EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has revealed that Phil Mitchell is her biggest TV villain and has spoken out about how he makes her want to be a better actress.
Natalie, who has played Sonia Fowler on the soap since 1993, admitted she herself is scared of Phil, played by Steve McFadden, and described how he “takes over the room” during filming.
Speaking on the BBC Sounds podcast Off TV: What are we going to watch? With Joanna Page, Natalie said: ‘For me the villain of television is Phil Mitchell.
“I don’t care who’s listening, I don’t care what soap opera you’re on, but I know I’m biased, but I think Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, is the best villain on television.”
Confessing that she herself is afraid of the famous soap opera villain, she added: “He is very good at what he does, and I am afraid of Phil.”
Natalie Cassidy has named Phil Mitchell the best TV villain of all time and revealed what it’s REALLY like to work with the iconic soap actor.
Natalie, who has played Sonia Fowler in the soap since 1993, admitted she is even scared of Phil (pictured), played by Steve McFadden, as she described how he “takes over the room” during filming.
A shocked Joanna replied: “What about you?”, while Natalie added: “Yeah. I’m really good friends with Steve, but as soon as I walk on set and Phil’s there, I can’t help but not be afraid of him.”
Seeking more information, Joanna: ‘What is he like? Does he change?’
“Yes, of course, absolutely. I think it commands respect and commands the place,” Natalie explained.
‘In some ways, I think for me personally, Steve is one of the best actors I’ve ever worked with, just because I want to be at the top, I want to be at the top of my game.
‘I just want to do the best I can when I’m around him because he’s so good.
“And I think Phil as a character, what he’s been through. Affairs, prison, alcoholism, heroin addiction, crack addiction… I think he’s done it all.”
“He’s trashed the pub, he’s set fire to everything, himself and his brother Grant. But he’s stood the test of time and I think he’s really brilliant and he’s my favourite TV villain.”
And even Natalie’s character Sonia has faced her wrath when she added: ‘Sonia and Phil have had their fair share of tears in their lives.
In an interview with BBC Sounds’ Off the Telly: What shall we watch? podcast with Joanna Page, Natalie said: “I don’t care who’s listening, I don’t care what soap you’re on, but I know I’m biased, but I think Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, is the best villain on TV.”
Even Natalie’s character Sonia has faced her wrath, as she added: “Sonia and Phil have had their fair share of tears in their lives” (pictured).
She added: “I think Phil, as a character, what he’s been through. Love affairs, prison, alcoholism, heroin addiction and crack addiction… I think he’s done it all.”
One of Phil’s most iconic stories was in 2001, when the famous soap opera actor was hit by a bullet in a scene watched by almost 20 million viewers.
“How was that?” Joanna asked.
“Incredible actually…” How long ago was it? 20 years ago? We’re going back a good 20 years. And I had helped Lisa escape, to run away, and Phil came to the door and kicked it down and said, “WHERE’S MY BABY? WHERE’S LISA?! WHERE’S SHE?!”
“And Sonia was like, ‘I don’t know, I don’t know.’ We did all that kind of stuff, you know, he was pushing me and it was great. He was screaming and I was like, ‘Now I’ve done it.'”
He added: “Once you’ve done a scene like that with Steve McFadden, you’ve done it.”
One of Phil’s most iconic stories was in 2001, when…The famous soap opera actor was hit by a bullet in a scene watched by almost 20 million viewers.
For a month, fans theorised about who would have the courage to try and kill Phil, and there was a long list of suspects as he had managed to make enemies across most of Walford.
Five weeks after the shooting aired, viewers learned that the culprit was Lisa (Lucy Benjamin), who admitted to trying to kill him in a fit of crazed rage.
The episode had such an impact that the UEFA Cup semi-final was postponed by 15 minutes to allow the episode to be broadcast.
