First glimpse of the Mitchell family in EastEnders’s flashback episode, featuring Eric Mitchell, Phil, Peggy, Grant, Billy and Charlie
(Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron/PA)The BBC has given EastEnders fans a sneak peek of an upcoming throwback episode featuring the Mitchells.
The soap episode, which is set in the 1970s, follows a younger version of Peggy and Phil Mitchell in an hour-long special that explores the family’s complicated past.
Due to be aired on September 5, producers have unveiled the first images of the cast dressed in the ’70s attire.
In the family picture, Peggy Mitchell (Jaime Winstone) takes centre stage as she looks fiercely at the camera while surrounded by her family members, Eric Mitchell (George Russo), Phil Mitchell (Daniel Delaney), Grant Mitchell (Teddy Jay), Billy Mitchell (George Greenland), and Charlie Mitchell (Charlie Heptinstall).
According to the BBC, the episode will be set in 1979 and will follow the many complex family relationships within the Mitchell household. Peggy, originally played by Dame Barbara Windsor, will naturally play a leading role.
The synopsis reads: “Viewers will be transported to the winter of 1979, as the Mitchells are hit hard by a Britain in economic turmoil. Peggy has her hands full between keeping the boys, Sam, and the household in line whilst her marriage to Eric is showing its cracks.
“Phil and Eric are vying for the title of man of the house as the tension between them rises. Elsewhere, Archie is up to his usual tricks as Glenda does her best to keep the lively Ronnie and Roxy out of trouble.”
The episode is shown in order to put Phil’s struggles with Det Chief Insp Keeble in context.
The synopsis continues: “Audiences will take a journey back to his youth, where clues to his present will undoubtedly be revealed… How will revelations about the past influence Phil’s ability to protect his family in 2022? Will the truth of DCI Keeble’s vendetta against the Mitchell family finally be revealed?”
Actor Jaime Winstone, who previously played Windsor in her biopic Babs, is also thrilled to be assuming the role of Peggy in the upcoming episode.
“It’s such an honour to step into Peggy Mitchell’s shoes for the first time, and into Barbara’s shoes for a second time,” she said.
“There’s certainly a healthy amount of pressure when you’re taking on such an iconic role – I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
