EastEnders star Max Murray has reprised his role as troublemaker Joel Marshall, but his real age and famous family connections have left fans astonished. While Joel is portrayed as a 15-year-old secondary school pupil, Max is actually 18 and will turn 19 in August.
Max Murray's Real Age
Last year, Max's mother, Gina, marked her son's 18th birthday with a collection of touching photographs on social media, writing: "Max is 18! Happy birthday! Now both my boys are men! ....Enjoy this special day and may it lead to many, many more fabulous days ahead." She continued: "I feel so very fortunate to have TWO gorgeous young men I can call my own. Remember that you always make me proud.... In good times AND in the more difficult ones.... I Love You, Max @maxmurray.official."
However, amid the birthday celebrations, some EastEnders viewers found themselves confused about Max's actual age. Social media lit up with remarks such as: "He's 16, his mother is also an actress." Another viewer questioned: "Joel is 14/15/16, his real age is 15-18?", whilst someone else pondered: "Max Murray must be around 16?" One fan jokingly scolded a photograph of Max in character as Joel, commenting, "You aren't old enough to be in a pub! Get out! @ginamurraywoman tell him! I'm not willing to age, so neither can Max!"
Max Murray's Famous Family
Away from the BBC soap, actor Max has a genuine connection with on-screen mum Cleo, as she happens to be his aunt. Mazz Murray, who plays Cleo, is most recognised for her theatre work, having portrayed Donna Sheridan in the West End production of Mamma Mia: The Musical for six years. During the two years before that, she took on the role of Tanya in the same production. Additional roles include Mama Morton in Chicago, Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, and Maureen in Rent.
Long-standing EastEnders fans might also remember her as Julie, a woman who hired Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) through an escort agency in 2017, and, 13 years earlier, she appeared as Miranda across two episodes. Mazz also portrayed a shop assistant in Ben Elton's sitcom Blessed and, earlier in her career, secured a guest spot on The Bill.
Max's mum, Gina Murray, is also an actress and kicked off her television career with The Bill back in 1994. The 52-year-old, who is also Mazz's sister, has appeared on television in several celebrated shows, including Doctors, Judge John Deed, and played Lesley Stobbart in ITV's factual drama The Hunt for Raoul Moat in 2023. In 2014, she featured in EastEnders as Helen, a consultant who came to assist Carol Jackson in selecting a wig after she lost her hair while battling cancer. Gina is also an experienced stage performer, having starred in shows including Mamma Mia!, Chicago, The Full Monty, Fame, and Hairspray. She has also provided voices for characters in various video games, including RoboCop: Rogue City and Baldur's Gate 3.
Gina and Mazz are the daughters of songwriter and producer Mitch Murray and actress Grazina Frame, who is recognised for her roles on The Morecambe and Wise Show, where she was a fixture between 1971 and 1974, plus The Fenn Street Gang, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), amongst other programmes. Grazina's abilities span both theatre and cinema.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer.
