sam mitchell is the third member of the mitchell family to be introduced, sam first appears as a 15-year-old school girl in july 1990, played by danniella westbrook. westbrook quit in 1993, but was reintroduced from 1995–1996 and from 1999–2000. in 2002, the character is reintroduced for a fourth time, but the role was recast to another actress, kim medcalf. medcalf left the role in 2005. however, in september 2009, westbrook reprised her role as sam for several months, departing in january 2010. she returns again from august until september 2010 and again from 30 june to 8 july 2016.