The Secret Mitchell



"The Secret Mitchell" was a storyline of the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders which involved Ronnie Mitchell and Danielle Jones.

Background
In March 2008, Ronnie Mitchell revealed that age 14 she had given birth to a daughter who her father Archie had given away just hours after being born. After he returned with Peggy in July 2008 announcing their engagement. Ronnie grew distant from her father and aunt. Then in August 2008, a mysterious character Danielle Jones appeared becoming friends with Stacey Slater. It was quickly learned that Danielle was actually Amy the daughter that Ronnie had given up as a teenager. In October 2008 after arguing with Ronnie due to Stacey threw water over her for not letting them attend a VIP event at R&R, she went back to the Slater's and collapsed on the floor crying and revealed that she had the other locket identical to Ronnie's. She then tried to get close to Ronnie but with failed attempts leading to her sleeping with a barman at R&R on December 23, 2008. Then in January 2009, she discovered she was pregnant. She confided in Ronnie who told her that she had given away a baby once, not realising that she was talking to that baby. Danielle and Ronnie then decided that she should have an abortion, even after her adoptive father Andy tried to persuade her not too, she went ahead with it on January 20, 2009 nearly telling Ronnie her true identity. After deciding to leave Walford and return home to Telford she left deciding that Ronnie would not want her in her life.

She however returned in February, Danielle confided in Stacey that Ronnie is her mother, but stated that she is trying to find the right time to tell her. She was furious when Stacey kissed Paul and tells him about her abortion, even more so when Stacey threatened to tell Ronnie the truth. Danielle pinned Stacey to the wall and warned her off this course of action, but began to make attempts to reveal her true identity to Ronnie. She became increasingly angry with her mother, going as far as to daub "evil cow" on her front door. Danielle decided that she would tell Ronnie who she really is, and then leave Walford for good, but was stopped by Archie who discovered she is his granddaughter. He had previously lied to Ronnie that Amy had died as an infant, so in order to preserve his story, he convinces Danielle that Ronnie suffers from depression, and she should keep quiet until he decides the time is right to make her revelation.

The Reveal
During the end of March, Danielle grew more and more desperate to tell Ronnie even believing that when she told her she would be a bridesmaid at Archie and Peggy's wedding. Then on March 31 (although set on April 1) Archie prepared to kill Danielle by strangling her to death, he however failed and told Danielle to leave for good. Danielle didn't however and on the wedding day placed her locket in Ronnie's wine glass and attempted to leave with Amy she then admitted after a seven month silence. That she was her daughter. Ronnie refused to believe her and helped her father throw her out claiming 'Who would want to have a daughter like you!'. Danielle then found Stacey and planned to leave just as Ronnie discovered the locket in her wine glass. Ronnie then chased after Danielle accepting her and just as Danielle was running towards her she was hit by Janine Butcher in her car. She then lay in Ronnie's arms as Ronnie sobbed and told her she loved her just as her aunt Roxy appeared and she died with all her new found family around her.

Promotion and Creation
Crace has revealed that she was not initially aware her character would transpire to be the long-lost daughter of Ronnie Mitchell. She has stated: "It’s been difficult, because as soon as I was cast people were thinking I was Ronnie’s daughter, especially my own family and people on the street. I’ve maintained that Ronnie’s daughter is no longer alive and I haven’t revealed a thing. Being part of such a big storyline is exciting and challenging for any actress. During the audition process I didn’t know much - it was only when I was cast I was told about Danielle, Ronnie and the back story". With regards to Danielle finding her birth mother, Crace has explained: "When Danielle's adoptive mother died, she thought it was time to find out who her real mother was. She always knew she was adopted. She also had a locket with a picture of Ronnie in it that was given to her when she was put up for adoption. She went to the adoption agency and found out that Ronnie had also been looking for her - the agency then gave her details of her mother’s whereabouts." Questioned on whether she thought Danielle hoped to have a relationship with Ronnie, she responded: "Deep down, absolutely... she’s completely intrigued by Ronnie and the Mitchell clan, but at the same time very nervous of them. In her head she thinks they are too different and Ronnie would be disappointed to know she was her daughter".

The relationship between the two was damaged when Ronnie encouraged Danielle to have an abortion, but failed to attend her second clinic appointment. Danielle was, in Crace's opinion, "hurt and distraught", describing the development as "a step back for Danielle" whereby "she probably feels less willing than ever to tell Ronnie the truth than before". On Ronnie's part, Samantha Janus assessed that "Ronnie knows she wants to help this young girl but she's not sure why they have this bond". She explained: "Ronnie knows that Danielle is very vulnerable and is in Walford with no family and only a few friends. As Ronnie gave her a job in R&R maybe she thinks that Danielle interpreted that that as more than it was." Asked if Ronnie had noticed the resemblance between herself and Danielle, Janus responded: "She has never thought about any resemblance - why would she? As far as Ronnie is aware her baby passed away so the thought would never have crossed her mind."

Following Archie Mitchell’s discovery that Danielle is his granddaughter, he lies to her that Ronnie is suffering from depression. Crace commented that her character "thinks that’s why [Ronnie] is always so hot and cold with her […] she takes it upon herself to try to look after Ronnie and help her to get well again." She offered the insight that although Danielle sees Archie as “a domineering figure”, she initially trusts him and believes he will reunite her with her mother when the time is right. However, as time passes, "she starts to see Archie’s true colours and is scared by this different side to him." Asked how Danielle feels about being accepted into the Mitchell family, Crace explained: "When she first came to Albert Square, Danielle didn’t really know what to expect. For one this, she never thought her mum would be so young and attractive and own a night club. That’s pretty cool! But she is so pleased that Ronnie is her mother and can’t wait for her secret to be revealed at last." On Danielle's relationship with Ronnie, Crace expanded: "Those two have such a turbulent relationshop - one minute Ronnie's really nice to Danielle, the next she's ignoring her and calling her a freak. But at the end of the day, Ronnie's her mum, and deep down, that's all Danielle has ever wanted."

Danielle's Diary
The BBC used viral promotion on the EastEnders homepage to further develop the character of Danielle. A new section named 'Danielle's Diary' was launched, encompassing events in the show from 6 October 2008 onwards, written in diary style from Danielle's point of view. Insight was given into the character's thoughts on feelings on the events surrounding her each week, beginning with the introduction: "Bit new to all this. Need some way to clear my head though. Can't really talk to Stace. Or Callum. Or anyone. Maybe if I write it all down, my head won't explode… Anyway, welcome to my life in Walford." In this manner, viewers were able to keep up with the character during her temporary absence from the show in February 2009, when she returned home to Telford following her abortion: "Back in Dawley. Feels strange to be away from Stacey... away from R&R... away from Ronnie. Been sleeping a lot - so tired. When I was younger I never dreamt that I’d go through all of this. Stace keeps ringing, but I can’t speak to anyone. I can’t even listen to my voicemail", and were privy to Danielle's internal worries about her relationship with Ronnie: "It's like I scare R. It was as though she scared herself, as she actually admitted that she cared. For about ten seconds I felt close to her again. Like watching the sun appear from behind a cloud… feeling the warmth across your skin again. But, then it disappears as another cloud sweeps over it."