• Charlotte Michaels (1997–1998) • Carissa & Josephine O'Meara (1998–1999) •
Megan Jossa (2006) •
Alice Nokes (2016) }} }}
Courtney Mitchell is the daughter of characters
Grant Mitchell (
Ross Kemp) and
Tiffany Mitchell (
Martine McCutcheon). From her on-screen birth in 1997 until 1998, Courtney is played by Charlotte Michaels. Identical twins Carissa and Josephine O'Meara later took over the role. The character was written out of the soap when Kemp decided to quit. When Grant and Courtney return in 2006, Courtney is played by
Megan Jossa until they depart once again in June that year. Courtney made an unannounced return on 4 August 2016, played by
Alice Nokes, and departed on 9 September 2016. Courtney is born prematurely by
caesarean section in March 1997. At first it is unknown whether her father is Grant or
Tony Hills (
Mark Homer), but a DNA test reveals that Grant is her father. Grant and Tiffany separate and Tiffany is about to leave with Courtney on New Year's Eve 1998, but while chasing Grant who has snatched Courtney, Tiffany is struck and killed by
Frank Butcher's (
Mike Reid) car. Grant and Courtney move to
Rio de Janeiro in October 1999, and Courtney lives with her dad and stepmother
Carla Mitchell (
Christianne Oliveira). Courtney returns to London on 27 March 2006 with Grant. Beyond mischievous, Courtney often refuses to do as she is told, backtalks, and argues with her cousin
Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones) which includes a schism between Peggy and Phil when the latter creates a
family tree. Ben actually tells Courtney that her father killed her mother. Initially she refuses to believe Grant's claim that Tiffany's death was an accident. When Grant's wife Carla arrives, Courtney shows her blatant dislike. Grant decides that they should move to
Portugal for a fresh start. But he dumps Carla on 9 June 2006 after discovering that she plans to fleece him and run off with another man, so just Grant and Courtney move to Portugal. In 2010, Courtney is heard on the phone to talking to her grandmother
Peggy Mitchell (
Barbara Windsor). In August 2016, Courtney reads a text on Grant's phone from his sister-in-law and former wife,
Sharon Mitchell (
Letitia Dean), and meets her at a café, saying that Grant is not coming. Courtney asks why she and Grant were not invited to Peggy's funeral, to which Sharon says that they were. Courtney follows Sharon to the police station, where she sees Grant outside. Grant tells Courtney he got arrested for being drunk and rude to a police officer and takes an instant dislike to
Belinda Peacock (
Carli Norris) when Grant flirts with her. When they talk about the past, Grant tells Courtney that his brother
Phil Mitchell (
Steve McFadden) killed Peggy. Courtney storms off when Grant gets angry about her meeting Sharon. Annoyed with the lack of attention from Grant, Courtney refuses to let him stay with her. Courtney visits Phil and Sharon to see if they have heard from Grant as he owes her money, and Sharon gives Courtney some money. Courtney tells Sharon she knows what Phil did to Peggy, but Sharon tells her it is not true. Courtney takes a liking to
Mark Fowler (
Ned Porteous), not knowing he is her half-brother, and they both admit at
Shakil Kazemi's (
Shaheen Jafargholi) party they like each other.
Louise Mitchell (
Tilly Keeper) tells Sharon about them, prompting her and
Ian Beale (
Adam Woodyatt) to find them. Sharon, Ian and Phil find out nothing happened between Courtney and Mark. Courtney and Louise merely become witnesses when the Mitchell house is being broken into in order for Ben and
Jay Brown (
Jamie Borthwick) to be kidnapped. Courtney and Louise both hide in the bedroom and in the midst of the panic, Courtney rings Grant for help during the struggle. Shortly afterwards Mark comforts Courtney only to be confronted by Grant who assumes he is one of the attackers. Grant tells Courtney that he is going back to Portugal and Courtney pretends not to care but later she catches up with Grant at the tube station and decides to go to Portugal with him.
Development The character was originally played by infant Charlotte Mitchell from her on-screen birth until 1998. Mitchell was replaced by eighteen month old twins Carissa and Josephine O'Meara, after her persistent crying disrupted filming. A show spokesperson told Steven Murphy of
Inside Soap that having twins play the role was better than relying on one baby all the time. Jossa was surprised at her casting, saying: "I couldn't believe it when I heard I had got the part... it's going to be amazing and I can't wait." Described as "charming, intelligent yet spoilt", Courtney "loves being the centre of attention and hates sharing the spotlight with anyone". Of her casting in 2016, Nokes said, "I was so excited [when I got the part]! To be a part of such an experienced cast and in one of the most renowned families in British soaps... it was a dream come true!" Nokes confirmed she would appear in "a few episodes" and was not sure if she would return in the future, although Nokes seems keen to reprise the role on a full-time basis. ==Polly Becker==