NOT THE ENDER EastEnders pair hint at shock comeback as they reunite nine years after brutal double axing
The on-screen sisters posed for a picture nine years after they were brutally axed from the BBC soap.
They played Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders until 2017 when they both died on Ronnie’s wedding day.
Posing together, Rita captioned the snap: Look who I found! #r&r in liverpool @samzjanus was absolutely incredible in @dearenglandplay.”
The picture had fans desperate for a comeback with one commenting: “look, we’re all prepared to just forget the whole drowning thing ever happened and move on. bring them back.”
Another added: “i’ll never ask for anything in life again if we saw r&r return!!”
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Samantha, who plays Ronnie and Rita Simons – who played her close sister Roxy Mitchell – made their debut in EastEnders in July 2007.
However, Sean O’Connor took over as the executive producer role from Dominic Treadwell-Collins and made the decision to axe the sisters just ten years later.
He decided to kill off the popular Mitchell sibling duo in a dramatic fashion after Ronnie’s second wedding to Jack Branning (Scott Maslen).
Samantha has admitted that she felt rejected by the new boss, as she admitted that it was not her decision to leave.
She told The Mail: “It was really hard for us because it wasn’t in our hands.
“We didn’t make the decision to go. I don’t really understand what happened, one producer was leaving and another was coming in, I don’t know what went on.”
However Rita has since told The Sun that the pair would be up for returning – should bosses take the brave step to fix the mistake of killing them off.
“It just doesn’t, it doesn’t stop,” she said.
“Someone, I won’t name them, said to me the other day ‘the resilience of your fans is impressive’.
“And it is. Listen, if it was a meeting, we’d be there. But no, I’ve been having lots of very sort of, I’m looking at the gritty dramas, the comedies, the gangster stuff.
“Of course, if EastEnders came knocking, we’d definitely have a conversation.”
The emotional reaction from fans following the reunion photo proves one thing beyond doubt — Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell are far from forgotten. Nearly a decade after their heartbreaking exit, the bond between the characters, and between the actresses themselves, continues to resonate deeply with audiences who grew up watching their chaotic, loyal, and often tragic lives unfold in Albert Square.
For many viewers, the deaths of Ronnie and Roxy remain one of the most controversial decisions in the show’s history. The sisters drowned together in a swimming pool in scenes that were meant to be dramatic and final — but instead, they left a lingering sense of unfinished business. Fans have long argued that the storyline robbed the show of two of its most dynamic female characters, whose layered personalities brought both grit and vulnerability to the screen.
Now, with the pair reunited in Liverpool and openly acknowledging the enduring fan support, speculation is once again reaching fever pitch. Social media has been flooded with theories — some plausible, others wildly imaginative — about how the show could possibly reverse such a definitive ending.
Soap operas, after all, are no strangers to bending reality. From presumed deaths to secret twins and witness protection twists, the genre thrives on dramatic returns. And while bringing back characters who died on-screen is no small feat, it’s not entirely unprecedented. This has only fueled hope that writers could find a creative workaround to reintroduce Ronnie and Roxy in a way that honors their legacy while reigniting storylines.
Some fans believe the answer lies in a retcon — rewriting the past to suggest the sisters didn’t actually die, but were instead rescued and taken away under mysterious circumstances. Others suggest dream sequences, flashbacks, or even long-lost video recordings that could allow the characters to reappear without undoing their deaths entirely.
Beyond the logistics, however, lies a deeper question: why do fans care so much?
The answer is rooted in the unique relationship Ronnie and Roxy shared. They were flawed, fierce, and fiercely protective of one another. Ronnie’s steely exterior often masked deep emotional scars, while Roxy’s free-spirited nature brought warmth and unpredictability. Together, they represented a complex sisterhood rarely portrayed with such intensity on television.
Their departure left a noticeable gap — one that, for many viewers, has never quite been filled.
Since leaving the show, both Samantha Womack and Rita Simons have carved out successful careers across stage and screen. Samantha has received critical acclaim for her theatre work, while Rita has explored a range of roles that showcase her versatility beyond the soap world. Yet despite their individual successes, their shared history as the Mitchell sisters continues to define a significant part of their public identity.
That’s why moments like this reunion carry so much weight. It’s not just nostalgia — it’s a reminder of what made their partnership so compelling in the first place.
Industry insiders have remained tight-lipped about any potential return, but the actresses’ openness to “having a conversation” is enough to keep hope alive. In an era where revivals, reboots, and surprise comebacks are increasingly common, nothing feels entirely off the table.
Producers are also more aware than ever of the power of fan engagement. The persistent demand for Ronnie and Roxy’s return has not gone unnoticed, and in a competitive television landscape, tapping into that kind of built-in audience enthusiasm could prove to be a smart move.
Still, any potential comeback would need to be handled with care. The emotional weight of their original exit cannot simply be brushed aside. If the characters were to return, the storyline would need to strike a delicate balance between honoring the past and creating something fresh and believable.
For now, the reunion remains just that — a moment of connection between two actresses and the characters that defined a generation of viewers. But in the world of soap operas, even the smallest spark can ignite something much bigger.
As fans continue to campaign, speculate, and dream, one thing is certain: the story of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell may not be as finished as it once seemed.
And if there’s one lesson Albert Square has taught us over the years, it’s this — never say never.