EastEnders’ actor Sam Strike looks unrecognisable as a serial rapist in the new Netflix series Mindhunter
The actor played Johnny Carter in the BBC soap from 2013 until 2014, and is now starring as serial rapist Monte Rissell in Netflix's new cult drama - and he'll soon be starring in a new horror prequel to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
EASTENDERS star Sam Strike looks unrecognisable his new role as a serial rapist in Netflix drama Mindhunter.
The 23-year-old, who played Johnny Carter in the BBC soap from 2013 until 2014, has firmly left Walford behind with his portrayal of Monte Rissell, who had raped and murdered five women by the time he turned 19.
Monte is one of the dangerous convicts interviewed by FBI agents hoping to use their experience to crack current cases in the show, which is based on a true story.
He appears only in the fourth episode of series one, although a fan spotted his IMDB page had been updated to say that he also appears in the first episode of the as-yet-unfilmed second series.
While Rissell is the polar opposite of gentle Johnny, who was recast and is now played by actor Ted Reilly, there are some eerie similarities.
Johnny, the son of Queen Vic landlords Mick and Linda, is studying to be a lawyer - something that Monte claims he would have done had his mum not been given full custody of him when he was seven.
FBI investigators believe that it was his poor relationship with his mum that triggered his hatred for women, and led to him killing and raping innocent victims.
Sam revealed he was leaving EastEnders in 2014, tweeting fans: "Thanks for all the love this year guys. Means the world. Decided to bow out. couldn’t have done it without you all. thanks @bbceastenders."
Some of his most memorable scenes was coming out to dad Mick - played by Danny Dyer - scenes that earnt him huge praise from fans and critics alike.
At the time he said: "I was really nervous the night it aired because you want it to look convincing and to do justice by the people that have been there and done it.
"It was a real proving ground for me because it was the first time I actually had to do any proper drama acting. I’ve had letters and Danny’s had letters saying that we’d helped people to come out and it makes things worth it."
Sam has also scored a leading role in Leatherface, a prequel to Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
He plays the chainsaw-wielding maniac as a young man, and will show how he went from normal child to terrifying mask-wearing murderer.
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