EastEnders star Danny Dyer reveals Mick plot the show turned down
Note: The following article contains discussion of themes including suicide.
Former EastEnders star Danny Dyer has revealed that a storyline involving his character, Mick Carter, was turned down by producers.
The actor appeared on the BBC soap for nine years before his departure on Christmas Day in 2022, with the character last seen going underwater as he attempted to save his wife, Linda.
Though there may have been several dramatic storylines along the way, Dyer revealed in an interview with GQ Magazine that he had originally envisioned Mick’s departure playing out in a different way altogether.
BBC
Related: Danny Dyer talks "stepping out of comfort zone" for new raunchy period drama
“I wanted to do a suicide storyline, where you [the audience] see what’s really going on with Mick but the way he presents himself to everyone else [is different],” said Dyer, referencing the façade people can use to mask their pain.
“No one really lies about being depressed, they lie about being happy. I’ve known a few people that have [died by] suicide – men who I knew well, and I didn’t have a clue. I wanted to go out on something that really shakes the whole soap world and makes people go: ‘Wow, that shit happens – this isn't even far-fetched.’
“They [the producers] to-and-fro’d with it,” he continued. “I begged them. I was like: ‘Please, if we do it right we don't have to see it – but the build-up to it, I think it's f**king important’. [But] they didn't do it.”
BBC
Related: EastEnders provides important Linda update in early iPlayer release
Dyer, who will soon be seen in Marching Powder, recently spoke about the prospect of reprising his role as Mick, explaining an ideal storyline for the soap’s upcoming special live episode, which is being broadcast to celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary.
“I would be up for going back for the 40th anniversary, but nobody’s contacted me,” he said.
EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
We encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Information about how to access support is available via the NHS, and organisations who can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393.
Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
