Peggy Mitchell is set to return to EastEnders for a special flashback episode. The BBC is set to revive the iconic character six years after her death, with actress Jaime Winstone taking on the role made famous by the late Dame Barbara Windsor.
As fans of the long-running BBC soap opera will know, Windsor played Peggy from 1994 until 2016. The actress, best known for starring in EastEnders and the Carry On films, died in 2020 at the age of 83 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Winstone, who is best known for her roles in the likes of 2006 film Kidulthood, E4 horror series Dead Set and Sky sitcom After Hours, will take centre stage as a younger version of Peggy in a one-off rewind episode selving into the Mitchell family's chequered past in 1979. The 37-year-old also previously played Windsor in the 2017 biopic Babs.
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Speaking about taking on the role of Peggy Mitchell, she said: “It’s been such an honour to step into Peggy Mitchell’s shoes for the first time, and into Barbara’s shoes for the second time. There’s certainly a healthy amount of pressure when you’re taking on such an iconic role - I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“Playing this role has really cemented my love and admiration for Barbara as I got to bookend my journey by playing Peggy Mitchell – I hope I’ve done her justice and I’ve loved every minute of it, I can’t wait for everyone to see the episode.”
The forthcoming special will also feature previously unseen characters from the depths of EastEnders' long history. This includes Peggy’s husband Eric (played by George Russo), Billy Mitchell’s older brother, Charlie (Charlie Heptinstall) and Billy and Charlie’s father, Stephen (Dean Roberts).
There will also be some more familiar characters, albeit in much younger forms. Actor Daniel Delaney will play a young version of Phil while Teddy Jay is Grant, Henry Garrett is Archie and Rose Reynolds plays Glenda. George Greenland also joins the cast as Billy.
It will also mark a return for Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell. The sisters, who were dramatically killed off in 2016, will be seen with their parents, Archie and Glenda.
The episode will follow Peggy as she battles to keep her three children safe while her marriage to Eric begins to fall apart. Meanwhile, back in the present day, Phil finds himself inspired by past memories as he struggles with growing pressure from DCI Keeble.
EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming an incredible cast of actors to set for this special flashback episode, including the luminous Jaime Winstone as a young Peggy Mitchell.
“Focussed on the Mitchell family, audiences will embark on a rollercoaster journey to the East End of London in 1979 where they’ll delve into the family’s past, seeing much-loved and iconic characters, as well as meeting characters from the show’s history that have never been seen on screen before.
“There are twists, turns and secrets revealed – after all, trouble is never too far away where The Mitchells are concerned!”
Winstone is currently filming, with the episode set to air this autumn.
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