Grant Antony Mitchell is the son of Eric and Peggy Mitchell, brother of Phil and Sam Mitchell and father of Mark Fowler Jr and Courtney Mitchell. He is also the ex-husband of Sharon Watts and Carla Mitchell as well as the widower of Tiffany Mitchell. He made his first appearance on 22 February 1990 and last on 27 February 2025. He was portrayed by Ross Kemp.
Storylines
1990-1995: Arrival and marriage to Sharon Watts
Grant Mitchell arrives in Albert Square with his brother Phil, as the owners of the local garage, The Arches. Grant had returned from being a paratrooper in the Army involved in the Falklands War where he killed many soldiers, leaving Grant with severe PTSD. After a brief fling with Julie Cooper and getting involved in various dodgy deals, Grant starts wooing the local barmaid, Sharon. Sharon is attracted to his machismo, and soon their flirting progresses into a relationship. Fiercely protective of his girlfriend, most of Grant's initial problems in the Square revolve around his over-possessive nature and jealousy. He puts the landlord of The Queen Victoria public house, Eddie Royle, in hospital after he makes a pass at Sharon; he later becomes prime suspect for Royle's murder, but Nick Cotton eventually owns up to the crime. In the wake of this, Grant decides to re-enlist in the army, but is rejected when he fails their psychiatric tests.
Despite his hot-headed tendencies, Sharon sees a different side to Grant; when eventually he proposes marriage to her, she accepts on the condition that Grant buys her childhood home The Queen Victoria public house - which he does. Soon Grant marries Sharon and together they run The Queen Vic. But their marriage proves to be stormy and punctuated with violent rows and fights. Grant is desperate for a child, and when he discovers Sharon is still taking contraception, he smashes up the pub and then disappears. In his absence, Sharon is comforted by Phil and they begin an affair, although this comes to an abrupt end when Grant returns and promises to change his ways.
However, Grant cannot live up to his promises; on Sharon's birthday, he sets fire to The Queen Vic to generate insurance money to pay off debts. Beforehand Grant does not check to see if Sharon is out of the way, and because of this she and her dog Roly nearly die in the blaze. The insurance money is insufficient, and Sharon reacts with fury when she discovers what Grant has done. She leaves Grant for a while. When Sharon comes back and attempts to seize control of The Queen Vic, Grant turns violent and hits her. The police later visit Grant in front of Sharon and her best-friend Michelle Fowler. However, he snaps and ends up attacking the officers - hitting Michelle in the process - before he is eventually apprehended. Grant is later imprisoned on remand, during which Sharon and Phil rekindle their affair; however, neither can confess to Grant and it ends when he is released from prison.
Afterwards, Sharon and Grant patch up their relationship; however, Grant would finally discover her affair with Phil after discovering a tape which contains Sharon taking to Michelle about how she slept with Phil. Mortified by this revelation, a distraught and furious Grant proceeds to play the tape in front of everyone at The Vic during Phil's engagement party to Sharon's friend Kathy Beale. Grant in revenge attacks Phil, leaving him with a ruptured spleen, and bullies Sharon until she flees to the United States. It is then the Mitchell Brothers' mother, Peggy, arrives in Walford; she learns about the situation and helps the brothers make up whilst blaming Sharon for the issue between them. Sharon later comes back on a brief occasion to enact revenge, making Grant realise that he is still in love with her, he chooses to be with Sharon over his family. Sharon is ready to turn him down in front of a packed pub and his family. However, in the end, she cannot go through with it and stops him from publicly proposing before he humiliates himself. Sharon then confesses to him that she still loves him, before returning to the US - leaving Grant heartbroken.
At this stage, Grant has become sworn enemies with Michelle. They have a volatile relationship and soon the two have a heated confrontation at the pub one night during closing time. They are alone and start arguing, but ultimately end up having a one-night stand together. Michelle later finds out that she is pregnant and that Grant is the child's father, but decides not to tell him about this and proceeds to leave Walford to the US. Grant would not find out that the baby is his until two decades later.
1996-1999: Marriage to Tiffany Mitchell and departure
Thereafter Grant goes on to marry his second wife Tiffany Raymond, who later gets pregnant; although it is unclear whether he or Tiffany's ex-partner Tony Hills is the father. When Grant discovers this, he is incensed and throws Tiffany out. He then begins a relationship with her friend Lorraine Wicks, until a paternity test reveals that Grant is the father of baby Courtney. He reunites with Tiffany to be near his daughter. Around the same time, Grant comforts Kathy when her marriage with Phil falls apart due to his alcoholism despite the pair conceiving their son - Ben. Sometime later, Grant and Phil help Kathy's son Ian rescue his children in Italy from his treacherous ex-wife Cindy.
