Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is reunited with mum Peggy (Jaime Winstone) in EastEnders next week, when he begins to suffer troubling hallucinations.
Viewers will be transported back four decades to 1985, when a pivotal moment from Phil’s life will be played out as his depression deepens.
The last time we met the younger Mitchells was in a special flashback episode, which aired to acclaim in 2022.
A number of the cast will reprise their roles for the upcoming scenes, with Jaime Winstone returning as matriarch Peggy, while Teddy Jay will return as Grant, George Russo as Eric and Daniel Delaney as Phil.
An adolescent version of Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who recently returned to the Square after a three decade absence, will also appear, with Sam Miles taking on the part.
Speaking of taking on the role from the iconic Barbara Windsor once again, Jaime said: ‘It was such an honour to be welcomed back to play Peggy Mitchell.
‘She is a dream role for me; so to be able to contribute to this iconic family on this major storyline has been such a joyous and emotional journey and I truly hope I have done her justice.
‘Thank you to all the EastEnders family, this has been such a wonderful experience.’
EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw added: ‘Flashbacks like these give the audience a unique opportunity to better understand Phil’s mindset and the traumatic events that have led him to his mental health crisis.’
The scenes come following an attempt to take his own life.
His wider family gather together to think of the best way to support him in the wake of the incident, and another discovery soon leads them down a worrying path.
At Billy (Perry Fenwick) and Honey Mitchell’s (Emma Barton) joint hen and stag do celebrations, Phil’s ex-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) struggles to enjoy herself after realising his inner turmoil.
Mo Harris (Laila Morse) then informs her that he’s paid for the event out of his own pocket, and Sharon deploys everyone to search for him.
EastEnders 40th anniversary – Everything we know so far
Here’s what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:
A live episode
Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.
This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20.
The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…
Denise Fox decides… sort of.
With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.
We also know that another ‘history making’ decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced.
Grant Mitchell returns
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations.
‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased.
Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.
With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.
Special programming
Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops.
Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.
The Queen Vic explodes
As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.
Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There’s also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens – is this from the wedding?
Unfortunately, Phil can’t be found and his psychosis is worsening. He begins to imagine himself as a bystander in his former family home.
The visions start to become more real, and he finds himself conversing with his relatives.
When Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) tracks him down to his house, he and Sharon attempt to stage an intervention but Phil is adamant that there is nothing wrong.
Nigel then arrives with a final lifeline – his brother Grant (Ross Kemp), who is returning to The Square after nine years away.
Will Grant be able to save Phil?
