Archie Mitchell

For the Christian minister, see Archie E. Mitchell.

Archie Mitchell
Portrayed by	Larry Lamb
Duration	2008–09
First appearance	8 July 2008
Last appearance	28 December 2009
Classification	Former; regular
Introduced by	Diederick Santer
In-universe information Occupation Businessman/landlord Family Mitchell family Father Phil Mitchell Mother Sandra Mitchell Brothers Eric Mitchell Clive Mitchell Wife Glenda Mitchell (1972–91) Peggy Mitchell (2009) Sons Danny Mitchell Daughters Ronnie Mitchell Roxy Mitchell Granddaughters Danielle Jones Amy Mitchell Grandfathers Edward Mitchell Grandmothers Betty Mitchell Uncles Kenneth Mitchell Nephews Phil Mitchell Grant Mitchell Charlie Mitchell Harry Mitchell Nieces Sam Mitchell First cousins Steven Mitchell Ted Mitchell

Archibald Lionel "Archie" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Larry Lamb. The character of Archie is the father of already established characters Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), and a member of the Mitchell family, who have appeared in the soap since 1990. Roxy is the younger of the two daughters and seemingly shared a closer relationship with Archie whereas Ronnie's relationship with him is not so amicable. After originally leaving Walford following the revelation of his deceit and lies, Archie returned on 9 July 2009, and departed at the conclusion of his storyline, on 28 December 2009..

Creation and development

The character of Archie was introduced in a group of episodes filmed on-location in Weymouth, Dorset. Viewers were made aware of his feud with daughter Ronnie after he made her give her baby up for adoption as a teenager. Larry Lamb discussed Archie and Ronnie's relationship in an interview with Radio Times: "He has a very chequered past - it's gone very wrong with Ronnie, while Roxy's his blue-eyed girl [...] he's a very family-oriented character and I think he finds the dissent between him and Ronnie a little bit tough to take." He has also said: "Ronnie brings out the worst in Archie, and he gets vicious. Archie wants to put right these long-standing problems he has with Ronnie. But things just get worse." An EastEnders source said of their relationship: "At the moment she has to play the game to get what she wants. But she is more than a match for Archie - and with Phil as back-up she is able to take him on. And one thing is for sure - it's going to be a spectacular war between these two."

The arrival of Archie was anticipated ever since the arrival of his daughters in July 2007, with several actors rumoured to be taking on the role. Janus told Digital Spy, "I would love the idea that this mad, iconic male [Archie] comes back into our lives. It needs to be someone dark — someone that gives a really wiry performance." Simons added, "I don't know why I've got this thing about Bob Hoskins. I've always wanted him to be my dad." Other actors mentioned by Janus and Simons include Terence Stamp, Malcolm McDowell, Michael Caine, Ian McShane and Ray Winstone. Winstone, a friend of Janus, denied claims that he would be playing Archie, joking "I'll play [Ronnie's] fella but I'm not playing her dad!" Veteran entertainer Lionel Blair was also rumoured to be playing Archie, but this was denied. The character's imminent arrival was announced in early March 2008, with Larry Lamb being cast in the role.

The character has been described by EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer as "a Mitchell through and through", "possessing the unique moral code which that legendary name implies", who will "set the cat amongst the Mitchell pigeons" and "[blow] the complex and darkly-veiled Mitchell world [...] apart." He is also described as "charismatic, authoritative, smart and proper old-school London" and an "archetypal Mitchell", and according to Digital Spy, his arrival will "shed new light on what made Ronnie and Roxy into the women they are and [...] provide some new insights into Peggy [Mitchell]'s history." Santer promised EastEnders' audience "stacks of excitement and drama" upon Archie's arrival.

Speaking of the casting of Lamb in the role, Santer commented: "Larry Lamb is an immensely talented, experienced and charismatic actor. [...] Barbara [Windsor], Rita [Simons], Sam [Janus] and I are very excited to be working with Larry." Lamb said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be joining the Mitchell clan and working with [...] Barbara Windsor and my new-found daughters Ronnie and Roxy. I can't wait to step into Archie's shoes — frankly, it's a badge of honour to join EastEnders. My roots are working class so becoming part of the Square feels right. It's like I've come full circle and am back where I started out." He also described Archie as "different [from Phil and Grant]. He's not [...] frightened to get involved, but he's become more worldly over the years. He's made a success of his life and he's learnt a lot on the way."