In 1998, Grant's marriage with Tiffany ultimately collapses when he ends up having an affair with her mother Louise. The dalliance lasts until Tiffany eventually finds out from an argument between them on Courtney's baby monitor, which she overhears. The next day, she confronts Grant and declares they are over. An argument ensues until Tiffany falls down the stairs, and is hospitalised. Grant is then suspected by many people, namely Tiffany's brother Simon and her childhood friend Bianca Jackson, of pushing her down the stairs. By then, Grant has embarked on a feud with police officer Beppe Di Marco; the two have become archenemies due to working for opposing sides of the law and also because Beppe has developed platonic affections for Tiffany. Soon when Tiffany recuperates and comes out of hospital, she plans to flee to Spain with Courtney. However, Grant stops Tiffany by retrieving Courtney just as they are about to leave. She becomes hysterical when he takes Courtney away and attempts to retrieve her daughter back, but in that moment runs into a car driven by his future stepfather Frank Butcher consequently she ends up getting hit by Frank's car, and a horrified Grant watches along with everyone else in shock as Tiffany dies just as the clock struck midnight at the start of 1999.
Following Tiffany's funeral, Grant tries to move on by dating barmaid Nina Harris for a while. But then he later dumps Nina after discovering that she used to work as a prostitute in the past. By then Grant and Beppe's feud continues to the point where Grant clashes with Beppe's brother Gianni on certain occasions as well. Soon enough, Grant begins an antagonistic business partnership with Phil's nemesis Steve Owen whilst the pair are working alongside Annie Palmer - the daughter of Peggy's old boyfriend George Palmer. Eventually, the conflict between Grant and Steve ends when the latter demands a word with him; Grant instead punches Steve and leaves him seething.
Sometime later, Grant and Phil plan to cheat some gangsters to pay off a debt for their cousin Billy by intercepting a drug deal and stealing a large amount of cash. However, the job goes awry when Phil finds out that Grant has had sex with his ex-wife Kathy before doing the job. He confronts Grant after the job and Grant admits he did it in revenge for Phil having sex with Sharon. Phil pulls out a gun, and shoots the steering wheel in their getaway car, causing Grant to plunge the car into the River Thames. Phil is rescued but Grant is not found and presumed dead. A week later it is revealed that Grant is alive. He departed with Courtney and the stolen money to Rio de Janeiro.
The aftermath of Grant's exit sees Phil receiving his share of the pub. But Phil remains angry with Grant over sleeping with Kathy and decides to sell the share to fellow hardman Dan Sullivan for £5. Everyone is shocked at this, including Phil's godson Jamie and girlfriend Lisa, eventually, they aggravate Phil for his decision to the point where Phil exposes Grant's one-night stand with Kathy to everyone.
2005-2006: Return with Courtney Mitchell and departure
Grant returns to Walford with Phil in October 2005 to exonerate Sam for the murder of their family's competitive enemy Den Watts, also Sharon's adopted father. Sam is being framed by the real murderer - Den's wife, Chrissie Watts. By then Grant has managed to put behind him his differences with both Phil and Sharon, forgiving Sharon when she confesses that she aborted his child. Grant and Phil manage to persuade Sharon that Chrissie is the real killer. He finds CCTV evidence of Chrissie confessing to her murder of Den.
It is then that Grant and Phil come into conflict with their mother's enemy Johnny Allen, who holds a grudge against the Mitchell brothers, when the latter uses the tape as bait to try and kill the brothers. But Grant and Phil beat Johnny at his nightclub office in order to get the tape, after which Sam is released from prison and Chrissie is imprisoned. Following this, Grant returns to Rio.
In 2006, he returns with Courtney in the midst of citing both family and financial problems back in Brazil. Phil tricks Grant to help him in his quest against Johnny to avenge the death of Sharon's second husband Dennis Rickman. Amidst arguing amongst the Mitchell brothers, Johnny, armed with a shotgun, captures them and orders his henchman Danny Moon to take them to a forest and kill them. They are rescued by Danny's brother Jake Moon, who shoots his brother dead at the last second - saving Phil and Grant.
Afterwards, Grant begins to flirt with Ian's girlfriend Jane Collins when they get to know each other. He seduces her after getting a job working for Jake at the newly reopened Scarlet nightclub. Their affair ends when Phil catches them together and Grant then has a one-night stand with 19-year-old Chelsea Fox - to his mother's outrage. Shortly after, his estranged Brazilian wife, Carla, shows up in Walford. Grant and Carla resume their relationship, but Carla's ex-partner Ray soon arrives to retrieve £12,000 that Carla has stolen from him. Carla and Ray resume their affair and plan to fleece Grant for £25,000. Grant learns of Carla's scam; unbeknown to Carla he chases Ray away and leads Carla to believe he has fallen for her lies. Grant catches her attempting to steal his money and reacts by dumping her in a litter bin, ending their marriage. Grant and Courtney then leave together for Portugal.
