{"id":202429,"date":"2025-10-15T18:49:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T18:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/202429\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T18:49:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T18:49:09","slug":"eastenders-steve-mcfadden-has-major-fan-in-hollywood-legend-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/202429\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders’ Steve McFadden has major fan in Hollywood legend | Soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Steve
\n\t\tPeggy Mitchell<\/a>\u2019s son has some unexpected Hollywood admirers\u2026 (Picture: Ian West\/PA)<\/p>\n

Steve McFadden<\/a>, best known for playing the tough-talking, no-nonsense Phil Mitchell<\/a> on EastEnders, may be a familiar face to millions of British soap fans, but it turns out he\u2019s also caught the eye of one of Hollywood\u2019s biggest directors.<\/p>\n

During a recent episode of the Making a Scene podcast<\/a>, hosted by Little Britain stars Matt Lucas<\/a> and David Walliams<\/a>, EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy<\/a>, who plays fan-favourite Sonia Fowler<\/a>, made a guest appearance and revealed just how much respect Steve McFadden commands among his peers. But she was stunned to find out he\u2019s got a major fan across the pond, none other than Tim Burton.<\/p>\n

The moment came during a lively chat between the hosts and Natalie about the intensity of life on the long-running BBC<\/a> soap. Reflecting on the demands of the job, Natalie said:<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve seen a lot of actors come into EastEnders. Brilliant, brilliant actors come in, and after a couple of weeks, they say, \u201cI can\u2019t, it\u2019s too much.\u201d You know, in the morning you might be getting married, and by the evening you\u2019ve got divorced and someone\u2019s died. You\u2019re working over that level of emotion all day long, and you\u2019ve got to keep on top of it and know all of those lines and know who you\u2019re working with. It\u2019s a skill. I always say that about Steve McFadden. For me, Steve is one of the best actors in the UK.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\"Steve
\n\t\tWhat a Steve McFadden and Tim Burton crossover might look like (Picture: Metro\/BBC)<\/p>\n

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
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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\u2019s performances can be<\/a>, it seems that Hollywood has taken notice too.<\/p>\n

Host Matt Lucas chimed in with a surprising tidbit:<\/p>\n

\u2018Do you know who\u2019s a massive fan of Steve McFadden?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Who?\u2019 asked Natalie.<\/p>\n

\u2018Tim Burton,\u2019 Matt revealed.<\/p>\n

\u2018Is he really?\u2019 she responded, clearly shocked.<\/p>\n

Lucas went on to explain that he\u2019d worked with the gothic filmmaker and that during their time together, Tim Burton had been \u2018really rhapsodising about Steve McFadden.\u2019<\/p>\n

David Walliams quickly added:<\/p>\n

\u2018Why doesn\u2019t he give Steve McFadden a job?\u2019<\/p>\n

Matt replied,<\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t know, maybe because he was busy at the time in EastEnders.\u2019<\/p>\n

But Walliams wasn\u2019t convinced:<\/p>\n

\u2018I think he\u2019d make himself available.\u2019<\/p>\n

Natalie, ever the joker, seized the moment:<\/p>\n

\u2018If you see Tim Burton again, ask if he\u2019s a fan of me because I\u2019m up for a job.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Natalie
\n\t\tNatalie is definetly up for it! (Picture: @makingascenepod)<\/p>\n

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 <\/a>have become synonymous with EastEnders drama over the years.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just fans who recognise Steve McFadden\u2019s talent. Cassidy\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u2018You\u2019re working over that level of emotion all day long,\u2019 Natalie explained. \u2018You\u2019ve got to keep on top of it\u2026 It\u2019s a skill.\u2019<\/p>\n

Indeed, McFadden has been the backbone of some of EastEnders\u2019 most iconic storylines, from the explosive \u2018Who shot Phil?\u2019 arc to his complex relationships with the Mitchell family. He\u2019s been nominated for and won several soap awards, including an NTA<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"EastEnders,Phil
\n\t\tCould Phil Mitchell Go Hollywood? (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n

While there\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

And as for Natalie Cassidy, she may be looking for a new gig, too, just in case Tim Burton is listening.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Car crash horror rocks Walford as beloved EastEnders legend takes last drive<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: 14 huge showbiz couples who have split up in 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Phil has a huge decision to make in EastEnders as he heads to the airport<\/a><\/p>\n


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