Ross Kemp is stepping back into the role of Grant Mitchell for a multi-episode return to EastEnders, reuniting family and confronting a sensitive dementia plot that resonates with him personally.
Ross Kemp is coming back to Albert Square — and with him returns Grant Mitchell, one of EastEnders’ most explosive presences. The actor is set for a substantial run that pushes two emotionally charged storylines: a fraught attempt to rebuild ties with his estranged son, and a sensitive, long-running dementia arc centred on a close friend.
Why Grant is back
Grant’s return is prompted by unresolved family business and a plea to help an old friend as their health declines. Producers promise episodes driven by character and consequence rather than quick fixes, with tensions that ripple across the Square and force long-standing relationships to be re-evaluated.
A son’s call — and a meeting years in the making
The prompt for Grant’s reappearance is a direct phone call from Mark Fowler Jnr — the first substantial on-screen reunion since Mark discovered the truth about his parentage. Expect an emotionally raw encounter that dredges up identity questions, anger, regret and the heavy weight of past choices.
The writers appear determined to let reconciliation happen slowly, through messy, honest exchanges rather than easy apologies.
Portraying dementia with care
One of the central threads follows Nigel Bates as dementia progresses. The production team says it has worked with clinical advisers and relevant charities to avoid turning the condition into mere dramatisation. Their goal is clear: show the everyday realities — the small adjustments, the strain on informal carers, the decision points friends and family face — while steering away from melodrama.
Kemp has spoken about why this material matters to him. His documentary work and personal experiences have influenced his approach, and he’s expressed a commitment to portraying the illness respectfully and realistically.
Why accuracy matters
Dramatising serious health issues comes with responsibility. Broadcasters and creators face scrutiny from audiences and regulators alike; inaccurate or sensationalised depictions can mislead viewers and harm those affected in real life. To reduce that risk, the production has involved clinicians and advocacy groups during scripting and rehearsals, aiming for scenes that resonate authentically without compromising dramatic tension.
Ross Kemp and Grant Mitchell — a short history
Kemp first brought Grant Mitchell to the screen in 1990 and the character quickly became central to the Mitchell family narrative. Kemp has left and returned to the soap several times, and his off-screen career — in investigative documentaries and as a presenter — has given him experience handling weightier material. That background appears to inform his interest in tackling the show’s tougher, more nuanced storylines now.
Production notes and what to expect
Filming is underway and the episodes are due to air this spring on BBC One and iPlayer. Producers say the emphasis will be on consequence over neat closure: viewers should anticipate confrontations, quieter reckonings, and the kind of small, telling moments that linger after a scene ends. The creative team’s collaboration with subject-matter experts is intended to keep the drama grounded and to protect vulnerable audiences from misleading representations.
What this might mean for viewers
When Grant walks back into the Square, familiar alliances will be tested and old disputes will resurface. But alongside the soap-opera confrontations, the dementia storyline promises to slow the pace at times, letting the everyday impacts of the condition register — on friendships, family dynamics and the people who provide hands-on care. The aim is emotional truth: neither tidy resolutions nor exploitative spectacle, but a portrait of consequences and the hard work of trying to make amends.