Archie is a love interest for Peggy, his brother's widow, despite reports that actress Barbara Windsor did not want any more romantic storylines. Windsor later commented that "she always thought Larry Lamb should star in the [...] soap" and that he is a "match made in heaven" for her.

The character was originally intended to stay on screen only for the duration of the Danielle Jones storyline, however, following the character's departure, it was confirmed he would return due to his popularity with viewers. Again, this appearance lasted for a single storyline, and Archie departed again at its conclusion. Archie returned in an attempt to win Peggy back. Lamb commented on his character's part in the storyline, saying "I do know this dream family is a figment of his imagination. Archie thinks he will prevail, but that's because he's a psychopath!"

Storylines

Backstory

Archie is the father of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell. He suffered through an abusive childhood at the hands of his father, which may have contributed to the man he turned into. He was known to be a warm, charismatic man to those he came across, in particular his sister-in-law Peggy Mitchell, whom he helped when she suffered at the hands of his violent brother Eric. However, behind closed doors, Archie was shown to be a nasty man. He repeatedly had affairs, turning his wife Glenda into a bitter and broken woman. When he discovered Ronnie was pregnant at 14 years old, he told her to stay away from her boyfriend Joel Reynolds, but she refused. She gave birth to her daughter Amy in 1989. After the birth, Archie put her up for adoption, leaving his daughter heartbroken, resulting in her hatred for him. Glenda saw Archie manipulate Ronnie, and when she got pregnant with their third child, Danny, she left as she did not want Archie to manipulate another child. Ronnie disowned her father and walked out in 1993 and Archie had not seen or talked to her since.

2008–2009

Archie is visited by Ronnie and Peggy in Dorset, as they are searching for Roxy, who has disappeared from Ibiza. Peggy knows Roxy is staying with Archie, but doesn't tell Ronnie due to fear of her not turning up. Ronnie is furious to see her father after 15 years and wants nothing to do with him. Archie and Peggy catch up, and he tells her he fought cancer in the past. Archie lies to Ronnie that Amy died 13 years previously, but Ronnie says he was lying to make her angry and upset. Roxy agrees to move back to London if Ronnie and Archie make up, but Ronnie pretends to kiss her father and says she'll kiss his gravestone when he's dead. Archie persuades Peggy to start a relationship while they can, and tells Ronnie he'd see her in London in a few weeks.

Archie and Peggy return to The Queen Victoria public house, and they are engaged. Peggy becomes suspicious of Archie and spies on him by sending texts from Suzy Branning's mobile phone, but when he finds out, he postpones the wedding as he feels she does not trust him. He persuades Danielle Jones to spy on Ronnie by stealing a letter from Joel. When Archie confronts Ronnie about the letter, he burns it. He begins to control Peggy, telling her how to dress and distancing her from her friends. Roxy goes into premature labour. Archie pretends to ring Roxy's husband, Sean Slater, as he dislikes him and does not want him to be with Roxy. Roxy gives birth to a girl who she names Amy after Ronnie's daughter. Archie catches Suzy stealing from the Mitchells' safe and tells her he will not say anything if she will make sure Sean finds Amy's DNA test results, proving that Sean is not the father.

Archie realises that Danielle is actually his Ronnie's daughter when he sees the locket Ronnie gave her before giving her up for adoption. He convinces her that Ronnie suffers from depression and she should let him decide when is the right time to reveal her true identity to Ronnie as he wants to preserve his lie about the child's death. He tells Danielle he will tell Ronnie himself, but later tries to kill her. However, he pays her to leave, saying he has told Ronnie and she wants nothing to do with Danielle.

