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Samantha Margaret Priscilla "Sam" Mitchell (previously Butcher and Hunter) is the daughter of Eric and Peggy Mitchell, younger sister of Phil and Grant Mitchell, mother of Ricky Branning and the ex-wife of Ricky Butcher and Andy Hunter. She made her first appearance on 19 July 1990.

Backstory

Samantha was born on the 13th May 1975. Sam was much younger than her older brothers so, as a result, they were extremely protective over her - often showing violence if anyone upset or annoyed her. Eric would often abuse Phil and sometimes Grant but he never laid a finger on Sam.

In 1985, when Sam was just 10 years old, Eric died due to cancer. Peggy later had a relationship with Kevin Masters, who Sam extremely disliked.

Storylines

1990-1995: Arrival and marriage to Ricky Butcher

Sam Mitchell (1990)
Sam Mitchell (1991)

Fifteen-year-old Sam follows her brothers to Walford in July 1990. She is unhappy at home because she dislikes Peggy's boyfriend, Kevin. She becomes friends with Hattie Tavernier and dates Ricky Butcher. Sam's family disapproves of the relationship, so Ricky and Sam decide to elope to Gretna Green in 1991. They marry, despite the Mitchells trying to stop the nuptials. Peggy admits defeat and attends their more formal blessing in Walford a month later.

Sam Butcher (1992)

Sam fails to earn school qualifications but she gains attention because of her looks after winning the title of "Miss Queen Vic". She starts to believe that she can have a career modelling. Sam attempts to get a portfolio done by a professional photographer, who persuades her to do a topless shoot. The photos are then published in a pornographic magazine. This causes problems in Ricky and Sam's relationship, which is already under strain, as Ricky is unable to provide Sam with the luxurious lifestyle that she desires. After just a year of marriage, Sam grows bored and begins lusting after a playboy named Clive whom she meets at a New Year's Eve party with her friend Mandy Salter. After having a brief affair, Sam thinks she has fallen in love with Clive, but he makes it clear that he is only interested in sex when he tries to coax her into having a threesome. Realising that her marriage with Ricky is over, Sam leaves Walford in 1993 to take a job as a holiday rep on a cruise ship.

Sam Butcher (1995)

In 1995, whilst on a boys holiday in Spain, Phil and Grant catch Sam in bed with David Wicks. They force her to return back to Walford with them. Sam had tried to build herself a career as a model but it had not gone to plan and she had ended up working as a hostess in a bar.

Back in Walford, Sam tries to continue her fling with David and when this goes nowhere she tries to come between Ricky and his girlfriend, Bianca Jackson. Initially, Ricky thinks that he still has feelings for Sam but eventually realises that he is better off with Bianca and tries to let Sam down gently. However, Sam won't take no for an answer and purposefully kisses an innocent Ricky in front of Bianca, causing them to split. Despite this, Ricky will not reconsider getting back with Sam and opts to try to make amends with Bianca. Sam is forced to admit defeat.

1996-2000: Relationships and departure

Sam Mitchell (1996)

Soon after, Sam meets a Spanish man named Guillermo, who is holidaying in England. When he invites her to join him in Spain she leaps at the chance and leaves Walford again in March 1996.

Sam Mitchell (1999)
Sam Mitchell (2000)

In 1999, Sam decides that she wants to settle down in Walford once more. During this time she embarks on a stormy relationship with Beppe di Marco, but she takes things more seriously than he does. After he finishes the relationship, a heartbroken Sam looks for comfort elsewhere. She turns to local club owner and Phil's adversary Steve Owen for support, but he is only using her to make his girlfriend Mel Healy jealous – so a hurt Sam decides to leave Walford once again in 2000.

2002-2005: Return, running businesses, marriage to Andy Hunter and departure

Sam Mitchell (2002)

In 2002, Peggy catches Sam working in a lap-dancing club in Spain. Ashamed and penniless, Sam returns to Walford with her mother and has a brief relationship with Steve until his death in March 2002. She then proceeds to have numerous flings with her Trevor Morgan and Dennis Rickman, as well briefly having a relationship with her ex-lovers Beppe and Ricky.

