EastEnders Star Steve McFadden Admits Playing Phil Mitchell “Is Hard Graft”
Veteran actor Steve McFadden, known for his iconic role as Phil Mitchell on EastEnders, has opened up about the demanding nature of working on the long-running BBC soap. After 35 years on the Square, McFadden admits that the work is often grueling, with storylines that push him to his limits.
Dark Storylines Take Their Toll
Over the past year, McFadden has faced some of his toughest storylines yet. His character Phil has battled severe depression, experienced psychotic episodes, and even attempted suicide. Filming these emotionally heavy plots has left McFadden feeling drained.
“Working on EastEnders is hard work,” he said. “The past 35 years have been tough. But the past year has been particularly hard. It’s really hard graft. A lot of it is quite dark. When I do panto, that’s fun. But EastEnders isn’t.”
Going to the Edge for the Role
Despite the challenges, McFadden embraces the intensity, understanding that the writers and directors want him to push boundaries.
“They want us to graft and go to the edge. They got the most they could out of me,” he said.
Fans have praised McFadden’s performance, particularly for raising awareness around mental health issues. The actor finds that this viewer recognition makes the tough filming worthwhile.
“It’s very gratifying to hear from viewers. It validates what we do. The storyline has touched people and it’s great to be able to reach out to people that don’t have a voice. They can feel connected to the show,” he explained.
Support from Co-Stars
McFadden credits his co-star Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater, with helping him manage the emotional demands of filming.
“If it wasn’t for people like Jessie, I wouldn’t be standing here today. I’m lucky. I still feel lucky to be on the show. I love it,” he said.
More Challenges Ahead
Fans shouldn’t expect a break for Phil anytime soon. McFadden revealed that more dark storylines are on the horizon, with the upcoming Christmas episodes likely to be especially intense.
“My mate told me, ‘I hope you win the award because it’ll show them you’ve finally got the hang of it after 35 years’. I’m very happy. I’m absolutely over the moon,” he said, referring to his recent win for Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards.