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For the Christian minister, see Archie E. Mitchell.
Archibald Lionel "Archie" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Larry Lamb.[1] 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,[2] and will again depart at the conclusion of his storyline.
[edit] Creation and developmentThe character of Archie was introduced in a group of episodes filmed on-location in Weymouth, Dorset.[3] 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."[4] 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."[5] 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."[5] 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."[6] Simons added, "I don't know why I've got this thing about Bob Hoskins. I've always wanted him to be my dad."[6] Other actors mentioned by Janus and Simons include Terence Stamp, Malcolm McDowell,[6] Michael Caine, Ian McShane[7] and Ray Winstone.[6] 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!"[8] Veteran entertainer Lionel Blair was also rumoured to be playing Archie, but this was denied.[9] 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",[1] "possessing the unique moral code which that legendary name implies",[10] who will "set the cat amongst the Mitchell pigeons" and "[blow] the complex and darkly-veiled Mitchell world [...] apart."[10] He is also described as "charismatic, authoritative, smart and proper old-school London"[10] and an "archetypal Mitchell",[11] 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."[10] Santer promised EastEnders' audience "stacks of excitement and drama" upon Archie's arrival.[10] 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."[10] 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."[10] 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."[4] Archie is a love interest for Peggy, his brother's widow,[1] despite reports that actress Barbara Windsor did not want any more romantic storylines.[12] 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.[13] 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 will last for a single storyline, and Archie will depart again at its conclusion.[14] 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!"[15] [edit] Storylines[edit] BackstoryArchie is the father of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell. 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 who eventually emigrated to Australia[16] when she couldn't handle the pain he was putting her through. Archie used to leave a watch that Ronnie and Roxy bought for him out in the hall as a sign that Ronnie had done something wrong. He would leave it a couple of days, and then deprive her of something she really wanted as a punishment. Ronnie had found an injured pigeon that she wanted to adopt, but Archie wrung his neck. When he discovered Ronnie was pregnant at 14 years old, he told her to stay away from her boyfriend Joel, 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. Ronnie walked out in 1993 and Archie hadn't seen or talked to her since. [edit] 2008–2009Archie 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 concinces Sam to flee. 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 shows Archie a video of her and Ian having sex, planning to bribe Ian with it, she accepts Archie's proposal. [edit] ReceptionDiederick Santer has 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."[17] 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."[18] [edit] References
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