One night, whilst working in the pub, Sam is nearly raped by Dave Roberts. Sam manages to fight Dave off and escape the pub. When she begins flirting with Dennis' illegitimate father, Den Watts, she is left humiliated after he sacks her from her job at his family's club.

Sam Mitchell (2003)

Animosity between the Watts and Mitchell families escalates. Sam is left in charge of the Mitchell empire when Phil goes on the run after escaping prison for an armed robbery - which he was set up for by Den. Sam persuades Billy Mitchell to torch Phil's snooker club in an insurance scam - an act that results in Den's club burning down and his daughter Vicki Fowler nearly perishing in the fire. Dennis vows revenge and he is only warned off when his friend Andy Hunter, the local crime kingpin of Walford, begins a relationship with Sam.

Sam Mitchell (2004)

Sam and Andy marry in September 2004, despite Sam's crush Minty Peterson attempting to stop the wedding - he has fallen in love with Sam and knows that Andy is only using her to gain control of the Mitchell assets. Andy fools Sam into signing over control of Phil's house and she is then conned out of all the Mitchell businesses by family lawyer Marcus Christie and Den. Marcus tells Sam that Phil wants her to sell everything and give the cash to him. She does so, selling The Queen Victoria, for a vastly reduced price to Den. Andy, realising Sam is no use to him, throws her out of their house - leaving Sam penniless.

Sam Mitchell 2005
Sam Mitchell (2005)

Sam becomes determined to get revenge on Den. She teams up with his wife Chrissie Watts and their neighbour Zoe Slater to carry out their vengeful plot against Den. The three women confront Den in the Queen Vic shortly after he closes up. At first Den taunts Sam and her unlikely conspirators over their weakness but it soon turns out that Den's adoptive daughter Sharon Watts was overhearing the whole conversation. Shortly after Sharon leaves Walford, Den returns to the Queen Vic and the event takes an unexpected and violent turn. Den suddenly attacks Chrissie and Zoe hits him over the head with an iron doorstop in defence - all the while Sam watches in shock. This is thought to have killed him; however, when Zoe and Sam leave the room, Den grabs Chrissie's ankle and she responds by hitting him on the head a second time - finally killing him. Sam witnesses this and she later grows appalled when Chrissie allows Zoe to believe that her blow killed Den. As Chrissie has possession of the Queen Vic following Den's death, Sam blackmails her - threatening to unveil Chrissie as Den's killer unless she gives her the pub.

Sam is surprised to learn that Andy has died on the same night. She smugly attends his will meeting and expects to receive all his money and assets. She promises to let Pat Evans keep her job at the bookies but inadvertently insults her by offering her cleaning work at the house. Sam is confused, however, when she is told that Andy had created a new will and is later stunned when Andy leaves the house to Pat and the bookies to Dennis Rickman – whilst giving his and Sam's money to a dog's trust. She is further horrified when he leaves her nothing but a wedding ring. As she struggles to move on from Andy and their turbulent marriage, with Minty and his friend Danny Moon comforting her over the situation, Sam learns that Chrissie is attempting to sell the pub and leave Walford. She soon begins drinking heavily and, determined to expose Chrissie as Den's killer, smashes up Den's grave and digs him up.

Unfortunately for her, the plan backfires - all evidence points to Sam, who is charged with murder and remanded in custody. When Peggy returns to the Square and learns about Sam's recent troubles, she visits her and Sam tells Peggy that it was Chrissie who killed Den. In attempting to secure Sam's release and expose Chrissie as Den's killer, Peggy starts a feud with Chrissie and later forms a conflict with Johnny Allen when he and Chrissie build a partnership.