On his wedding day, Archie is angered when Peggy chooses not to wear the wedding dress Archie chose for her. Archie decides that he loves her regardless, and the ceremony proceeds. At the reception, Ronnie sees Danielle upstairs, who tells her the truth. Danielle realises Archie has lied to her, but Archie says Danielle is mentally ill. Danielle tries to prove herself, by showing her the locket, which she has left downstairs in a wine glass for her to find. Ronnie believes Archie, and throws Danielle out. However, she then finds the locket and realises Danielle had told the truth. Archie tries to stop her going after Danielle, and tells her he lied about the death.

Peggy is shocked and disgusted, and tells all the guests to leave. Archie's schemes and lies are revealed and Peggy realises she has made a mistake. Ronnie goes after Danielle, who is hit by a car and killed. Archie is thrown out of his home and disowned by his family. Peggy orders her son Phil to kill Archie, so he kidnaps him and threatens to bury him in cement. Archie begs for his life, offering Phil money. However, the cement mixer only contains water. Phil tells Archie to leave, saying if he returns, he will be killed.

Archie returns months later to get Peggy back, and he has reconciled with Roxy. Archie refuses to leave and reveals he has moved into a house nearby. Archie asks Roxy to pass on a gift to Ronnie: the baby blanket she bought for her daughter when she was born. Peggy eventually agrees to talk to Archie and eventually believes he is sorry for his past actions. Phil sees him, and breaks into his house with a gun, but sees him and Peggy kissing. Peggy tells Phil that Archie has changed, but Phil tells Archie to stay away from his family and drops a bullet into his drinking glass. Phil later tells Archie he's going to kill him, but is stopped by Phil's son, Ben. Peggy goes on holiday and when she returns, Archie begs her to take him back, but she refuses.

Roxy invites everyone to Archie's housewarming party, but Ronnie organises a party at The Queen Victoria so nobody turns up at Archie's. Janine Butcher tells Ronnie that Archie has paid her to spy on her and Roxy. Ronnie tells Roxy, who disowns Archie and moves out, leaving him alone. He buys the car lot from Jack Branning, upsetting Ronnie further. Danielle's biological father, Joel Reynolds comes to Walford, and he and Ronnie start a sexual relationship and Archie is irritated. When Archie realises Joel and Ronnie had sex even though Joel has a wife and children, he decides to take action. Archie gives Joel money to leave Walford and never come back and Joel says he can stand up to him now, but Archie blackmails him about his family; Joel then leaves.

Archie's niece Sam returns to Walford from Brazil after being on the run from the police, and Roxy tells him. He learns of Sam's engagement to Ricky Butcher and brings them a gift, but it is declined. When Sam is arrested, Archie puts up the money for her bail on the condition he can have his family back. He and Peggy celebrate but Ronnie, Roxy, Billy, and Phil return the money, disowning him for good. He vows to get revenge on the whole family and take The Queen Victoria from them, with Janine's help. He plans to burn down the pub, but after starting a fire, he hears Peggy so he quickly puts it out. After they have a brief discussion, she soon kisses him.

Archie convinces Sam to flee, losing the Mitchells their £250,000 security money. Phil is in debt to a loan shark but gets a loan from Ian Beale on the condition that if the money is not paid back in two weeks, Ian will get The Queen Victoria. Archie tries to convince Ian to sell him the loan but Ian declines. Archie proposes to Janine to try to stop her seducing Ian so he will sell the loan to her. After Janine plays Archie a recording of her and Ian having sex, planning to bribe Ian with it, she accepts Archie's proposal. They kiss as Billy hides behind the door and overhears that they are engaged and are planning to take The Queen Victoria. They convince Billy to stay on his side, and seeing that Ian's wife Jane has returned home, go ahead with their plan to blackmail Ian. Janine and Archie visit Ian, and he reluctantly signs over The Queen Victoria's loan to them.

