Billy Mitchell (EastEnders) revealed in 2006 that the role was extended by "coincidence and chance": "I was offered four episodes and here I am, about 800 later. [...] Ross Kemp (Grant) said that he was leaving, and there was a gap in the Mitchell family, so they brought me back to do stuff towards his leaving. After that they offered me a year." Billy was reintroduced in 1999, making recurring appearances. He was involved in the leaving storyline of Grant Mitchell in October 1999, before returning later in the year as a regular character. When Billy was first introduced, he was depicted as
Steve Owen (EastEnders) by another actor Steve Owen (EastEnders) Steve Owen is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera "EastEnders", played by Martin Kemp. He appeared onscreen from 28 December 1998 until 1 March 2002. Introduced by series producer Matthew Robinson, Steve was a shady businessman who soon became one of the show's primary villains. His first major storyline saw him murder old flame Saskia Duncan and frame Matthew Rose (Joe Absolom) for the crime. The episode in which Matthew enacted revenge on Steve drew in outstanding viewing figures and brought a storyline that had gripped the nation to a close. Afterwards