Phil and Grant return to Walford to secure her release. Eventually, with help from Sharon and Dennis - who end up learning the truth about their father's murder – the Mitchells are finally able to prevent Johnny from destroying the videotape of Chrissie confessing Den's murder to her boyfriend, Danny's brother, Jake Moon, the police are given the tape and they end up arresting Chrissie at the airport for Den's murder. Sam is later released from custody; however, she still faces a charge of perverting the course of justice and faces a prison sentence up to four years. This prospect is too daunting for Sam, and she flees to Brazil while on bail in November 2005.

2009-2010: Return, prison sentence and departure

Samantha
Sam Mitchell (2009)

In 2009, Phil sends Ricky to Brazil on an errand where he meets Sam. She returns to London using a fake passport. She immediately causes a stir by drawing attention to herself and reignites her feud with Bianca. The Mitchells try to keep her hidden, but Bianca, jealous of Ricky's renewed feelings for Sam, calls the police. Sam is arrested while trying to flee but is released on bail when Ronnie Mitchell pays the surety. Sam and Ricky get engaged, but Sam has an affair with Jack Branning.

Peggy's estranged husband, Archie Mitchell, uses Sam as a pawn in his plan to destroy the Mitchells. He persuades her to jump bail again and leave the country to escape a prison sentence, so Archie can successfully steal the Queen Vic from Peggy. Sam opts to stay so Archie tells Bianca about Sam and Jack's affair. She tells Ricky and, after a showdown, Ricky ends the engagement. Following this, Sam takes Archie's money and flees, causing the Mitchells to lose the pub. She returns to Walford on Christmas Day 2009, hoping to make amends. On that same day, Archie is murdered and Sam becomes one of the suspects. Phil, Peggy and Ronnie also have motives, and in order to stop the police framing them, they decide Sam should take the blame and leave the country. Sam overhears their plan and furious, turns herself in, implicating Peggy in Archie's murder for revenge. Sam is arrested and sentenced to 18 months in prison. When Peggy attempts to visit, Sam is hostile, rejecting her mother and disowning the Mitchell name.

Sam Mitchell (2010)

Later in 2010, Peggy visits Sam in prison and discovers she is heavily pregnant. Sam does not know if Ricky or Jack is the father and she refuses to reconcile with Peggy; however when she is hospitalised and goes into labour, she reconsiders, requesting Peggy's help. Sam gives birth to a boy, Richard, but announces she is giving him up for adoption. She only reconsiders as a means to reconcile with Ricky; she returns to Walford having completed her prison sentence, but struggles as a parent and relies heavily on Peggy and Minty. Ricky and Jack pester Sam to a get a paternity test, which she eventually does. She lies, claiming Ricky is the father, however Bianca discovers the truth and Sam confesses that she has lied because Ronnie, Jack's girlfriend, asked her to. Ronnie does not want Sam or her baby near Jack. She manipulates Sam into leaving and pays her money to do so. Sam leaves but, fearful of bringing up her baby alone, she seduces Minty, who still loves her, suggesting he goes with her. Minty momentarily accepts, but then realises Sam is merely using him and turns her down. Sam departs with Richard, moving to Portugal to live with Grant.

2016: Return for Peggy Mitchell's funeral and leaving Ricky Mitchell

Sam Mitchell (2016)

Almost six years later, Sam returns to Walford alongside Richard, now nicknamed Ricky, in June 2016, to attend Peggy's funeral. She reveals that Grant is not attending and winds up Sharon about Grant, causing Sharon to reveal that she and Grant had kissed. Jack decides that he wants to see Ricky so Sam drops him at the Brannings. After the funeral, Sam gets drunk and Phil harshly confronts her causing her to leave the pub. Sam reveals to her cousin Roxy Mitchell that she is struggling to look after Ricky and that he is better off with Jack. Sam abandons Ricky at Jack's house and leaves in the back of a taxi.

