There’s seemingly nothing soap fans love more than a return, and EastEnders viewers are in for an early Christmas present this year when undisputed Walford icon, Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) returns for a short stint next month.

Though much speculation had arisen last month when fan-shot drone footage emerged from the Elstree Studio set that appeared to show Sam back on the square, there’d been no official word of her return until yesterday, when the official EastEnders Instagram account posted confirmation that she’d be back.

‘It’s such a joy to be asked to come back to EastEnders, especially as it’s the festive period and you know there will always be plenty of fireworks,’ Kim was quoted. ‘I love the character of Sam, she always causes drama wherever she goes, but she also has that vulnerable side too, which is great to play. It’s also lovely being back on set with the fantastic cast and to see old friends and new faces.’

‘Enders boss, Ben Wadey, added: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Kim Medcalf back to EastEnders for a short stint later this year. It’s no secret that wherever Sam Mitchell goes, drama inevitably follows, and with ex-accomplice Zoe Slater back in the Square, only time will tell if there is space for forgiveness between the pair, or whether battle lines will be drawn.’

‘Enders fans are buzzing

Fans flooded the comment section of the post with excitement, with one posting: ‘1 episode or 100 episodes, it’s just great to have Kim back as Sam!’ and another adding: ‘I’m so excited to see Kim Medcalf back!’.

Many commenters called for a more permanent return, with one posting: ‘Long stint only please’, another adding: ‘Brilliant she is fantastic! need her permanently’, a third saying: ‘Please bring Sam back full time she is great!!!!’, while a forth typed: ‘Get her back for a long stint!!’

Kim later took to her X (formerly Twitter), to share her own excitement over reprising her role, courting further comments from excited viewers.

Rich replied to Kim with ‘Welcome home!! We’d LOVE a full-time return as Sam!’, while Owen added: ‘Welcome back Kim!! Shame it’s for a short stint… but I’ll take anything to have new scenes of you and Michelle (Zoe) together!!’

Co-conspirators reunited

Owen’s comment highlights that, for the first time, a Sam return will see her crossing with Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), who she was locked in a dark murder-pact with some twenty years ago. The duo, alongside Chrissy Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) oversaw the demise of Dirty Den Watts (Leslie Grantham).

Long-time fans of the BBC serial will remember when Den’s wife Chrissie, teamed up with Sam and Zoe, each having been screwed over and tormented by the nefarious landlord, to bring him down.

When the ensuing confrontation turned violent, Zoe struck Den with Pauline Fowler’s (Wendy Richard) dog-shaped door stop. Believing Den dead and with a frantic Zoe in another room, only Sam saw Den re-awaken and grab Chrissie, who finished him off with another blow from the deadly doggy.

Both Sam and Chrissie allowed Zoe to believe she’d dealt the final strike, with Sam using the information to blackmail her co-conspirator to hand the Queen Vic over to her.

Kim and Michelle previously shared a sweet snap of them together, enjoying a pre-Christmas catch up last year, months before Zoe’s return to Albert Square was announced.

Sam’s last stint

Sam’s last stint came to an end in 2024, and saw her firmly at odds with big brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), after she publicly announced his infidelity upon learning that he planned to keep her share of Aunt Sal’s (Anna Karen) inheritance.

Speaking on the almighty rift between brother and sister, Kim said at the time: ‘I think it’s feasible that there could come a point in the future where Phil admits that Sam might have been wrong in how she did it, but the situation was all caused by his error.

‘Sam didn’t make up the fact he slept with Emma – she just exposed him and his deceit. So, if I’m being positive, I believe there is potential for them to repair things. The Mitchells are a family who go through a lot and are used to this drama between them.