EastEnders has thrilled fans once again with a special flashback episode that transported viewers to the early days of Walford, exploring the formative years of two of the Square’s most iconic figures: Phil and Grant Mitchell. Airing recently on BBC iPlayer, this episode masterfully blended nostalgia, drama, and family history, highlighting the complexity behind characters who have long defined EastEnders’ landscape.

Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Mitchell brothers were Daniel Delaney and Teddy J, who portrayed young Phil and Grant with remarkable precision. Their performances were widely praised for not only capturing the physical likeness and mannerisms of Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp but also for imbuing the roles with nuanced emotional depth. For longtime fans, seeing these two actors breathe life into Phil and Grant’s earlier years provided a rare glimpse into the experiences that shaped the Mitchell brothers into the hardened, complex figures viewers have followed for decades.

The episode centered on Nigel Bates, played by Paul Bradley, whose journey with dementia has been a central plotline over the past year. As Nigel screened a personal film he had created, he retreated to the Queen Vic for reflection, only to find his memories and reality blurring. This narrative device allowed the audience to journey alongside Nigel into the Walford of the 1990s, where past and present collided in moments both poignant and unsettling.

As Nigel navigated these fragmented memories, he encountered familiar faces from his past: the indomitable Pat Butcher, her stepson Barry, and Barry’s late wife Debbie, who tragically passed in 1995. But the most emotionally resonant moments came with the appearance of the Young Mitchell brothers, brought to life by Delaney and Teddy. Their performances struck a balance between authenticity and insight, showing the brothers as more than the archetypal tough guys. Instead, viewers saw vulnerable, formative young men whose choices, pressures, and environment would ultimately shape the iconic personas seen in later decades.

Daniel Delaney, 28, portrays young Phil Mitchell with uncanny precision. His physicality and vocal delivery mirror Steve McFadden’s signature style, capturing Phil’s complex mix of bravado, sensitivity, and ambition. Delaney’s career has been marked by diverse roles, including appearances in the BAFTA-winning comedy Lady Parts, the short film Times Sensational CMI, and voice work for the 2019 Elton John biopic Rocketman. He has also featured in a Sam Fender music video and commercials for Gumtree, Uber Eats, and Amazon Prime Video. Trained in theatre arts at St. Mary’s University Twickenham and with additional studies at the Arnold School of Dance and Drama, Delaney’s craft shines in his ability to bring Phil’s teenage years to life while hinting at the hardened character he would become.

Reflecting on his role, Delaney commented, “Everyone knows Phil as Mr. Macho, a feared gangster, but it’s his journey from a teenage boy that shaped him. Exploring his story during Britain’s late-1970s economic hardship is crucial. This period of his life defines his resilience, loyalty, and the choices that ultimately led him to become the man viewers know today.” His performance highlights the softer, formative moments behind Phil’s tough exterior, offering fans insight into the experiences that molded him.

Meanwhile, Teddy J delivers a compelling portrayal of young Grant Mitchell, complementing Delaney’s Phil with intensity and nuance. Trained at Rose Bruford College, Teddy has a strong stage background, having performed in productions such as Tibultt and Mushio. His television debut in the 2022 Mitchell flashback episode was widely praised, and his recent appearance continues to reinforce his skill at balancing Grant’s emerging toughness with early vulnerability. Teddy’s upcoming role as Jack Steel in the Aaron Taylor-Johnson crime thriller Fooer is highly anticipated, marking his growing profile in the industry.

Together, Delaney and Teddy breathe life into the Mitchell family saga, emphasizing how early relationships, sibling dynamics, and societal pressures contributed to the brothers’ evolution. Their interactions in the flashback highlight the rivalry, loyalty, and occasional tenderness that define the Mitchell dynamic, giving viewers an enriched understanding of why Phil and Grant operate as they do in the present-day storylines. By humanizing these legendary characters, the actors offer a layered, emotionally resonant narrative that transcends mere nostalgia.

This flashback episode is particularly significant within the context of EastEnders’ broader storytelling. By juxtaposing Nigel’s struggle with dementia against the younger Mitchells’ experiences, the series underscores the impact of memory, identity, and the passage of time. Viewers are reminded that even the Square’s toughest figures were once young, impressionable, and shaped by circumstances beyond their control. This narrative choice adds depth to the Mitchells’ established personas, showing the pressures that forged their loyalty, aggression, and moral complexity.

Fans have lauded the performances on social media, noting that Delaney and Teddy’s portrayals avoid caricature, instead offering insight into the formative events that led to Phil and Grant’s well-known behavior. The episode also offers context for viewers who may have questioned certain character decisions in prior storylines, demonstrating that even the most formidable figures have histories filled with struggle, choice, and defining moments that reverberate decades later.

Critics have highlighted how the flashback’s emotional resonance is amplified by the return of other key figures from the 1990s. Paul Bradley’s Nigel provides an emotional anchor, with his interactions underscoring the fragility of memory and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia. The inclusion of Pat, Barry, and Debbie allows for additional layers of relational dynamics, emphasizing the interconnected nature of the Square and the long-lasting impact of past choices.

Daniel Delaney and Teddy J’s return earlier this year for Phil’s mental health storyline during EastEnders’ 40th anniversary celebrations further cemented their importance in exploring the Mitchell legacy. Their performances demonstrate that these flashbacks are not mere exercises in nostalgia but crucial storytelling devices that reveal motivations, vulnerabilities, and formative influences that shape the present.

Beyond character exploration, the episode also functions as a commentary on the social and economic climate of late-20th-century Britain. By situating the Mitchells’ adolescent years within the broader context of Britain’s economic challenges, EastEnders deepens its narrative, allowing viewers to understand the external pressures that compounded the brothers’ personal struggles. This careful attention to historical detail adds authenticity and resonance, reminding audiences that the Mitchell brothers’ story is not just one of personal conflict but also of societal forces and cultural change.

For fans, the episode is a reminder that the Mitchells’ story remains central to Walford’s ongoing drama. The younger portrayals highlight that family, loyalty, and legacy are at the heart of the Mitchell narrative. By revisiting their past, EastEnders reinforces the idea that understanding the present requires acknowledging the formative experiences that shaped its characters.

In summary, this flashback episode featuring Daniel Delaney and Teddy J as young Phil and Grant Mitchell stands as a masterclass in soap storytelling. It blends nostalgia, emotional resonance, and complex characterization, reminding viewers that the Square’s legendary figures were once shaped by vulnerability, choice, and circumstance. For EastEnders fans, witnessing the early years of the Mitchell brothers is not only a thrilling trip down memory lane but also a compelling examination of how history, family, and personal struggle converge to create the characters viewers love—or fear—today.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One, with episodes available on BBC iPlayer from 6:00 a.m. ahead of television broadcast. Fans are encouraged to catch up on this special flashback episode to fully appreciate the rich legacy of the Mitchell family and the intricate storytelling that continues to define Albert Square.