In every soap opera, or indeed any drama in general, a key part of the writing is to have a character that is usually completely ordinary compared to everyone else. They usually try their best to fit in with the rest of the locals in their locales, but try as they might, these everyday ‘everyman’ characters always seem to stay on the outside no matter what: the people who were more than likely working and living everyday just like us. EastEnders has had several of these over the years, but none has made an impact like Billy Mitchell.
When Phil Mitchell went to visit his cousin Billy to offer condolences on his brother Charlie’s death and to check on his Godson Jamie, he was not amused. On the 2nd November 1998, Phil discovered that Billy had been hitting Jamie and, sending Billy away with a hiding, took Jamie with him to Albert Square, where all the girls began to swoon.
YOU’VE BEEN HIT BY A SMOOTH CRIMINAL?
Of course, Jamie wasn’t the end of the story. Billy started hanging around Walford like a bad smell. He received short shrift from the Mitchell clan: he was a loser and the runt of the litter before the alcohol and the abuse. Nope, Billy was on the outside looking in at the great Mitchell empire and they treated him like it.
Of course, whenever a dodgy package needed delivering or they needed a patsy just in case, Grant and Phil found a use for Billy. They used him frequently for their own ends, offering him a sense of importance and brutally snatching it away – welcoming him in when he succeeded, quick to treat him as something they’d stepped in when he failed. Eventually he had enough and Billy began to embroil himself into the seedier side of the East End, working for small time wannabe-gangsters like Steve Owen and Dan Sullivan. Billy often played both sides against the other: after all, he was a Mitchell as well, always entitled to something they couldn’t have, even it was a sense of self-importance.
In the end the constant fraud, theft and deception became too much when Dan blackmailed Billy over Phil and Steve’s illegal connections. Wanting revenge for being set up for Phil’s shooting, Dan kidnapped Melanie Owen, leaving Billy in a rather precarious position when she torched his workplace. Eventually more dodgy work followed for the likes of Andy Hunter and Derek Branning, but Billy is smarter than he looks – he’s survived them all!
THE MR. DARCY OF WALFORD?
One commonly-used drama trope involves a patient and unconditionally loving person (often a woman) helping the villain (usually a man) find redemption. Another approach is having a good character with a similar traumatic background relate to the villain. By understanding their pain, the good character helps the villain find a different path.
The focus is on the villain’s past and the events that shaped them. The “redeemer” provides empathy and understanding, allowing the villain to reconsider their choices. Billy’s journey toward redemption is driven by his own efforts, self-reflection, and growth. Whether through self-awareness or external support, he actively works to become a better person.
It’s often the romances in Billy’s life that have offered him family and support that the Mitchells do not.
When Billy met Little Maureen Morgan he was smitten, but she was married to abuser Trevor Morgan and came with a gaggle of squabbling Slaters to boot! But they stole their moments, and he was desperate to get her away from Trevor, not to sweep in and save the damsel, but because he genuinely cared for Little Mo. When she attacked Trevor with an iron and served time in prison, he waited for her. Finally, after much trauma, the pair wed on Christmas Day 2002, with nephew Jamie’s blessing, having long last made his peace with Billy.
Alas the good times were not to last. Mo found herself the victim of rapist Graham Foster and despite desperately supporting his wife, Billy found himself in a quandary when Mo found herself pregnant with her attacker’s child. Billy tried, bless him, but in the end all he could see in Freddie’s eyes were his father’s and Little Mo left Billy behind.
Later on, the eccentric Honey stepped onto the scene, and in their dotty natures, the pair found themselves two peas in a pod. It took them three attempts to get married mind you, with baby number one, Janet, interrupting the first and baby number two Will interrupting the third attempt. The less said about the disaster that was attempt two the better.
Their major challenge came when Janet was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. The parents understandably reacted differently, with Honey determined to have Janet adopted, with Billy resolute that they could handle any issues. Eventually, the pair continued, and Janet and William were both welcomed by the two. Billy finally had his happy ever after…
BATES AND BROWN
Teaming up with dodgy geezer Jase Dyer was never going to end well but determined to get some extra readies for his family, Billy went along with Jase’s plan to fleece his old mucker, gangster Terry Bates. Terry understandably did not take this the right way, and spent months interrupting things, including William’s birth when he raided the Vic with his thugs. Eventually they cornered Jase, but Billy hid and heard Terry and his thugs beat and eventually murder Jase. Crippled with guilt, Billy hid the money and, seen as a hero by Jase’s orphan son Jay Brown, took the youngster (and the stolen cash) and set up shop, adding Jay to his clan. Unfortunately, Honey (always Jase’s biggest fan) discovered the cash and that was that: Honey had been lied to too many times and she was gone, children and all, leaving Billy and Jay to fall on each other and build a rather unlikely father and son bond. But there was one bright moment: Billy was selected to carry the 2012 Olympic Torch through Walford – which actor Perry Fenwick carried with pride in a special life segment as the flame made its way to the opening ceremony!
HER NAME WAS LOLA…
A brief reunion with an ex from his foster home, led Billy to his past: he had had a son with Julie Perkins in his teenage years. Unfortunately, he had since passed away, but had left something behind: a feisty little blonde named Lola Pearce.
Lola soon ended up with Billy and Julie and was doted on by her newfound grandfather. Julie couldn’t handle it and fled, which suited Lola, since she wanted her Pops all to herself. Within a year, Lola was the missing piece for Billy. He changed his life, stepped up to the plate again and supported Lola, and later her daughter Lexi. They became an intrinsic part of his life. Even after she moved away, Lola eventually found her way home, not just to Billy, but to Jay as well. The pair married and, tragically, Lola died shortly afterwards from a brain tumour. A little bit of Billy died that day.
Since then, though, things may be looking up: Honey had returned a few years before and it wasn’t long before she was back where she belonged, organising the market and Billy in her own imitable way, keeping Phil calm and becoming a true Mitchell Matriarch. Remarkably, Billy now has more family than Phil on the Square. It’s only recently that his father Stevie arrived and departed the Square and has left a half-brother (Teddy) and two new nephews (Barney and Harry) behind to strengthen their bond with their long-lost relative.
DOOF-DOOF!
Billy Mitchell holds a significant place in EastEnders due to his multifaceted character and long-standing presence. He’s extremely important to life on Albert Square because Billy represents the everyday person. His struggles, flaws, and relatable experiences resonate with us, and we cheer him as a result.
He’s evolved from an abusive figure to a more compassionate and caring individual. His redemption arcs have shown us courage and resilience. We always prefer characters that learn from their mistakes and strive to be better.
With Honey, his children, Jay, his great-granddaughter Lexi, his brother and nephews, maybe it’s time Billy became the Head of the Mitchell Family.
After all, after 26 years on the Square, surely he’s earned it!
A Walk Through Walford 
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