This week saw EastEnders air a special episode detailing Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) time in the mental health unit, and fans have been blown away by the emotional scenes.
To begin with, Phil struggled to engage with the people around him, and kept himself to himself, just waiting for his medication to kick in.
However, when he met fellow patient Gaz (Keith Allen), things began to change, as he started to open up.
During their conversations, Gaz would point out how many people cared about Phil, though Phil was still reluctant to contact his family and allow them to see him so vulnerable.
The turning point for Phil came when he found Gaz in a bad way after hurting himself, and after a chat with one of the staff members, he realised that he had a reason to get better.
At that point, he began engaging in the support groups available, opening up about how he was feeling and receiving support from those around him.
After a month in the mental health unit, Phil discharged himself and had an emotional reunion with his family and friends.
Metro readers were full of praise for the ‘excellent’ episode, taking to Facebook to share their thoughts.
‘This episode was emotional, brilliantly acted and brought me to tears! Steve deserves an award for his portrayal of a man with mental health issues. Absolutely fantastic!’ Linda gushed.
‘Such an emotional episode, Steve has done an excellent job once again!! He becomes his character and lets us see all the pieces that make our Phil who he is. Award winning performance!!’ Dee agreed.
‘Excellent episode, well done to all concerned,’ Bryan added, while Bridget wrote: ‘I was so upset but good acting.’
Metro’s Soaps Editor Duncan Lindsay says…
Steve McFadden is not just one of EastEnders’ finest actors – he’s one of the best in Britain by a long chalk.
Steve has always played menacing yet vulnerable, angry yet funny incredibly well.
He is a well deserved stalwart of the show and Walford is unimaginable without him.
It’s never been in doubt already that he shatters the stereotypical skepticism and snobbery around soap actors.
Steve has now shown Phil’s most vulnerable sides of all time with the ongoing mental health storyline.
I, like many others, have been there. Steve, whether through personal knowledge or extensive research, captured that bleakness perfectly.
Like actors in the UK given far, far more acclaim, he is hypnotic with every word he delivers and every physical gesture he makes.
Amid snobbery towards soaps, there are many examples of shining stars, some who remain with the shows and some who go on to other things.
But soap isn’t just a training ground for actors who then flourish elsewhere, it’s a home of some absolutely incredible performances.
Steve McFadden is the ultimate testament to that.
Fans also took to Twitter/X to enthuse about the episode, with one writing: ‘What an episode, Steve McFadden & Keith Allen were so convincing as was Natasha Patel (care worker) and the scene at the end between Nigel & Phil was perfect. Well done all.’
‘Just finished Phil’s episode of eastenders and I am just in awe of this man. He genuinely is one of the best actors, and his portrayal of this storyline is just phenomenal,’ another said.
‘This Phil episode was so well done. Steve McFadden shining yet again, and a great cameo from Keith Allen. Those heart-wrenching scenes between Phil and the care worker, Yasmin, were so real,’ a third agreed.
