Prepare for a seismic event in Walford as legendary hardman Grant Mitchell makes a dramatic return, only to be plunged into a whirlwind of violence, forbidden desires, and emotional turmoil that leaves him, and potentially the entire Square, utterly “fried.” While actor Ross Kemp is no stranger to intense storylines during his intermittent reappearances as the iconic Grant, this latest stint promises to be a particularly volatile and chaotic affair, pushing the boundaries of even his notoriously action-packed history.

Grant Mitchell, a figure synonymous with the raw, unfiltered drama of EastEnders from 1990 to 1999, has always been a catalyst for explosive narratives whenever he graces Walford with his presence. From his involvement in the infamous “Sharongate” scandal to his various criminal enterprises and fierce loyalty to his family, Grant has never been one to simply observe from the sidelines. His sporadic returns over the years, including his poignant appearance during his mother Peggy Mitchell’s final days in 2016, have consistently injected a shot of adrenaline into the BBC soap.

This latest return finds Grant arriving amidst the ongoing mental health struggles of his brother, Phil Mitchell. Initially, his presence seems to be one of concern and familial support, a familiar dynamic between the two Mitchell brothers, albeit one often tinged with their characteristic friction. However, the narrative quickly escalates, intertwining Grant’s arrival with the dramatic lead-up to the 40th-anniversary episode, which saw Phil teetering on the brink of taking his own life.

But Grant’s return is far from solely focused on his brother’s plight. True to his complex and often contradictory nature, Grant finds himself embroiled in a passionate entanglement with his former flame, the iconic Sharon Watts. This rekindled connection occurs despite Sharon’s current relationship with Teddy, who, in a shocking twist of Walford’s tangled family tree, has recently been revealed to be their cousin. This forbidden lust adds a layer of intense personal conflict and potential betrayal to Grant’s already fraught situation, promising dramatic confrontations and emotional fallout.

Adding to the emotional weight of his return, Grant is also confronted with the devastating news of his friend Nigel Bates’s young onset dementia diagnosis. This revelation, coupled with Phil’s mental health crisis and his complicated feelings for Sharon, creates a perfect storm of emotional turmoil for Grant, forcing him to confront his own vulnerabilities and the fragility of life.

Speaking to Radio Times, Ross Kemp himself hinted at the intense emotional toll of this storyline, stating that he felt “slightly fried” after filming. He succinctly summarized the chaotic nature of Grant’s return, revealing, “Grant comes back and within a minute he’s fighting, he’s crying, he’s making love, then he’s crying about it, then he’s fighting again. He’s never just sat in the lingerette.”

Kemp’s words paint a vivid picture of a Grant Mitchell operating at his most extreme, a man thrown headfirst into a maelstrom of intense emotions and high-stakes situations. He further teased the explosive nature of his return by describing his very first scene in the anniversary episode: “The first scene in the anniversary was me breaking into the Arches and wrestling a Beretta 9 mm off my brother. So it wasn’t like going to the cafe and saying ‘Can I have a bacon roll please?’”

This revelation of a gunfight in the Arches within minutes of Grant’s reappearance sets the tone for a truly unhinged and action-packed storyline. The image of Grant wrestling a firearm from his own brother underscores the level of desperation and danger that permeates his return. It suggests that Grant’s attempts to help Phil might quickly devolve into violence, or that his own volatile nature will inevitably lead to conflict.

The title of this spoiler, “GRANT MITCHELL UNHINGED! EastEnders Return Ends in Gunfight, Lust & Breakdown,” accurately encapsulates the promised chaos. The “gunfight” in the Arches is just the tip of the iceberg, hinting at further violent confrontations and high-stakes scenarios. The “lust” for Sharon promises a tangled web of romance, betrayal, and potential heartbreak, further complicating the already fragile dynamics between the Mitchell brothers and their extended family.

Perhaps most significantly, the mention of a “breakdown” suggests that the cumulative emotional weight of Phil’s struggles, Nigel’s diagnosis, and his illicit desires for Sharon will push Grant to his breaking point. A man as outwardly tough and resilient as Grant facing a “breakdown” would be a powerful and potentially devastating development, revealing a vulnerability that has often been masked by his aggressive exterior.

This return promises to strip away the layers of the iconic hardman, exposing the raw emotions and inner turmoil beneath. The intensity described by Ross Kemp suggests a storyline that will leave both Grant and the viewers emotionally exhausted. The combination of high-octane action, forbidden romance, and profound emotional distress points towards a truly unforgettable and chaotic chapter in Grant Mitchell’s EastEnders legacy.

While Ross Kemp expressed his delight at reprising the fan-favorite role, joking about still fitting into his leather jacket, the narrative he teases suggests a far darker and more turbulent journey for Grant this time around. This isn’t a nostalgic stroll down memory lane; it’s a descent into the heart of Mitchell family drama at its most raw and explosive. Prepare for Grant Mitchell unhinged, a force of nature unleashed upon Walford, leaving a trail of destruction, desire, and emotional wreckage in his wake. This return promises to be anything but a quiet affair, cementing Grant’s status as a true agent of chaos in the East End.