BBC flagship soap EastEnders have announced that they are taking audiences back in time to 1979 with flashbacks of the famous Mitchell family. The Mitchell family are known as one of EastEnder's most notorious families with iconic characters.
This includes the character of Peggy Mitchell who was played by the late Dame Barbara Windsor. Barbara played Peggy from 1994 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2016.
In 2020 Barbara passed away aged 83 after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014. This has meant that the iconic character of Peggy Mitchell, who is very protective over her family and family name, has not been played since. But what do we know about the episode and when will it be on?
READ MORE: Why isn't EastEnders on BBC1 tonight and how can I watch it?
When will the flashback episode air?
The BBC have said that the special episode will air this autumn.
What will happen in the episode?
In the special flashback episode Phil Mitchell, son of Peggy, is forced to confront his past. There will also be characters in the episode who have never before been seen on EastEnders.
Who are the new Mitchell family characters?
Peggy's husband Eric, who will be played by George Russo, Billy Mitchell's older brother Charlie, who will be played by Charlie Heptinstall, and Billy and Charlie's father Stephen who will be played by Dean Roberts. Also joining the cast are Daniel Delaney as Phil, Teddy Jay as Grant, Henry Garrett as Archie, Rose Reynolds as Glenda, and George Greenland as Billy.
Who will play young Peggy?
Kidulthood, Mad Dogs and Four Lives actress, Jaime Winstone, who played Barbara herself in the BBC biopic about Barbara's life called Babs, will be playing a young Peggy Mitchell. Jaime, whose dad is actor Ray Winstone, described this as her first time playing Peggy and her second time playing Barbara.
She said: "It’s been such an honour to step into Peggy Mitchell’s shoes for the first time, and into Barbara’s shoes for the second time. There’s certainly a healthy amount of pressure when you’re taking on such an iconic role - I thoroughly enjoyed it."
"Playing this role has really cemented my love and admiration for Barbara as I got to bookend my journey by playing Peggy Mitchell – I hope I’ve done her justice and I’ve loved every minute of it, I can’t wait for everyone to see the episode."
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