EastEnders star Max Murray has returned to the set of the BBC soap with a dramatic new look, having shaved off his character Joel Marshall's signature long hair. Joel, who was sent to a young offenders unit after violently attacking his step-mum Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig), is now sporting a buzz cut, a stark contrast to his previous curtained hairstyle that drew comparisons to 2000s boyband members.
Joel's Incel Plotline Reaches a Violent Peak
Joel's storyline, which explored themes of radical misogyny and incel culture, culminated in him knocking Vicki unconscious and filming her lifeless body while spewing hateful rhetoric. The attack came after a series of escalating incidents, including upskirting a schoolmate in Australia, secretly filming his intimate encounter with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James), posting the video online, and sexually assaulting a commuter on the London Underground.
According to the show, Joel's parents, Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) and Vicki, had fled Australia after Joel upskirted a classmate. To avoid police involvement, the victim's parents agreed to a $50,000 payment and the family's departure from the country. Despite Ross's hopes for a fresh start in Walford, Joel continued consuming content from misogynistic influencers and indoctrinating fellow teen Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall).
Sentencing and Release
Joel initially pleaded not guilty, forcing Vicki to testify in court. However, after a conversation with his father, he unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to six months in a young offenders unit. His release this week brings him back to Albert Square, where residents are bracing for his return.
Vicki had made it clear she would not live under the same roof as Joel, leading Ross to agree that upon release, Joel would live with his mother, Cleo. Next week's episodes show the news of Joel's release spreading, with Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan-Levy) trying to reassure Avani that he won't return to the Square. When Joel does reappear, Vicki seeks support from her half-sister Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), leading to confrontations with a terrified Avani and Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd).
Community Backlash
The entire community is against Joel, raising questions about whether his return will be fleeting. The storyline has been praised for tackling difficult issues but also sparked debate among viewers about the portrayal of incel culture on a mainstream soap.