2016: Return and meeting Mark Fowler Jr
In May 2016, Peggy returns to Albert Square following a diagnosis of terminal cancer. She decides to stop her treatment, but Phil tries to change her mind, enlisting the help of Sharon. Sharon then calls Grant in Portugal, leaving a voicemail saying that his family needs him. Grant returns to the Square soon after and walks in on Phil and Peggy. He plans to take Peggy with him back to Portugal, only for her to say that her cancer is active. Grant is angry when Peggy reveals that her plan for him and Sam to learn about it was by letters to them after her death by suicide, however Phil and Grant seemingly convince Peggy not to do this. Grant tells Phil he immediately needs the money that he lent him. Knowing he cannot get it, Grant threatens him unless he returns the money. Grant returns to Portugal and Sharon has to call him about Peggy having killed herself. When Sam returns to Walford for Peggy's funeral, she reveals that Grant is unable to attend the funeral, although Grant secretly attends, laying a flower and watching from a distance.
When Grant's nephew Ben Mitchell goes missing and Phil is reluctant to get the police involved, Sharon contacts Grant for help, but Courtney meets Sharon instead; Grant has not seen the messages. Sharon decides to go to the police and finds Grant outside the police station as a result of being drunk and disorderly. Grant goes to The Queen Vic where he flirts with Belinda Peacock. Grant tells Courtney that Phil killed Peggy. When Courtney tells Grant that Sharon wanted to meet him, he goes to see Sharon and declares his love to her, but she is not interested. Grant accuses Phil of killing Peggy and asks for his money back, but Phil does not have it. Grant tries to persuade Sharon to go to Portugal with him but she declares her love for Phil. Grant telephones Courtney to ask to stay with her but she refuses. Grant then meets Belinda again and they go to her home for sex but are interrupted by her family. Phil finds a letter in Sharon's bag that Michelle sent Peggy, revealing that Grant fathered Michelle's child, Mark Fowler Jr 21 years previously. Grant visits Jane where he learns that she has been paralysed by her adoptive son Bobby Beale. He admits that he has lost his home and business in Portugal and is in debt. Grant and Jane both comfort each other, but Ian walks in on them and shouts at Grant for deserting his family. Grant leaves, ignoring Phil, who is attempting to tell him about Mark. Courtney calls Grant, who is staying with Aunt Sal due to losing his villa and bar in Portugal, for help after Ben and Jay Brown are kidnapped by the men who attacked Ben and killed his boyfriend Paul Coker. Grant rushes to Courtney's aid and assumes Mark is attacking her, but Sharon tells him he is Michelle's son. Phil initially insists he does not need Grant's help but then accepts it. Phil collapses so Grant vows to rescue Ben. Mark gets in Grant's car to help him, and they find Ben and Grant scares off the men. Grant reconciles with Phil, admitting he no longer wants the money Phil borrowed from him, and Phil tells Grant that Mark is his son. Courtney is angry with Grant when he stops her kissing Mark. Grant confronts Ian about keeping the secret for so long and punches him after Ian insults his parenting skills. Sharon tells him the reasons Michelle did not want him involved and Grant agrees that Mark would be better off not knowing, but Jane convinces Grant otherwise, so Grant offers to take Mark for a drink. After a heart to heart, Grant realizes that Mark would be better off not knowing and decides to return to Portugal after seeing Phil. Phil gives him money, and he reunites with Courtney and the pair return to Portugal. Mark also works out who Grant is, but Sharon convinces him he is better off with his adoptive father, Tim.
2025: Phil Mitchell's mental health and reunion with Nigel Bates
Grant returns to Albert Square on 13 February, after Nigel had contacted him regarding Phil. Grant seems to think that his brother is fine and is unsure why Nigel brought him back. However, Grant receives a shock when he, Nigel and Linda track Phil down at the Arches to find him attempting to shoot himself. Grant was is disbelief and soon ran off as he couldn't deal with the state his brother was in. At the same time, the Queen Vic had exploded - with many trapped inside. Grant helped people climb out of one of the windows and later realised that Sharon was still trapped in the pub. Grant finds his way into the demolished pub with Bianca, who is looking for Sonia. Grant finds Sharon and carries her out of the wreckage.
The next day, Grant learns that Phil has been taken to a mental health unit and is reluctant to visit him. After visiting Sharon in hospital, Grant goes to see Phil. Phil, however, wants nothing more to do with Grant and he leaves. After the unwelcome response from Phil, Grant decides to head back to Portugal.
