It seems only yesterday that a fresh new limb of the Mitchell family tree was discovered, when Teddy (Roland Manookian), Harry (Elijah Holloway) and Barney (Lewis Bridgeman) arrived in EastEnders, followed closely by Nicola (Laura Doddington).
That limb, however, has been somewhat pruned, with dad Teddy set to leave his troubled boys and devious ex-wife behind as he departs the Square, as Roland has left the role only a year-and-a-half after arriving.
When asked for a comment, an EastEnders spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm Roland will be leaving EastEnders this year, and we wish him all the best for the future’.
While currently unconfirmed, it seems Teddy could bow out at the conclusion of his current storyline, which sees him determined to take the rap of Okie Okyere (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu), after Harry stabbed him, making him the latest in a wave of cast departures following Ben Wadey taking over the reigns of the BBC soap.
The new Mitchells
The new Mitchells were brought in amongst a serious resurgence of the BBC soap, under much-celebrated former boss, Chris Clenshaw. The Mitchell family had found itself seriously depleted with the losses of Lola (Danielle Harold) and Ben (Max Bowden), and in an effort to bolster Walford’s most heralded clan, Billy’s (Perry Fenwick) dad, Stevie (Alan Ford), rocked up with a big secret.
The big secret was Teddy, Billy’s half-brother who he’d previously known nothing about.
When Teddy arrived, he immediately clashed with established Mitchell patriarch, Phil (Steve McFadden).
‘I’m delighted to welcome Roland, Elijah and Lewis to EastEnders as we bring a new branch of the iconic Mitchell family to the Square,’ said Chris at the time. ‘The arrival of Teddy, Harry and Barney will be a seismic shock for Billy and an unwelcome surprise for Phil. With their arrival sparking more questions than answers, it’s not long before the Mitchells find themselves at war as Teddy and his sons are thrust into the heart of the drama.’
Roland himself said: ‘I’ve been watching EastEnders my whole life, so being part of it is amazing! Coming in as a Mitchell means you’ve got big shoes to fill, but it’s a challenge that I’m happy to accept.
‘It’s a privilege to have the chance to work with the likes of Perry Fenwick, Steve McFadden, and the legendary Alan Ford – what amazing company to keep. Teddy is an enigmatic sort of fella with old-school principles, but he’s tuned into modernity, too. It’s a lovely part to get my teeth into.’
Teddy immediately began to pursue Phil’s on-again-off-again wife, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), keeping them firmly at odds, while he also navigated the arrival of ex-wife, Nicola.
He was later left utterly broken-hearted to learn that youngest son Barney was actually the product of an affair between Nicola and Zack Hudson (James Farrar).
Sacrificing himself for his son
When his beloved son Harry sought to free his best friend Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) from the drug ring he’d found himself trapped within, he enlisted Teddy to help. Teddy’s hidden-camera plot, though, proved useless when Harry was captured and held hostage by Okie.
With Teddy momentarily placated by a fake holiday story, Okie tortured Harry with starvation, feeding him drugs to ease the pain. Harry quickly developed a strong addiction.
While Teddy and George Knight (Colin Salmon) helped rescue Harry after Kojo’s daring escape, they were drawn back in by Okie, leading to a fatal confrontation, in which Harry accidentally stabbed Okie with his own knife, a wound from which he quickly passed away.
As Harry showered at home, Teddy told Nicola he intended to take the fall for Okie’s death, returning to the scene of the crime and placing his fingerprints on the knife, before calling the police. Though initially claiming self defence, Teddy, knowing there was no way out, later pled guilty.
Unfulfilled potential?
The casting of Roland, a well-known British film actor, who’d starred in The Football Factory and Rise of the Footsoldier was widely celebrated by EastEnders fans, with a source telling the Sun: ‘Roland took a big risk agreeing to join EastEnders after his long and successful career in film.’
The source further spoke of how the initial buzz of Teddy’s arrival soon fizzled out: ‘There was big hopes for the Mitchells being revitalised by the new family but things obviously changed for some reason and the material just wasn’t there for Teddy.
‘Bosses made the decision that the character had run his course and that was that. It seems such a waste.’
Teddy is the latest character to be axed following new ‘Enders boss, Ben Wadey, took the reigns of the soap, following Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris), Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison), Junior Knight (Micah Balfour), Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford), with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) taking an extended break.
While the new regime at EastEnders have reintroduced Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), the initial excitement surrounding her return has quickly turned to apathy, with fans rejecting her circling stalker storyline.
Perhaps an injection of Walford’s ultimate lothario could spice things up?
