Peggy Mitchell’s son has some unexpected Hollywood admirers… (Picture: Ian West/PA)
Steve McFadden, best known for playing the tough-talking, no-nonsense Phil Mitchell on EastEnders, may be a familiar face to millions of British soap fans, but it turns out he’s also caught the eye of one of Hollywood’s biggest directors.
During a recent episode of the Making a Scene podcast, hosted by Little Britain stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams, EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy, who plays fan-favourite Sonia Fowler, made a guest appearance and revealed just how much respect Steve McFadden commands among his peers. But she was stunned to find out he’s got a major fan across the pond, none other than Tim Burton.
The moment came during a lively chat between the hosts and Natalie about the intensity of life on the long-running BBC soap. Reflecting on the demands of the job, Natalie said:
‘I’ve seen a lot of actors come into EastEnders. Brilliant, brilliant actors come in, and after a couple of weeks, they say, “I can’t, it’s too much.” You know, in the morning you might be getting married, and by the evening you’ve got divorced and someone’s died. You’re working over that level of emotion all day long, and you’ve got to keep on top of it and know all of those lines and know who you’re working with. It’s a skill. I always say that about Steve McFadden. For me, Steve is one of the best actors in the UK.’
What a Steve McFadden and Tim Burton crossover might look like (Picture: Metro/BBC)
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Steve, 66, has portrayed Phil Mitchell since 1990, becoming one of the most iconic figures in British television. Over the years, Phil has battled addiction, faced off against enemies, buried secrets, and carried entire storylines on his shoulders. But while UK audiences have long known how powerful McFadden’s performances can be, it seems that Hollywood has taken notice too.
Host Matt Lucas chimed in with a surprising tidbit:
‘Do you know who’s a massive fan of Steve McFadden?’
‘Who?’ asked Natalie.
‘Tim Burton,’ Matt revealed.
‘Is he really?’ she responded, clearly shocked.
Lucas went on to explain that he’d worked with the gothic filmmaker and that during their time together, Tim Burton had been ‘really rhapsodising about Steve McFadden.’
David Walliams quickly added:
‘Why doesn’t he give Steve McFadden a job?’
Matt replied,
‘I don’t know, maybe because he was busy at the time in EastEnders.’
But Walliams wasn’t convinced:
‘I think he’d make himself available.’
Natalie, ever the joker, seized the moment:
‘If you see Tim Burton again, ask if he’s a fan of me because I’m up for a job.’
Natalie is definetly up for it! (Picture: @makingascenepod)
The idea that Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice director Tim Burton is a Steve McFadden fan may seem surprising, but perhaps not so far-fetched. Tim is known for casting intense, emotionally layered actors in his films, and McFadden certainly fits the bill. His brooding presence, deep voice, and simmering intensity have become synonymous with EastEnders drama over the years.
And it’s not just fans who recognise Steve McFadden’s talent. Cassidy’s praise highlights what many in the industry already know: soap acting is incredibly demanding, and sustaining such a high level of performance for decades is no small feat.
‘You’re working over that level of emotion all day long,’ Natalie explained. ‘You’ve got to keep on top of it… It’s a skill.’
Indeed, McFadden has been the backbone of some of EastEnders’ most iconic storylines, from the explosive ‘Who shot Phil?’ arc to his complex relationships with the Mitchell family. He’s been nominated for and won several soap awards, including an NTA just a few weeks ago, and in 2016, he even took a brief break from the show, prompting an outpouring of support and speculation from fans eager for his return.
Could Phil Mitchell Go Hollywood? (Picture: BBC)
While there’s no sign yet that McFadden is headed to Hollywood, this unexpected shout-out from Tim Burton has sparked the imagination of fans online. Could we one day see Phil Mitchell trading the Queen Vic for a quirky mansion in a Tim Burton fantasy world?
If nothing else, the moment served as a heartwarming reminder of just how far the reach of British soaps can extend and how deeply respected some of its stars are, even in the most unlikely circles.
And as for Natalie Cassidy, she may be looking for a new gig, too, just in case Tim Burton is listening.
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