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Privacy NoticeEastEnders first landed on our screens back in 1985 and it has remained a firm favourite among soap fans ever since. The hit BBC One soap has introduced a number of iconic families over the years, from the Beales to the Mitchells, but one of the very first was the Fowlers. When EastEnders first launched, the Fowler family consisted of Pauline and Arthur, portrayed by Wendy Richard and Bill Treacher, along with the couple’s three children Mark (David Scarboro), Michelle (Susan Tully) and Martin (Jon Peyton Price). The family were at the centre of many dramatic storylines, and numerous actors have come and gone throughout the years. So, where are the Fowler family now? Let’s take a look…
The Fowler family were introduced as part of the original EastEnders line-up in 1985
(Image: Getty)
Mark Fowler Jr Mark Fowler Jr was born in 1996, after Michelle Fowler enjoyed a one-night stand with Grant Mitchell. The character hadn’t appeared in the BBC One soap until 2016, when Ned Porteous took on the role of Mark. Ned enjoyed a short stint in Walford, before heading over to ITV to star in Emmerdale as Joe Tate for two years.
Ned Porteous previously starred in the hit BBC soap
(Image: WireImage)
Ned portrayed Mark Fowler Jr in EastEnders.
(Image: BBC)
More recently, the actor starred in the first season of hit Netflix series Bridgerton as Lord Wetherby. Ned’s character featured in three episodes of the drama, as the secret lover of famed artist Henry Granville. The star also had roles in Holby City and Suspects. Mark Fowler Jr was last seen in EastEnders in September 2016, and after discovering that Grant is his real father, Mark headed back to America to join his mum Michelle and step-dad Tim. Michelle Fowler Michelle Fowler was one of the first characters to be introduced on EastEnders, alongside her parents Pauline and Arthur and two brothers, Mark and Martin. The feisty character was portrayed by Susan Tully, who took on the role for 10 years, starring on screen from 1985 until 1995.
Susan Tully starred in EastEnders as Michelle Fowler
(Image: Getty)
The star then decided to swap acting for directing, and has gone on to work on shows including The Bill, Silent Witness and Line of Duty. Soap bosses tried to get Susan to return to EastEnders on a number of occasions, but the former actress repeatedly turned down the offers. In 2016, it was revealed that actress Jenna Russell would take over the role of Michelle, with the character preparing to make an explosive return to Albert Square that same year. Jenna boasts an impressive acting career, and was even nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Sarah Brown in West End production Guys and Dolls. She took on the role of Michelle from December 2016 until April 2018, with the character finding herself at the centre of many dramatic storylines. Mark Fowler Michelle’s brother Mark Fowler was also part of the original EastEnders line-up, with actor David Scarboro portraying the teenager. David quit the soap just two years later after refusing to participate in a racist storyline, with his final appearance on screen airing on Christmas Day in 1987. In 1988, David was tragically found dead in East Sussex, aged just 20 years old.
David Scarboro portrayed Mark Fowler in EastEnders
(Image: Getty)
Following David’s death, Todd Carty took on the role of Mark in EastEnders. The actor starred in the soap for 13 years, before announcing his departure in 2003. Todd has also starred in shows such as Grange Hill and Tucker’s Luck, and he previously portrayed PC Gabriel Kent in The Bill. He’s no stranger to reality TV, and has appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice over the years.
Todd Carty played Mark Fowler for 13 years
(Image: Getty)
Todd proved to be a hit with viewers thanks to his hilarious performances on both Strictly and Dancing On Ice. Away from TV, Todd is married to wife Dina Clarkin, and the couple share two sons, James and Thomas. Pauline Fowler Matriarch of the Fowler clan, Pauline Fowler was one of EastEnders’ most iconic characters, and was portrayed by actress Wendy Richard. Wendy remained on the hit soap for 21 years, and her character sadly passed away in 2006. The actress first appeared on TV in 1960 in Sammy Meets The Girls, before going on to top the charts alongside Mike Sarne with their hit pop song Come Outside.