Ian realises that Janine and Archie are working together but refuses to sell them the loan for his half-brother Ben's sake, as he would be left homeless. When Archie and Peggy's divorce papers come through, Archie tells Peggy he still loves her and wants her back. Peggy's employee and Janine's flatmate Ryan Malloy overhears them and tells Janine. Janine then shows off her engagement ring to Peggy, and Peggy does not believe her until she reveals it belonged to Archie's mother and Peggy recognises it. She then confronts Archie, but is annoyed that she fell for his lies again. She signs the divorce papers and the Mitchells celebrate in the pub. Ryan alerts them to the fact that Archie and Janine are downstairs behind the bar, and the Mitchells are angry when he reveals Ian sold them the loan and the pub is now theirs, as the deadline has not been met.

The Mitchells vow to carry on as normal, but Archie has his name put above the door in place of Peggy's, and shows them a loan agreement, saying the Mitchells are now trespassing. Ronnie stands up to him and he pushes her into the bar. Roxy then reveals that Ronnie is pregnant. Ronnie has a miscarriage and Peggy tells Archie he has killed another of Ronnie's children, warning him to stay away from her. She later invites Archie and Janine to The Queen Victoria during a Christmas Eve party and hands over the keys.

On Christmas Day, Archie tells Ian the CD of the recording is under Ian's Christmas tree for Jane, but Ian fails to find it. Archie tells Janine that they should skip Christmas dinner as he has made a surprise treasure hunt for her. Janine eventually finds an envelope containing a one-way ticket to Poland and Archie throws her out onto the street telling her he knows how she and Ryan tried to double-cross him. Archie is visited by Jack who threatens to kill him if he hurts Ronnie again. Archie finds Ian searching his living room for the CD and Archie says it is on his laptop and he can make as copies at any time, threatening Ian with a phone call to Jane, before ejecting him from the pub. Sam returns and attempts to confront Archie but he shuts the door on her. Ronnie then arrives and tells him with no emotion that he will not make her care for him and she would not care if he died. Archie throws her out onto the street reminding her that it was the exact spot she pushed Danielle onto the night she died.

Archie is visited by Peggy and he pleads with her to come home to him as she is the woman he loves. Peggy says she is not just a sweet and innocent old lady and that he has no idea who he is messing with. She tells Archie if he does not leave the pub that night he will regret every cruel and evil act he has ever done. He tells her that unless she returns he will have the pub converted to flats. He then becomes emotional as he tells Peggy that he will be waiting for her as she walks out on him. Bradley Branning walks in and punches Archie in the face twice and loosens one of his teeth but accidentally punches the bar as well, leaving blood. He tells Archie to stay away from his girlfriend Stacey Slater because she has said Archie raped her three months previously, and Bradley leaves. As Archie picks up the snowglobe from the floor, somebody hits him over the head with the bust of Queen Victoria. Moments later, Ronnie finds him and he struggles to say his final words, "Veronica, I'm sorry," before he dies. His body is brought out and taken away the next morning.

Archie's will is read out, revealing that he left:

• Billy his "stool" at the bar and his room in the Queen Vic, as a place for him to live where he cannot be thrown out;
• Peggy a silver framed photo of their wedding;
• Amy and Ronnie's "first surviving child" £100,000 each to be held in trust until their 21st birthdays, though Ronnie was unhappy with this as she saw it as Archie controlling her from beyond the grave;
• Phil his father's "real" boxing trophy, which they had a fight about earlier regarding Archie giving fake ones;
• Roxy his antique fountain pen, which she always wanted as a child, as well as the residue of his estate, including his house, car, an engagement ring, The Queen Victoria, the car lot and £3 million;
• Ronnie his signet ring (as well as a note regarding him expecting her to not take any substantial gifts from him);
• Janine his Newton's cradle, "in the knowledge it will drive her absolutely nuts"

A pathologist's report shows that Archie had terminal cancer and only had weeks to live anyway. he funeral takes place on Thursday 28 January 2010 Ronnie isnt sad our even makes an effort Roxy and Ronnie meet Danny there brother.

Reception

After Lamb joined the cast, Diederick Santer commented "I've only seen a handful of scenes that Larry's done so far but I think he's giving a mesmerising and multi-layered performance. There's quite a buzz coming up from the set, and I'm really excited about him." Tim Teeman, critic for The Times, has described Archie as "a thousand times more terrifying than Nick Cotton" and "a psycho in a golf jersey."

External links

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