What happened to Mick Carter in EastEnders?

Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) was the loveable landlord of the Queen Vic and patriarch of the Carter family in EastEnders, and his disappearance in 2022 left a huge hole in the family – especially in the life of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

Mick first appeared on our screens in 2013, when he took over as owner of the Queen Vic. A big-hearted, kind and warm presence behind the bar, Mick – and, by extension, Danny – found his way into the hearts of the nation.

During his nine years on Albert Square, he was a part of some huge storylines.

Mick’s handling of son Johnny’s (then-Sam Strike) coming out was critically lauded, before an enormous reveal about his true parentage and his discovery that Linda’s rapist Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) was actually his brother, rocked the family.

A plot featuring the revelation of his historic child abuse at the hands of Katy Lewis (Simone Lahbib) was further praised by viewers and in his final months, his marriage to Linda tragically fell apart, with Mick ending up marrying Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), something which would ultimately lead to his – rather wet – downfall.

What happened to Mick Carter in EastEnders?

Mick Carter has been ‘confirmed’ dead – but in typical soaps style, that might not be the end of his story.

The character previously went missing on Christmas Day 2022, when he dived into the freezing sea to save Linda from drowning.

Unfortunately, he never resurfaced, leaving Linda absolutely devastated, with the sudden loss compounded by the face a body never appeared. Many have been left wondering whether Mick could have survived that fateful night, however, later scenes seemed to ‘confirm’ her beloved husband had met his demise.

Linda broke down when Mick’s ‘Presumption of Death’ certificate arrived as it finally hit her that Mick is unlikely to ever be found, however, in scenes airing in December 2023, there was hope for Linda when she received a text from an unknown number claiming to be Mick, promising to explain everything.

Unfortunately, the text ended up being from Dean Wicks, who had tricked her into meeting him.

Will Mick Carter ever return to EastEnders?

Producer Chris Clenshaw previously acknowledged Danny Dyer’s time on the BBC One soap has ended for now, but is also aware Mick’s exit has offered him the chance to return in the future if he ever wanted to.

‘It’s a soap, anything can happen!’, he said during an appearance on Loose Women in February 2023.

‘There’s an unwritten rule – there wasn’t a body so there’s every chance, will Mick rock back up in Walford in a few years covered in seaweed?’

Actor Danny Dyer has also confirmed he would be open to a return to the soap, saying on The Jonathan Ross Show: ‘If [my career] goes t**s up, I can go back. I can turn up in three years’ time, walk in the Queen Vic smothered in seaweed…’

In 2024, he joked at the NTAs that EastEnders should ‘bring Mick back’, which received quite the reaction from the audience, and ahead of the show’s 40th anniversary last year, he told the KISS Breakfast Radio Show: ‘I’ve chucked it out there. I think I need to go back and save my wife Linda, who’s now become a murderess.’

After 13 years, actress Kellie Bright announced her decision to leave EastEnders, wounding Carter fans everywhere.

‘EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye,’ she said.

‘I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay.

‘I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys.’

With Danny previously suggesting Mick could return to help Linda out of the mess she found herself in after offing Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), perhaps he’d be equally enthused to provide Linda with a happy ending?