Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)

Grant Mitchell
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Ross Kemp (1990–2016) Teddy Jay (2022 flashback)
Duration	1990–1999, 2005–2006, 2016, 2022
First appearance	Episode 527 22 February 1990 (1990-02-22)
Last appearance	Episode 6550 5 September 2022 (2022-09-05)
Classification	Former; regular
Introduced by	Michael Ferguson (1990) Kate Harwood (2005) Dominic Treadwell-Collins (2016) Chris Clenshaw (2022)
Book appearances	Blood Ties: The Life and Loves of Grant Mitchell
Spin-off appearances	Dimensions in Time (1993) The Mitchells – Naked Truths (1998)
In-universe information Occupation Mechanic Barman Pub landlord Businessman Career criminal Family Mitchell Father Eric Mitchell Mother Peggy Mitchell Brothers Phil Mitchell Sisters Sam Mitchell Wife Sharon Watts (1991–1995) Tiffany Raymond (1996–1999) Carla Mitchell (2003–2006) Sons Mark Fowler Daughters Courtney Mitchell Uncles Archie Mitchell Clive Mitchell Aunts Sal Martin Nephews Ben Mitchell Raymond Dawkins Ricky Branning Albie Watts Nieces Louise Mitchell First cousins Ronnie Mitchell Roxy Mitchell Other relatives Billy Mitchell Charlie Mitchell Stevie Mitchell Jamie Mitchell Danielle Jones Lola Pearce Lexi Pearce Amy Mitchell Charli Slater Teddy Mitchell Harry Mitchell Barney Mitchell

Grant Mitchell is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders, played by Ross Kemp. He was introduced by producer Michael Ferguson to revamp the show, and originally served as one of the show's leading protagonists throughout the 1990s; with the character first appearing in 22 February 1990 and then departing on 25 October 1999 after Kemp had opted to leave the show. He then returned to the show on 24 October 2005 for a few weeks and returned again between March and June 2006. Kemp was persuaded to return to the role for brief stints during a period of heavy media criticism aimed at EastEnders. The return proved to be a ratings success. Kemp reprised the role of Grant for various guest stints in 2016, appearing in twelve episodes between 13 May and 9 September. An archived recording of his voice was heard on 25 January 2022.^[1] On 26 July 2022, it was announced that Grant would feature in a flashback episode focusing on the Mitchell family in 1979.^[2] Teddy Jay played the role of Grant for this special episode, which aired on 5 September 2022.^[3]

Throughout the course of his 1990s duration, Grant established himself as one of the show's most prominent characters. He was portrayed as a tough persona, known for his fiery temper and his tendency to resort to violence. Despite this, however, his family is important to him – particularly his relationship with his older brother Phil (Steve McFadden). Known as the "Mitchell brothers", Grant and Phil have become household names in the United Kingdom – due to their association with the stereotypical black leather jacket-wearing bald and brutal thug. They have been parodied even in adverts where their gruff, tough talking, cockney accents have been impersonated. One of EastEnders' most popular and highly rated storylines was "Sharongate", where Grant discovers that his wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) has been having an affair with his brother. In light of this iconic revelation, Grant attacked Phil and exacted revenge on Sharon until she departed the programme following her betrayal. Grant then went on to embark on a second marriage with local barmaid Tiffany Raymond (Martine McCutcheon), up to the point where she gave birth to their daughter – Courtney. However, their marriage ended in tragedy when Grant's stepfather Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) accidentally runs her down on New Year's Eve 1998.

The character has also become a prime suspect in the murder of Sharon's hated boss Eddie Royle (Michael Melia); sparked a longstanding feud with her best-friend Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully); clashed with Peggy's campaign rival George Palmer (Paul Moriarty); developed a close friendship with local shopkeeper Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley); formed a conflict with Sam's former boyfriend David Wicks (Michael French); harboured romantic feelings with David's former wife Lorraine (Jacqueline Leonard); cheated on Tiffany by having an affair with her mother Louise (Carol Harrison); triggered a rivalry with his archenemy Beppe di Marco (Michael Greco); disputed with Beppe's younger brother Gianni (Marc Bannerman); worked with Palmer's daughter Annie (Nadia Sawalha) on a jointed business venture at the local gym; established an antagonistic business partnership with Phil's would-be sworn nemesis, Steve Owen (Martin Kemp); had a one-night stand with Phil's estranged wife Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth); exonerated Sam for the murder of Sharon's adopted father, Den (Leslie Grantham), by proving to his ex-wife that her stepmother Chrissie (Tracy-Ann Oberman) was responsible for the crime; teamed up with Phil to confront their mother's gangland enemy, Johnny Allen (Billy Murray), and get justice for the death of Sharon's adopted brother-turned-second husband Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman) in the Get Johnny Week scenario; embarked on a tryst with cafe owner Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) while she is romantically engaged to Phil's hated stepson Ian (Adam Woodyatt); ended his third ill-fated marriage to Carla (Christianne Oliveira) upon learning that she turned him against Courtney; and discovered that he is the father of Michelle's secret son, Mark (Ned Porteous), in light of coping with losing his mother Peggy to cancer.

Despite his tough nature, he is also a womaniser and has been involved in several relationships with an array of women – including Julie Cooper (Louise Plowright), Nina Harris (Troy Titus-Adams), Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin) and Belinda Peacock (Carli Norris). While he has calmed down in recent years, Grant is still feared by people in and around Walford.