Ross Kemp Says ‘EastEnders’ Helped Change British Society

Ross Kemp believes EastEnders has played a major role in shaping modern Britain. The 60-year-old actor, best known for playing Grant Mitchell since 1990, praised the long-running BBC One soap for breaking boundaries and addressing taboo topics.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Kemp highlighted the groundbreaking work of EastEnders co-creator Julia Smith, one of the few female producers in television at the time.

“When EastEnders launched in 1985, Julia was among the rare women in such roles. Back then, women weren’t even allowed to read the news on TV,” he said. “She cast families from Turkish, Asian, and Black British backgrounds and tackled issues like alcoholism in women—things you rarely, if ever, saw on television.”

He added, “When the show featured a gay kiss, it caused such an uproar that questions were raised in parliament. Mary Whitehouse even campaigned to have it taken off air. But we’ve come a long way, and I truly believe EastEnders played a part in that progress.”

Over the years, EastEnders has explored major social issues, including HIV awareness—highlighted in 1991 when the character Mark Fowler revealed his diagnosis—as well as domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Kemp continued, “EastEnders has educated the public. It’s delivered important messages without people even realizing they were being informed. From HIV to domestic violence and sexual abuse, the show has covered it all. I’m incredibly proud of what it’s achieved.”

In recent years, Ross Kemp has found new popularity as the host of BBC One’s quiz show Bridge of Lies, which first aired in March 2022. The program challenges contestants to separate truth from lies while crossing a bridge of trivia-based stepping stones.

“The reaction has been amazing,” he said. “When I’m at the supermarket now, it’s Bridge of Lies people talk to me about—not EastEnders or my documentaries. Even at the checkout, people bring it up.”

While some fans still remember him as Grant Mitchell, Kemp admits those interactions are becoming fewer. “People still mention Grant occasionally, but not as much as before.”