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Kim Medcalf - Biography

The actress best known for playing the feisty Sam Mitchell in EastEnders was born in 1973

Kim Medcalf smiling on a red carpet
Hannah Watkin
Content Writer
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Kim Louise Medcalf was born in Bromley, London on 8 December 1973. The EastEnders actress studied Law at Bristol University, but after graduating decided to enroll on an eight-month speech and drama course. 

EastEnders

Kim got her first acting job in August 2001, appearing in the musical One Touch of Venus, then leapt to fame the following year when, after attending an audition for a mystery role, she won the part of Sam Mitchell in EastEnders. Kim remained on the popular BBC soap until 2005, when she filmed what she thought would be her final scenes in November 2005. However, Kim's iteration of Sam returned to the screen in April 2022.

Singing

Having showcased her vocal talents at the soap's Christmas party, Kim became a contestant on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy in February 2005, coming second behind DJ Edith Bowman. Then in September 2005 she expanded her musical experience by taking part in the BBC Family Prom in Hyde Park where again she got the chance to show her superb mezzo-soprano vocals. 

Theatre work

In 2005, Kim appeared in stage versions of Margaret Atwood's novel The Penelopiad and South Pacific, going on in 2006 to deliver an acclaimed performance alongside actress Dame Judi Dench in a four-month run of Noel Coward's play Hay Fever. She followed this up in April 2007 by playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret, which also earned her strong reviews, and a short spell in The Vagina Monologues. She starred in Arts Theatre London's production of The Great Gatsby in 2015.

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