EastEnders' Michelle Fowler Star: A Remarkable Career Transformation
The iconic BBC soap opera EastEnders is welcoming back a familiar face with a fresh twist, as Mark Fowler Jr prepares to return to Albert Square later this month. This comeback coincides with renewed interest in the actress who originally played his on-screen mother, Susan Tully, whose own journey from Walford star to behind-the-scenes powerhouse represents one of British television's most fascinating career evolutions.
The Return of Mark Fowler Jr to Walford
Three decades after Michelle Fowler departed Walford to give birth to Mark Fowler Jr, the character is making a dramatic return to the BBC soap. The role has been recast, with Stephen Aaron-Sipple taking over from previous portrayer Ned Porteous, who played Mark in 2016. Aaron-Sipple made his first appearance during the New Year's Day flashforward episode, immediately positioning him at the centre of the Brannings' escalating family drama.
Mark Fowler Jr holds a particularly complex place in EastEnders' intricate family tree. As the offspring of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Michelle Fowler, he is half-sibling to both Vicki and Courtney Mitchell. His arrival followed Michelle's secretive departure from Albert Square in 1995, when she relocated to America while concealing her pregnancy from the Mitchell clan. Mark was born the following year in 1996, setting the stage for his eventual return to Walford for a highly anticipated reunion with his half-sister Vicki.
Susan Tully's Journey from Michelle Fowler to Acclaimed Director
While her on-screen son prepares for his Walford comeback, the actress who originally brought Michelle Fowler to life has undergone a remarkable transformation of her own. Susan Tully first appeared as Michelle when EastEnders debuted in February 1985, portraying the perpetually unlucky-in-love daughter of Pauline and Arthur Fowler for an entire decade. During her tenure, she was central to numerous high-profile storylines that captivated British audiences.
Her character's most notorious storyline involved an illicit affair with Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham), the father of her best friend Sharon Watts, which resulted in the birth of Vicki Fowler. Michelle also found romance with gentle barman Lofty Holloway before her eventual departure from Walford in 1995, when she left for America with Vicki while secretly pregnant with Grant Mitchell's child.
From Acting to Directing: A Successful Career Pivot
Following her exit from EastEnders, Susan Tully made the decisive choice to step away from acting entirely, instead carving out an impressive career behind the camera. She transitioned into directing, bringing her intimate understanding of television drama to numerous beloved British series. Her directing portfolio showcases remarkable range and accomplishment across multiple genres and formats.
Notable directing credits include:
- The Bill and London's Burning
- Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Silent Witness
- Stella and Britannia
- Line of Duty and Strike
- Maryland and Too Close
Now aged 58, Tully continues to build her directing reputation, most recently working on episodes for the second series of Sky Atlantic's critically acclaimed drama Tin Star. Her transformation extends beyond her career, with her current chic bob hairstyle presenting a stark contrast to Michelle Fowler's iconic shoulder-length curls that became so familiar to EastEnders viewers throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Fan Reactions and Character Legacy
Recent photographs of Susan Tully have surprised fans with her changed appearance, particularly a snap showing her beaming alongside EastEnders' Cindy Beale actress Michelle Collins. Despite her successful directing career, many loyal viewers still express hope for her return to the soap as Michelle Fowler. However, the director has firmly stated she has no intention of reprising the role that launched her television career.
When executive producers decided to bring back Michelle Fowler in 2016, then-executive director Sean O'Connor confirmed that Susan Tully had given her blessing for the character's return without her involvement. The role was subsequently handed to actress Jenna Russell, marking Michelle Fowler's comeback to Walford after a 21-year absence while honouring Tully's decision to remain behind the camera.
As EastEnders continues to evolve with new characters and returning favourites, the parallel stories of Mark Fowler Jr's homecoming and Susan Tully's successful career transformation remind viewers of the soap's enduring legacy and the fascinating journeys of those who have contributed to its history. EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer, continuing to blend fresh drama with nostalgic connections to its rich past.
