As Mark Fowler Jr returns to Walford to be with his sister Vicki, let’s see what the actress who played their on-screen mother, Michelle, is doing these days.
Mark Fowler Jr is set to return to the BBC soap, joining his older sister Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and the Mitchell family later this month.
The role of Mark is now played by Stephen Aaron-Sipple, taking over from Emmerdale’s Ned Porteous, who portrayed the character in 2016. Stephen made his first appearance on EastEnders during the recent New Year’s Day flashforward episode, placing him at the centre of the Brannings’ mounting drama.
Mark is the son of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Michelle Fowler, making him the half-brother of Vicki and Courtney Mitchell. In 1995, Albert Square said goodbye to Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully), who moved to America while keeping her pregnancy with Grant’s child a secret. Mark was born the following year, in 1996.
As Mark Jr prepares to return to Walford to reunite with Vicki, let’s catch up with Susan Tully, the actress who played their on-screen mother, Michelle, reports OK!
So, who was Michelle Fowler in EastEnders?
Michelle Fowler was the love-struck daughter of Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) and Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher), and the sister of Mark (Todd Carty) and Martin (James Bye). The character was originally portrayed by Susan Tully when EastEnders first aired in February 1985. She made her debut in Walford at just 17, following her role as Suzanne Ross in Grange Hill.
Susan played Michelle for ten years, becoming embroiled in numerous dramatic storylines, from teenage pregnancy to secret affairs with married men, including the infamous Walford resident Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham).
Her affair with Den, who was also the father of her best friend Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), led to the birth of baby Vicki Fowler on Albert Square.
Michelle also experienced romance with the kind-hearted barman Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt), but her future lay beyond Walford.
In 1995, she left Walford, taking Vicki with her to America to start a new life, after falling pregnant with Grant’s child, whom she named Mark in memory of her late brother.
So why did Susan Tully leave EastEnders?
Susan decided to step away from the BBC soap and acting entirely, instead building a successful career behind the camera.
She moved into directing, working on TV favourites such as The Bill, London’s Burning, and even EastEnders. Her extensive credits also include Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Silent Witness, Stella, Britannia, Line of Duty, and more recently, Strike, Maryland, and Too Close.
Now 58, Susan has directed episodes for the second series of Sky Atlantic’s Tin Star. These days, she sports a stylish bob, a striking change from Michelle’s signature shoulder-length curls.
Fans were surprised by Susan’s new look in a recent photo, where she was seen smiling in a white tee and black pinafore dress alongside EastEnders’ Cindy Beale, played by Michelle Collins.
Even with her success behind the camera, many fans remain eager to see her reprise the role of Michelle Fowler.
However, Susan has made it clear that she has no plans to return to the soap. When the decision was made to bring Michelle back in 2016, then-executive producer Sean O’Connor confirmed that Susan had given her blessing for the character to return without her.
The role was subsequently recast with Jenna Russell, marking Michelle Fowler’s return to EastEnders after a 21-year absence.
- General Hospital spoilers reveal Willow mocks Drew for taking his congressional seat.
- Coronation Street actor returns to filming 12 years after first appearance on the soap.
- EastEnders actor announces engagement to girlfriend 20 years his junior following marriage split.
- Emmerdale farm crisis after barn falls, sparking concerns over potential deaths
- Fugitive resembling Ian Beale wanted for allegedly scamming elderly women out of £400k
