EASTENDERS: JAIME WINSTONE REPRISES THE ROLE OF PEGGY MITCHELL FOR MENTAL HEALTH STORYLINE

Jaime Winstone is set to reprise the role of Peggy Mitchell as she returns to EastEnders in an upcoming episode as part of Phil’s ongoing mental health storyline.

As Phil’s depression continues to take hold, he will start to experience symptoms of psychosis in the form of hallucinations depicting scenes from the Mitchell family home in 1985.

During his hallucinations, Phil will act as a bystander to a pivotal moment from his adolescence. As Phil’s negative internal dialogue worsens, the hallucinations will also transcend into Phil’s life as he starts to converse with the characters from his past, as well as his former younger self back in Walford in The Square and at No.55.

Alongside Jaime, George Russo (Eric Mitchell), Daniel Delaney (Phil Mitchell) and Teddy Jay (Grant Mitchell) also return to reprise their roles of the younger Mitchell clan following EastEnders’ special Mitchell flashback episode which aired in September 2022, and Sam Miles will also be joining the cast to take on the role of a young Nigel Bates. 

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.

On her return, Jamie 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.”

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer added: “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.”

EastEnders continues Monday-Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.