Sharon comes home from the hospital, still upset about Martin's death. Sharon and Grant talk about Michelle and Grant mentions Mark Jr. Sharon tells him that Mark knows about his dad and says it's left up to him if he wants to contact Grant. Later, Sharon and Grant kiss passionately and end up sleeping together.
Grant is shocked to learn that Nigel has dementia and decides to take Nigel with him when he goes back to Portugal.
On 27 February, Grant goes to visit Phil again before he leaves. The brothers make up and Grant promises to keep in contact more. Nigel decides that he's going to stay in Walford to help Phil once he comes home. Grant says goodbye to Sharon and Nigel and leaves.
Kill count
Connected murders and deaths
- Tiffany Mitchell (31 December 1998) (indirectly caused) - Was ran over accidentally by Frank Butcher after chasing Grant through the square who had just kidnapped their daughter Courtney.
- Danny Moon (31 March 2006) (association) - Shot by Jake Moon to save Grant and Phil Mitchell, Grant and Phil then left and Jake buried Danny's body.
Attempted murder victims
- Eddie Royle (4 April 1991) - Beats Eddie almost to death in a fit of rage.
- Dougie Briggs (12 April 1994) (defence) - Beats him almost to death in a struggle for Dougie's gun after Dougie had robbed and possibly even intended to kill him, Sharon and Michelle.
- Phil Mitchell (25 October 1994) - Throws Phil in the pit of the Archers as revenge for sleeping with his wife Sharon, Phil is hospitalised and suffers bleeding on the brain but ultimately survives.
- Johnny Allen (30 March 2006) - Attempts to strangle Johnny for bad mouthing Phil but Phil stops him.
Fight count
Punches
- Phil Mitchell (1979 - seen in 5 September 2022 flashback) (x11) (during sparring)
- Eddie Royle (4 April 1991) (x7) (knocked out)
- Police officer (25 March 1993)
- Another police officer (25 March 1993)
- Dougie Briggs (12 April 1994)
- David Wicks (31 May 1994) (knocked out)
- Beppe di Marco (3 December 1998)
- Beppe di Marco (25 January 1999) (x2)
- Beppe di Marco (23 September 1999)
- Steve Owen (14 October 1999)
- Jake Moon (7 November 2005)
- Danny Moon (28 March 2006) (×2)
- Ray (8 June 2006)
- Ray (8 June 2006) (×2)
- Ian Beale (6 September 2016)
Total: 15
Individual characters punched: 12
Total punches: 34
Slaps
- Sharon Mitchell (16 March 1993)
- Michelle Fowler (25 March 1993)
- Peggy Mitchell (23 April 1998) (accidental)
Total: 3
Individual characters slapped: 3
Total slaps: 3
Elbows
- Dougie Briggs (12 April 1994)
Total: 1
Individual characters elbowed: 1
Total punches: 1
Headbutts
- Police officer (25 March 1993)
- Johnny Allen (7 November 2005)
Total: 2
Individual characters headbutted: 2
Total headbutts: 2
Background information
- Despite never killing anyone on-screen, it was confirmed that Grant had killed multiple times while in the army. Although this doesn't go into his kill count due to him killing to protect his country and was on army duty, therefore he wouldn't be responsible for the deaths by law.
- For the roles of Phil and Grant Mitchell many actors were screen-tested together. This was done to assure the chosen actors – who would work together – had a strong rapport and physical resemblance. Producer Corinne Hollingworth commented: "There were some good actors we had to turn down because we couldn't find the 'right' brother." Steve McFadden, an actor who had worked extensively in television, was cast as Phil. His shape, skills in stage fighting and a variety of sports including boxing, football and karate made him an ideal choice to play one of Walford's latest "tough-men." Ross Kemp got the role of Grant. Both actors worked well together and shared similar physical characteristics, such as short cropped hair and a "round, open face" – facial characteristics also shared by Daniella Westbrook, who was chosen to play their sister Samantha because of this.
- Actor Ross Kemp had previously played a character in Emmerdale in 1986 and 1987 (then known as Emmerdale Farm). This character was Graham Lodsworth, the illegitimate son of Dolly Skilbeck. Graham Lodsworth was similar to Grant, a bit of a thug who was in the army. This may have played a part in Ross landing the role of Grant Mitchell.
- The Mitchell brothers quickly became two of the soap's most popular characters and storylines involving them began to dominate the programme.
Quotes
First line to Ethel Skinner and Dot Cotton: Sorry girls, didn't mean to scare you."
Final line to Courtney Mitchell before they leave together: "Yeah I am aren't I? Guess we'll just have to rob a bank won't we."