Phil Mitchell

Phil Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden. He was introduced on 20 February 1990 and was followed by his brother, Grant (Ross Kemp), sister, Sam (Danniella Westbrook/Kim Medcalf) and mother, Peggy Mitchell (Jo Warne/Barbara Windsor). Phil was one of the major characters introduced by executive producer Michael Ferguson, who wanted to bring in some macho male leads. Phil and his brother Grant became popularly known as the Mitchell brothers in the British media, with Phil initially portrayed as the more level-headed of the two thugs. Storylines featuring the Mitchell family dominated the soap opera throughout the 1990s, with Phil serving as one of the show's central characters and protagonists since the 1990s. McFadden temporarily left the series in late 2003, then returned in April 2005 for a brief appearance before making a permanent return in October 2005, and has now overtaken Dot Cotton (June Brown) as the second-longest-serving character in EastEnders – surpassed only by original character Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt). A teenage version of Phil, played by Daniel Delaney, appeared in a flashback episode broadcast in 2022, which focuses on the Mitchell family in the 1970s, as well as in two other flashbacks in 2025; first in February before the show's 40th anniversary and again in December for a special episode revolving around the dementia of his old friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley). Phil's most prominent storylines include his battles with alcoholism and addiction; suffering from cirrhosis of the liver; various criminal dealings; having an affair with Grant's ex-wife, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean)—a storyline popularly dubbed "Sharongate"; a failed marriage to Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth); a longstanding animosity with his tormented stepson Ian; sparking numerous feuds and rivalries; having relationship problems; seeking to avenge the death of Sharon's adoptive brother...