2022-2024: Return, running Peggy's and final departure

Sam Mitchell (2022)
Sam Mitchell Return, 2022
Sam Mitchell 2022

Sam returns on 18 April 2022, after being phoned by Phil in prison asking her to come back to Walford, Sam meets Phil at the prison to speak to him. It is then revealed that Phil asked Sam to get Ben away from Walford for a while, and find a flat in Spain, but Ben refuses the offer. Phil also asked Sam to look after the Mitchell family businesses while he is away in prison, as he thinks Ben and Kat are not up to it. Sam has a meeting with Jonah, one of Phil's criminal associates, and Sharon and Kat turn up, making Sam confuse herself as Sharon tells Jonah something else to what Phil had told Sam. Jonah then practically scams the Mitchell family, and threatened all 3 that the Mitchell name means nothing, and that Phil's enemies will be after blood.

Ricky Sam reunion

When Sam is reunited with her son Ricky, it is much to the opposition of Jack and Ricky's stepmum, Denise Fox. Realising that she has gotten herself into deep trouble with Jonah and Phil's enemies, she blackmails Jack to make him give protection as a Detective Inspector, using their son, Ricky, as a token to get Jack on side of her own protection.

Sam then discovers that Jonah is planning to buy Ruby Allen's nightclub Ruby's, and she convinces Phil to buy the club with her, however Jonah ends up buying the club when Sam misses a meeting with Ruby's solicitors. Sam then blackmails Denise, and threatens to tell the police that she knew the truth about Vincent Hubbard's death, if she does not pay back the money Phil gave her to open Fox & Hair. After successfully receiving the money, Sam outbuys Jonah and turns the club into Peggy's wine bar, named after her late mother. Sam then fires Vinny Panesar and Dotty Cotton, which Phil disagrees with, so he proceeds to replace Sam with Sharon as bar manager. Sam then attempts to blackmail Sharon by threatening to tell Kat about her secret prison alliance with Phil, if she does not reinstate her back as bar manager. She later has an affair with Sharon's brother Zack Hudson, meaning he is cheating on his girlfriend Nancy Carter.

Mitchell Ladies (28 June 2022)

Upon the opening of Peggy's, Sam, Kat, Sharon and Shirley Carter are held hostage by henchmen who attempt to rob the bar, under the presumption that they have been hired by Jonah. This results in Sam getting shot after saving Kat, though it is later revealed that Sam set up the robbery as revenge. Shirley later discovers what Sam has been up to, and blackmails her for a share of the bar. It is later revealed that Sam is secretly working with Jonah to con her family, however her plans are stalled when Phil is released early from prison. She is forced to pay Jonah back by allowing his henchmen to sell drugs in the bar, leading Zack to unknowingly report one of Jonah's men to the police for dealing drugs in the bar.

Sam confides in Zack and tells him about Jonah's threats. Ben ends up buying drugs from Jonah's dealers and nearly ends up dying via overdosing. Phil that Sam was involved in the deal, and disowns her. Sam tries to reason with Phil to get back on his good side and teams up with Zack to kidnap Ben's rapist Lewis Butler so that Phil can kill him. During the kidnapping, an argument between Phil and Sam breaks out, leading to Phil unknowingly leaving the boot open, allowing Lewis to secretly escape and steal Phil's gun. They chase him into the warehouse Lewis is able to hold them at gunpoint in the warehouse, until Phil attacks him, grabs the gun and is about to shoot him, before he is stopped by Ben. When outside, leaving Ben with Lewis, Sam admits to Phil she hasn’t made an effort with Ricky as she knows she can’t put down roots and can't be there for him, whereas Jack can. She admits she wants to put down roots and be part of the family again, and make an effort for Ricky, however they are interrupted by Ben firing the gun to scare Lewis off. They then go home.

