The EastEnders moment we’ve ALL dreaded is finally here — as two Walford legends prepare for heartbreaking exits
It’s a day EastEnders fans, myself included, have dreaded and sadly it’s finally upon us as Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) have departed Walford once more.
A moment please while we sob.
The legendary Mitchell siblings, Phil (Steve McFadden) included, reunited for the first time in a decade this year amid the powerful Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) storyline and provided us with some of the best EastEnders moments in recent memory.
Having the iconic trio back on our screens was nothing short of joyous – and it certainly lived up to the hype – but what is it that they say? All good things come to an end.
And what a way to go out, with Sam and Grant sneaking out of Walford with some help from Phil and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) after Max (Jake Wood) reported Grant to the police for arson.
Grant, who had been determined to build a relationship with son Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple), took the blame for the cars torched by his estranged lad. Mark was taken aback and realised the error of his ways in how he’d been treating Grant, revealing that he was grateful.
Sam, meanwhile, decided that she would accompany Grant to Portugal too,having felt that her time in Walford was at an end. Thus the trio evaded the authorities together – just like old times!
The relationship between Sam, Phil and Grant has never been stronger, with the siblings in the best place they’ve been in decades – and their scenes together, particularly during Nige’s funeral, were electric.
Sam in particular has enjoyed one of her best stints to date on the show, with powerhouse star Kim Medcalf – who originally played Sam between 2002 and 2005, before returning in 2022 and again in 2025 – having quite the knack for elevating every scene that she’s in.
Since her return last year, Sam’s character development has been pretty perfect. She not only proved a confidante for her often-warring siblings but also a shoulder for show icons outside her clan, including Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) – something that the character was never particularly utilised for previously which shows just how far she has come.
As a result, these aforementioned dynamics often ensured that the scenes in question were among the best the respective episodes had to offer.
Don’t stay away too long Sam! Walford won’t be the same without you.
And same can be said for Grant. Having star Ross Kemp back as the legendary hard-man not only escalated the Nigel storyline to another level but it also allowed us the chance to finally explore Grant’s difficult relationship with Mark – and his short-lived romance with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) was also a welcomed story move.The Mitchells were back together again in 2026. Dreams really do come true. Can we do it again sometime soon please?
