Phil Mitchell

Phil Mitchell
EastEnders character
Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell (2024)
Portrayed by	Steve McFadden Daniel Delaney (2022 flashback)
Duration	1990–2003, 2005–present
First appearance	Episode 526 20 February 1990 (1990-02-20)
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Michael Ferguson (1990) John Yorke (2005) Kate Harwood (2005)
Spin-off appearances	Dimensions in Time (1993) The Mitchells – Naked Truths (1998) Marsden's Video Diaries (2010) Last Tango in Walford (2010) EastEnders: E20 (2011)[1] Phil on Remand (2012)
In-universe information Occupation Mechanic Barman Pub landlord Businessman Career criminal Café owner Nightclub owner Gym owner Family Mitchell Father Eric Mitchell Mother Peggy Mitchell Brothers Grant Mitchell Sisters Sam Mitchell Wife Nadia Borovac (1993–1994) Kathy Beale (1995–1999) Kate Morton (2003–2005) Sharon Watts (2014–2020) Kat Slater (2023–present; separated) Sons Ben Mitchell Raymond Dawkins Albie Watts Daughters Louise Mitchell Adoptive sons Dennis Rickman Jnr Granddaughters Lexi Pearce Peggy Taylor Grandfathers Phillip Mitchell Jack Martin Grandmothers Sandra Mitchell Lilly Martin Uncles Archie Mitchell Clive Mitchell Aunts Aunt Sal Nephews Mark Fowler Ricky Branning Nieces Courtney Mitchell First cousins Ronnie Mitchell Roxy Mitchell Lenny Martin Loretta Martin Other relatives Stevie Mitchell Teddy Mitchell Harry Mitchell Barney Mitchell Charlie Mitchell Jamie Mitchell Billy Mitchell Lola Pearce Janet Mitchell Will Mitchell Ted Mitchell Danielle Jones James Branning Matthew Mitchell Cotton Amy Mitchell Charli Slater

Phil Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden. He was introduced to the soap opera on 20 February 1990 and was followed by his brother Grant (Ross Kemp), sister Sam (Danniella Westbrook/Kim Medcalf) and mother Peggy (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 on 5 September 2022, which focuses on the Mitchell family in the 1970s.^[2]

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 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 Beale (Adam Woodyatt); sparking numerous feuds and rivalries; having relationship problems; seeking to avenge the death of Sharon's adoptive brother and later husband Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman) by confronting his gangland killer, Johnny Allen (Billy Murray), in the "Get Johnny Week" storyline; becoming a prime suspect in the murder of his uncle Archie (Larry Lamb) (see "Who Killed Archie?"); developing an addiction to crack cocaine that sparks the events of The Queen Vic Fire Week; his ongoing struggle to bond with his children Ben (Max Bowden) and Louise (Tilly Keeper), a tempestuous relationship with Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), which ends when Phil covers up her best friend Heather Trott's (Cheryl Fergison) murder after Ben kills her, discovering that his wife Sharon had a tryst with and supposedly fallen pregnant by his daughter Louise's fiancé Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), the culmination of his feud with Keanu sparking the 35th anniversary episodes which sees Phil's stepson Dennis Rickman (Bleu Landau) die in a boat crash partly caused by Phil and Keanu's fight, and marrying Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace). As such Phil has also been a father figure to characters on the show, taking several under his wing including Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), his relative Jamie (Jack Ryder), Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), and his stepsons Dennis and Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall).

One of the most culturally significant storylines featuring the character aired in 2001 and was dubbed "Who Shot Phil?". The events saw Phil shot in a whodunit mystery, with the assailant eventually revealed to be his former girlfriend and Louise's mother Lisa Shaw (Lucy Benjamin). The "Who Shot Phil?" storyline captured viewer and media interest and the culprit-reveal episode was watched by 23 million viewers.