Sam Mitchell (3 October 2022)

Whilst Sam is still being blackmailed by Jonah, Shirley also blackmails her for money, which Sam cannot pay. Shirley threatens to tell Phil about Sam's plan unless Sam pays her by the end of the day. Just as Shirley is about to go to expose Sam, Jonah shows up and also demands money from Sam. Phil sees Jonah confronting Sam and attacks him. Phil becomes suspicious after the altercation with Jonah, leading Shirley to reveal Sam's scheming with Jonah against Phil, causing him to throw Sam out of 55 Victoria Road and she also faces Sharon and Kat when they find out that Sam had been responsible for the siege.

Jack finds out about Sam and offers her one of his flats so that she doesn't leave Ricky again. Sam continues her fling with Zack, however an ex-boyfriend of hers from Spain, Don tracks Sam down and tries to get back with her, leading to him proposing. Sam turns him down and lies that she is pregnant with Zack's child in an attempt to make Don leave. Sam later realises that she wants a serious relationship with Zack but he rejects her. Whilst trying to spend more time with Ricky, Sam sneaks into Jack's house to bribe his half-sister Amy Mitchell to invite her to her birthday party so that she can spend time with Ricky. She accidentally walks in on Amy self-harming and Amy agrees to invite her if she promises not to tell her father, Jack. although she agrees, she later tells Jack.

In December, Sam is reunited with Ricky Butcher, who returned to Walford to see Janine Butcher. Sam initially rejects Ricky after he redevelops feelings for her, but Janine's fiancé Mick Carter persuades her to go on a date with him. Sam later agrees to be Ricky's partner at Mick and Janine's wedding. When Keanu Taylor surprisingly returns to Walford, Sam is, for an unknown reason, hostile towards him. It is later revealed that they were together whilst in Spain. Sam is suspicious of Keanu and follows him to a car-park and sees him meet with Samantha Keeble. She reports this to Phil, but when Phil doesn't take action, Sam lures Keanu to Peggy's and seduces him to try and gain his confession, however Phil catches them and threatens to kill Keanu if he doesn't leave.

Sam Mitchell (2023)

On 1 January 2023, Lily Slater is revealed to be pregnant and she later reluctantly reveals Sam's son, Ricky, as the father, unbeknownst to Sam, who was planning to move to Germany with Ricky Butcher, who proposed to her. When Ricky is told by Sam that she is moving to Germany, he quickly reveals that he is the father of Lily's baby, and Sam immediately tells Jack and Denise. Ricky is initially furious at his mother's portrayal, however he later asks her to stay in Walford, instead of moving away with Ricky Butcher. Ricky is upset when Sam reveals that she cannot go with him to Germany due to her son needing her, so Ricky leaves without her. With Jack and Denise, Sam visit 31 Albert Square and are initially angry at Stacey and Martin for not having Lily's baby terminated, and Stacey responds to them, telling them that Lily has chosen to keep her baby. Jack tries to get Lily to change her mind about keeping the baby, however when Stacey finds out she cuts Sam, Jack, Denise and Ricky off. When Ricky is struggling whilst living with Jack, he decides to move in with Sam.

Episode 6666 (21 March 2023)

After Sam receives a text from the Sexual Health Clinic telling her that one of her previous partners had contracted an STI, she makes an appointment at the clinic which confirms that she has tested negative. Sam later realises that it was Zack who had contracted the STI, which leads him confide is her about his diagnosis of HIV. Sam helps him by researching HIV and encouraging him to collect his antiretroviral medication, reassuring him that HIV is not a stigma anymore.

Episode 6679 (12 April 2023)
Sam Mitchell leaves (13 April 2023)

After receiving news from Don that he is offering for her to manage his new bar in a hotel in Spain, Sam is unsure whether to leave Ricky. However After receiving advice from Honey Mitchell, Sam decides to temporarily take the job in order to support Ricky, Lily and their baby. In May, Sam tells Jack that the hotel staff now need her until the end of summer.

