Kim Medcalf
Medcalf in 2022
Born
Kim Louise Medcalf[1]

(1973-12-08) 8 December 1973 (age 50)
Bromley, London, England
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
  • model
Years active2001–present
Known forRole of Sam Mitchell in EastEnders
Television
Children2

Kim Louise Medcalf (born 8 December 1973)[2] is an English actress and singer. She is known for portraying the role of Sam Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders on and off between 2002 and 2024.

Career

EastEnders

In late 2001, Medcalf took over the role of Sam Mitchell from recovering-addict Danniella Westbrook.[3] She filmed her first scenes with Barbara Windsor in Spain, which aired on 29 January 2002. She won the best newcomer award at The National Television Awards in 2002 and was nominated for the sexiest female award at The British Soap Awards in 2003. Medcalf opted to leave EastEnders in 2005 along with co-star Michelle Ryan, who played Zoe Slater.[4] Medcalf's final scenes were filmed on 22 September 2005 and screened in November of that year. Her character escaped imprisonment as an accessory to the murder of Den Watts and departed Walford to join her brother, Grant Mitchell, in Brazil. Her final scenes aired on 17 November 2005.[5] In 2009, producer Diederick Santer opted to bring back Westbrook for a short storyline later that year.[6]

On 29 January 2022, it was announced that Medcalf would reprise the role of Sam after nearly 17 years, taking over from Westbrook once again.[3][7] She filmed her return scenes in February 2022.[8] Her return scenes aired in the United Kingdom on 18 April 2022.[9] Medcalf took an extended break in April 2023, with her return aired on 21 November.[10] She departed the role once again on screen on 18 January 2024.

Other work

Medcalf's post-EastEnders work included a role in a dramatic staged reading of The Penelopiad directed by Phyllida Lloyd at St James's Church, Piccadilly on 23 October 2005, appearances for Children in Need on 18 November 2005 and in South Pacific at the Symphony Hall on 29 & 30 November 2005.[11][12] In Spring 2006, she undertook a four-month run in the revival of Hay Fever at the Theatre Royal Haymarket alongside Judi Dench.[13]

Medcalf was the host of the Mitchells Weekend on the UKTV Gold network.[14] On 23 January 2007, she appeared in an episode of BBC's The Afternoon Play called Death Becomes Him.[15] In February and March 2007, Medcalf appeared as the "guest star" in a short UK tour of the West end hit The Play What I Wrote.[16] On 2 April 2007, Medcalf took over the role of Sally Bowles from Anna Maxwell Martin in Rufus Norris' revival of Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre in the West End.[17]

From 25 February until 1 March 2008, Medcalf appeared in a run of The Vagina Monologues at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, alongside Sue Holderness and Shobna Gulati.[18] In March 2008, she appeared in an episode of The Fixer for ITV1, and then played a lead role in Harley Street, a primetime series for ITV1.[17] In early 2009, she returned to The Vagina Monologues, this time in Nottingham,[18]

Medcalf appeared in two episodes of BBC One drama Missing in 2010. Medcalf made her London stage return in 2015 when she appeared in Ruby in the Dust's production of Gatsby.[19] Medcalf appeared in three episodes of BBC Two drama Collateral written by David Hare in 2018.[20]

Singing

Medcalf is a mezzo-soprano. In 2003, she showcased her singing ability during the EastEnders Christmas Party TV special, where she sang "All I Want For Christmas Is You". Medcalf was invited to join the students of the 2005 Comic Relief does Fame Academy. She performed songs including "Don't Know Why" and "Perfect". The judges initially struggled with her performances but eventually she prevailed; helped by a performance of Delta Goodrem's "Born to Try" Medcalf finished in second place behind Radio One's Edith Bowman.[21]

On 11 September 2005, Medcalf performed at London's Hyde Park when she took part in the BBC Family Prom; performing "Over the Rainbow" accompanied by the BBC Orchestra. On 16 July 2006, she sang at Love letter to Dan, a Gala tribute to Dan Crawford, the late founder of the King's Head Theatre.[22]