Wendy Richard and Bill Treacher played Pauline and Arthur Fowler
(Image: ANL/REX/Shutterstock)
Wendy soon became a regular on TV, with roles in BBC soap The Newcomers, Dad’s Army, Up Pompeii! and The Likely Lads. Her role in Are You Being Served? saw her become a household name, and she soon went on the land her iconic EastEnders role. In 2000, Wendy was awarded the MBE for services to television, followed by a British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2007 for her soap role. Just two years later, the star sadly passed away at the age of 65 following a a long battle with cancer. Her funeral saw over 100 EastEnders cast members come together. Arthur Fowler Pauline’s husband Arthur was portrayed by Bill Treacher, who was the first ever person to be cast for EastEnders. Bill stayed on the soap for 11 years, before going on to star in numerous hit series and shows. Following his departure from EastEnders in 1996, Bill famous said: “by the time I finished, even the theme music was making me feel ill.”
Bill Treacher played Arthur Fowler for 11 years
(Image: BBC)
The actor went on to star in titles such as The Bill and Casualty, before retiring from acting. In 2015 he revealed that he is suffering from the degenerative disease ataxia, which affects his balance and ability to walk. Bill sadly died in 2022 but had said he no longer watched EastEnders, as it is “a load of old rubbish these days”. Martin Fowler Martin Fowler was first played by Jon Peyton Price, who starred in EastEnders from 1985 until 1996. James Alexandrou then took over the role, and remained on the soap for over 12 years, with Martin finding himself at the centre of numerous explosive storylines. In 2007, James left EastEnders in order to explore other acting opportunities, and has since gone on to star in shows such as Casualty and Silent Witness.
James Alexandrou took on the role of Martin Fowler in 1996
(Image: Getty)
Martin went on to marry Sonia Jackson, portrayed by Natalie Cassidy
(Image: BBC)
He presented BBC Three show Bizarre Crime, before turning his hand to directing in recent years. James has directed many short films, including Dealer and Sunlight and Hide. In 2014, it was revealed that Martin would be heading back to Walford, but this time James Bye would be taking on the role. The actor’s previous credits include The Great Train Robbery and The Hooligan Factory.
James Bye has played Martin Fowler in EastEnders since 2014
(Image: BBC)
Vicki Fowler Vicki Fowler, the daughter of Michelle Fowler and Den Watts, was portrayed by a number of actresses over the years. Emma Herry played Vicki from the character’s birth in 1986, and remained on the soap until 1988, when Samantha Leigh Martin took over the role. She left EastEnders in 1995, and in 2003 Scarlett Alice Johnson was then cast as Vicki.
Vicki was played by Scarlett Alice Johnson from 2003 until 2004
(Image: BBC)
Scarlett boasts an impressive acting career
(Image: Getty)
The star played Vicki for one year, before leaving to pursue other opportunities. Scarlett has gone on to star in Adulthood as well as BBC Three comedy Pramface. She’s also appeared in Casualty, Loaded, Call The Midwife, and The Good Karma Hospital over the years. In 2017, Scarlett married her Pramface co-star Sean Michael Verey, and the couple have since welcomed their first child together. Rebecca Fowler Martin Fowler and Sonia Jackson welcomed their first child Rebecca when they were just teenagers. In 2005, Jade Sharif took on the role of Rebecca, nicknamed Bex, and starred in EastEnders for two years. The actress then left the soap, and eventually went on to quit acting having revealed her hopes of becoming a doctor.
Jasmine Armfield joined EastEnders as Bex Fowler in 2014
(Image: BBC)
The actress quit the soap in 2020 after six years
(Image: Getty)
Jasmine Armfield was cast as Bex in 2014, and she quickly became a firm favourite among soap fans. Jasmine’s portrayal of Martin and Sonia’s daughter even saw her nominated for Best Soap Actress at the TV Choice Awards. After six years on EastEnders, the star decided to leave the show, and has gone on to star in an episode of BBC’s Doctors, as Layla Roberts.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnEastEnders
