What Happened to Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders? How Did She Die?
by A Maria | Updated Apr 28, 2023
EastEnders
Since February 1985, BBC One has been broadcasting EastEnders, a British television soap opera created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland. The show is set in the fictional borough of Walford in the East End of London and chronicles the daily lives of local residents and their families. It quickly became popular and within eight months of its launch, it reached the top spot in BARB's television ratings.
EastEnders has remained among the highest-rated shows in Britain ever since. The show has four episodes listed in the top 10 most-watched programs in the UK of all time, including the number one spot for the 1986 Christmas Day episode, which was watched by over 30 million people.
EastEnders has been instrumental in the history of British television drama as it has tackled many controversial or taboo subjects in British culture and has portrayed a social life that had not been previously seen on UK mainstream television.
What Happened to Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders?
On New Year's Day 2017, Roxy Mitchell passed away along with her sister Ronnie Mitchell. Before her death, Ronnie had decided to move to Ongar with her husband Jack Branning, their sons Matthew Cotton and Ricky Mitchell, and Roxy's daughter Amy. Roxy, who was struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, continued to spiral out of control after Ronnie's departure.
On New Year's Eve, Roxy made a scene at a party and called her mother Glenda Mitchell, and half-brother Danny Mitchell to pick her up. Although she was initially hesitant about attending Ronnie and Jack's wedding, Roxy reconciled with her sister and encouraged her to be honest about her desire for Roxy to join them in Ongar. Eventually, Jack agreed for Roxy to move with them, and the couple got married and celebrated with their loved ones.
However, after heavy drinking, Roxy and Ronnie went to a closed swimming pool where Roxy jumped in and never resurfaced. Ronnie tried to save her sister but became weighed down and drowned alongside her. A post-mortem examination revealed that Roxy died from a heart attack caused by the shock of hitting the cold water. The cause of death for the sisters was deemed to be accidental. Jack blamed Roxy's cocaine addiction for her death and also held her responsible for Ronnie's demise.
How Did Roxy Mitchell Die in EastEnders?
Just hours after Ronnie and Jack Branning tied the knot, Roxy and Ronnie met a tragic end. Roxy had been struggling with drug abuse and had asked Ronnie and Jack to adopt her daughter Amy, but they had reconciled, and Roxy was set to move to Essex with her sister and Jack. During the wedding party, Roxy and Ronnie disappeared together and drank heavily while reminiscing.
As the clock approached midnight, they stumbled upon a hotel swimming pool, and Roxy impulsively jumped in. Sadly, she suffered a heart attack upon hitting the water and didn't resurface. In an attempt to save her sister, Ronnie jumped into the pool in her wedding dress but became weighed down and drowned. The sisters' deaths were controversial among some fans, and some even stopped watching the show as a result. Rita Simons, who played Roxy, revealed that viewers had sent her scripts with plausible scenarios for bringing her character back.
Who Played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders?
Rita Simons, an English actress, and singer from London, portrayed the fictional character of Roxy Mitchell (also Slater) in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Simons played the role from 2007 until 2017 when her character was killed off alongside her on-screen sister Ronnie Mitchell (played by Samantha Womack). Simons' portrayal of Roxy earned her numerous accolades, including the 2008 National Television Award for Most Popular Newcomer.
Will Roxy Mitchell Return to EastEnders?
The Sun newspaper reported exclusively in April 2023 that Roxy Mitchell, who was previously killed off in the show, is set to make an unprecedented return to EastEnders. Actress Rita Simons, who played the character, confirmed that she was approached by the show's producers through her agent and was asked to return for a day's filming. She stated that the producers made it clear that her character would not appear as a ghost, as she does not do ghost roles and would refuse to play one.
About EastEnders
Genre
Soap opera
Created by
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Original language
English
Original network
Original release
19 February 1985
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
What Happened to Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders - FAQs
EastEnders first started airing in February 1985 on BBC One.
EastEnders was created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland.
EastEnders is set in the fictional borough of Walford in the East End of London.
EastEnders is a television soap opera that chronicles the daily lives of local residents and their families in Walford.
EastEnders quickly became popular after its launch, and within eight months it reached the top spot in BARB's television ratings. It has remained among the highest-rated shows in Britain ever since.