Samantha Womack has returned to Eastenders as feisty sister, Ronnie Mitchell.The 40-year-old actress will return for a sixth month stint after two years away from the award-winning soap.Samantha took to Twitter to share her excitement at re-joining the serial drama - and in particular reuniting with her on-screen sister Roxy, played by Rita Simons.
Posting a picture of the sister act, Samantha wrote, "Back together again#mitchellsisters. "The two blondes were quick to make the most of their first day back on set together, and were snapped happily chatting and smiling in Rita's white Mercedes convertible together.Samantha first revealed she would returning be returning to Eastenders last month. "Lots of people asking when I go back to EE. I start filming in mid-July," she told her Twitter fans.Samantha left Eastenders in January 2011 after her character, Ronnie, became involved in a highly controversial storyline that was ill-received.The story, which saw Ronnie kidnap Kat Moon's baby and replace him with her own who had tragically died in a cot death, received 9,000 complaints and forced producers to bring it to a swift close.
"I did find the storyline very, very difficult to play… by the end I was shattered," she said in an interview at the time. "It was the right time to leave. Imagine going to work every day and screaming and crying and going through that whole range of emotions… I really lived it. "Since her time in Eastenders, Sam has had several roles on the West End stage although admitted, "deep down, thought-provoking, psychological drama is where my heart lies.""I'm very, very fond of my character, I love the place and I love the people," she added.Samantha returns to EastEnders as Ronnie is released from prison. Her re-appearance in the Square will surely create havoc.
"I can't wait to be a Mitchell once again," Samantha said.
Samantha is joined by Gary Lucy and Scott Maslen, also returning as characters Danny Pennant and Jack Branning respectively.