled drug addiction since the age of 14, continued: ‘My bosses have witnessed me suffer with addiction and have no idea where I am now.
‘Fortunately, I am unharmed. However, had I not been, it may have had grave ramifications for me.’