EastEnders star Steve McFadden to head up the cast in Royal & Derngate’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast this Christmas

Famous for his role as Phil Mitchell in BBC’s EastEnders, Steve will be swapping Albert Square for the Derngate stage this Christmas, where he will appear as the boo-able panto baddie that everyone will love to hate. Steve has been on our screens in EastEnders for over 36 years and has led many high-profile storylines, receiving accolades including the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement and the National Television Award for Outstanding Serial Performance in 2025.

Further exciting casting will be announced soon.

Building on the success of last year’s smash hit The All New Adventures of Peter Pan and 2024’s Cinderella, which won for Best Choreography in the UK Pantomime Awards, Royal & Derngate are pleased to be continuing their ongoing partnership with pantomime producers Evolution Productions. A family business, run by husband and wife Paul Hendy and Emily Wood, Evolution are delighted to have won ‘Pantomime of the Year’ at the UK Pantomime Awards in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2025. Paul also won ‘Best Script’ for Aladdin in 2024.

As always, the Royal & Derngate pantomime promises to be top-quality, hilarious, 5-star entertainment, packed with laugh-out-loud thrills, stunning costumes, lavish sets and fabulous music.

Holly Gladwell, Royal & Derngate’s Deputy CEO (Programming and Producing), said: “We’re delighted to have Steve McFadden joining our panto cast this year, and to be working with the same fantastic team that have made our pantomimes such a success over the last five years. Christmas is such a special time of year and it’s always a joy to see so many children introduced to the magic of theatre.”

Emily Wood added: "We're thrilled the brilliant Steve McFadden will star in Beauty and the Beast. Steve is not only a TV legend and genuine national treasure, but he’s also a superb pantomime baddie. We know Royal & Derngate audiences are going to love him in what promises to be a spectacular show that's definitely not to be missed."

Beauty and the Beast will run from Friday 4 to Thursday 31 December. Tickets – priced from just £14* – can be booked online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/beauty-and-the-beast or by calling Box Office on 01604 624811. Concessions, Groups, Schools and Members discounts are available. A range of access enhanced performances will be on offer including Captioned, Audio Described, BSL Interpreted and Relaxed performances. Pre-show afternoon teas are also available for selected performances for a truly magical festive outing.

* A non-refundable £4 per-transaction fee applies for bookings of £20 and over. Does not apply to Groups and Members. Prices may change subject to availability.