On 21 November 2023 Phil walks past a van, the back door of the van opens and Sam is thrown out by a man. Phil later cleans a cut on Sam's on Sam's face and asks her what she has gotten herself into, Sam tells Phil that she's in trouble from a drug dealer called Camillo who is demanding £100,000 and Sam asks Phil for £100,000. Phil initially refuses to give Sam the money but is later informed by Kat that Camillo is trying to abduct Sam. Phil confronts Camillo with a baseball bat, Camillo agrees to leave Sam alone but demands the £100,000 that she owes him. Phil agrees to pay him and angrily tells Sam that she will be working at Peggy's for free until she pays him back.

Sam Mitchell (2024)
Sam Mitchell (15 January 2024)
Sam Mitchell funeral (15 January 2024)
Sam Mitchell (18 January 2024)

Sam then goes to see Ricky and Charli, Ricky initially doesn't want to see Sam since she left him and didn't keep in touch, although he later let's Sam see Charli but tells her has had his second name changed from Mitchell to Branning. On 10 January 2024 Phil is informed from a phone call that Sal has died, Phil then tells the rest of the Mitchell family. Sam later finds out that Albie is Phil's son and later threatens Zack, telling him that if Phil doesn't see Albie then Sharon will face a custody battle. Zack later tells Phil to get Sam to back off but Phil tells Zack that he didn't know Sam went to see him, Phil later threatens Sam and tells her to stay out of his business. Sam attends Sal's funeral with Phil and they catch up with Sal's husband Harold Martin. At the wake Phil clashes with Alfie and later Sam when she finds out from Harold that Sal has left her, Phil and Grant £100,000. Phil refuses to give her the money because she still owes him money from the Camillo incident, however Sam later blackmails Phil by threatening to tell Kat that he slept with Emma after Alfie told her. Phil confronts Alfie and he tells he slipped up, Phil tells Alfie to tell Sam that he made it up or he will tell Kat that Alfie knew about the affair. Phil gives Sam £33,000 but orders her to leave Walford, Sam agrees but is left furious when Phil compares her to their dad. Sam snaps and walks into the Vic and grabs a microphone, Sam then reveals to Kat and the rest of the customers in the Vic that Phil slept with Emma. Sam leaves Walford after Phil, the Mitchell's and some Walford residents turn on her, however she has a touching farewell with Ricky before departing, Sam mentions to Zack that she's always fancied Canada.

Kill count

Connected murders and deaths

  1. Den Watts (18 February 2005) (association) - Witnessed Chrissie Watts kill Den, Sam then helped Chrissie bury Den's body under the Queen Victoria concrete floor, She would dig his body up months later but Chrissie frames her for the murder.

Attempted murder victims

  1. Lewis Butler (16 August 2022) (by proxy) - Kidnapped Lewis and gave her brother Phil Mitchell a gun and encouraged him to kill Lewis as revenge for raping Ben Mitchell.

Employment history

Occupation Years Active
Barmaid at The Queen Victoria 1995-1996, 1999-2000, 2002-2005
Manageress at Peggy's 2022-2023, 2023-2024

Residence

Address Years
23A Albert Square 1991-1992
Spain 1993-1995, 1997-1999, 2001-2002, 2016-2022, 2023
The Queen Victoria 1995-1996, 1999-2000, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010
3B Albert Square 2002-2003
31 Albert Square 2002-2005
3A Albert Square 2010
55 Victoria Road 2022, 2022-2024
18 Albert Square 2022
5D Albert Square 2023

Background information

  • Danniella Westbrook originally played the role on-off from 1990 to 2000, although ended up being axed due to drug problems in real life. Kim Medcalf was recast in the role in 2002, and played the part until 2005. When Sam returned in 2009, Westbrook returned to the role after nine years, and continued playing Sam in 2010 and 2016. In January 2022, it was announced that Medcalf would again be taking the role over from Westbrook.
  • It has been implied that Sam moved to Canada when she left Walford in 2024 after a line to Zack Hudson "I always fancied Canada."

Quotes

To Zack Hudson (when leaving in 2024): "Right, free drinks. Rest of the night. See you later." (18 January 2024)

See also

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