Personal life

Medcalf is married and has two children.[23]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2002–2005, 2022–2024 EastEnders Sam Mitchell Regular role; 509 episodes
2002–2005 EastEnders Revealed Herself Interviewee; 13 episodes
2002 Sport Relief Television special
2003 Comic Relief 2003: The Big Hair Do Sam Mitchell
2005 Comic Relief Does Fame Academy Herself Series 2 contestant; 2nd place
2007 The Afternoon Play Laura Manning Episode: "Death Becomes Him"
2008 The Fixer Caroline Risdale Series 1: Episode 1
Harley Street Nurse Annie Harke Main role; 6 episodes
2010 Missing Adele Scott Episode: "Two of the Same"
2018 Collateral Suki Vincent Recurring role; 3 episodes

Stage

Year Title Role Notes
2001 One Touch of Venus Venus Kings Head Theatre
2005 South Pacific Ensign Nellie Forbrush Symphony Hall, Birmingham
2006 Cabaret Sally Bowles Lyric Theatre, London
Hay Fever Clara Theatre Royal Haymarket
2008–2009 The Vagina Monologues Various Various
2011 Crazy for You Irene Roth Various
2015 The Great Gatsby Myrtle Wilson Arts Theatre, London

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2002 8th National Television Awards Most Popular Newcomer Won [24]
2003 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female Nominated [25]

References

  1. ^ "Kim Louise MEDCALF". gov.uk. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Kim Medcalf. Biography, news, photos and videos". hellomagazine.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Kim Medcalf". BBC Eastenders. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  4. ^ "Medcalf and Ryan quitting 'EastEnders'?". Digital Spy. 29 January 2005. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Medcalf speaks about quitting 'Enders". Digital Spy. 20 March 2005. Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  6. ^ "The original Mitchell sister to return". bbc.co.uk. 7 April 2009. Archived from the original on 3 April 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  7. ^ "EastEnders confirms comeback for Sam Mitchell as Kim Medcalf reprises role". Digital Spy. 29 January 2022. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  8. ^ "EastEnders first look as star returns as Sam amid Danniella Westbrook row". 8 February 2022. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  9. ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 19/04/2022". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  10. ^ Denby, Laura (13 April 2023). "Has EastEnders fan-favourite left for good after exit in early iPlayer release?". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Curtis Brown". www.curtisbrown.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  12. ^ Magliocco, Sarah (11 February 2022). "Kim Medcalf's life away from EastEnders as she reprises Sam Mitchell role". RSVP Live. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  13. ^ "BBC - London - Entertainment - First night: Hay Fever". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 May 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  14. ^ Wilkes, Neil (3 March 2006). "Kim Medcalf to host 'EastEnders' special". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  15. ^ ""The Afternoon Play" Death Becomes Him (TV Episode 2007) - IMDb". Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2022 – via m.imdb.com.
  16. ^ "Curtis Brown". www.curtisbrown.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  17. ^ a b "On the Couch with Dr Hillary.... Kim Medcalf". Fabulous Magazine. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  18. ^ a b "The Vagina Monologues: Ex-EastEnder Kim Medcalf". This Is Nottingham. 29 January 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  19. ^ "Official London Theatre – Theatre Tickets, News & Guides". Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  20. ^ "Collateral spoilers: Fans spot VERY familiar EastEnders face amid brutal drama – did you?". 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  21. ^ "Comic Relief Does Fame Academy – Kim Medcalf profile". Manchester Evening News. 19 February 2007. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  22. ^ Anderson, Alana (9 March 2018). "All the details on former EastEnders actress Kim Medcalf career after BBC departure". OK! Magazine. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  23. ^ "EastEnders spoilers - Kim Medcalf on Sam Mitchell's return story". Digital Spy. 11 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Ant and Dec win trio of TV awards". BBC News. 15 October 2002. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  25. ^ "The British Soap Awards 2003". Celebrities Worldwide. 10 May 2003. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2013.

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