When EastEnders fans look back on the history of the show, that dates back to 1985, their thoughts automatically go to the original cast. What are they all doing now? How has it been that long?
One prominent character that sticks out is Michelle Fowler, played by Susan Tully, who appeared in the very first EastEnders episode when she was just a teenager. Susan, who also had a brief stint in Grange Hill playing schoolgirl Suzanne Ross for three years, played Michelle right up until 1995 – and she definitely filled those years with drama.
What happened to Michelle Fowler?
Where do we even start? From the beginning, of course...
EastEnders’ Michelle Fowler was basically the Lauren Branning of the 1990’s - hard as nails and a teen tearaway but deep down, she had a good heart. She was brought up by two HUGE EastEnders matriarchs, mum Pauline Fowler and Grandma Lou, so it’s no wonder she was so feisty.
She sent shockwaves throughout the Square when she fell pregnant at the tender age of 16, after a steamy night of passion with pub landlord (and her best pal's dad) Den Watts. She refused to go down the route of abortion and gave birth to baby Vicky, managing to keep her baby's identity a secret.
Later on, Michelle finally kissed her prince, Lofty Holloway, who would walk over hot coals for her and Vicky. They got married on the quiet but Michelle was never happy with the life Lofty gave her. She fell pregnant, but ended up aborting his baby with the help of Den. Yep - the man she slept with years earlier.
Michelle finally told her best mate Sharon Watts (now Mitchell) that she had a child with Den after he passed away (the first time) in 1989, thinking that it would bring her some comfort. It didn’t. In 1994, Michelle was involved in a seige of the Queen Vic and was caught in the crossfire.
In 1995, Michelle had a one-night stand with the mighty Grant Mitchell and fled the Square to live in America and still lives with her children Vicky and Mark Jnr.
In 2016, Michelle appeared back on the Square but this time was played by a different actress, Jenna Russell. It was revealed that Michelle broke the law in America by having a sex with 17-year-old Preston.
Upon her arrival Michelle's friends and family were quick to welcome her with open arms until they discovered her sordid secret. Martin Fowler refused to talk to her after it comes to light that she's reunited with Preston -Bex Fowler's boyfriend.
After two years in Walford, Michelle was then written out when Jenna's contract ended and the last EastEnders viewers saw, she was visiting Mark Fowler Jr and Vicki abroad.
Who played Michelle Fowler?
Susan Tully played Michelle Fowler from 1985 right up until 1995. In December 2016, during a Christmas Eve episode, EastEnders recast the role of Michelle Fowler to actress Jenna Russell after Susan repeatedly turned down offers to return.
The show's executive producer at the time, Sean O'Connor, said that Tully gave her blessing for the recast to take place. Michelle stayed on the show for two years, leaving again in 2018.
Fun fact about Michelle Fowler: she was one of the original 23 characters in Walford that was created for the show.
Is Michelle Fowler returning to EastEnders?
Never say never, right? As such a treasured member of the cast, Michelle is often referred to by Sharon Mitchell in conversations and phone calls, like when she called her to tell her that Peggy Mitchell was dying from cancer.
Could we see a Michelle Fowler return in the future? Maybe a different actress? EastEnders fans certainly hope so. During a recent thread on the Digital Spy forums, one fan even called for iconic TV and film star Olivia Colman to take on the role of Michelle should she return to Walford. Just imagine that...
How old is Susan Tully?
Susan was born on 20th October 1967 in Highgate, London. So that makes her 54.
Is Susan Tully married?
According to news reports, Susan is reportedly single and unmarried but the actress has kept her private life very private her whole life.
What is Susan Tully doing now?
After EastEnders and Grange Hill, Susan turned her hand to directing for television, where she helped create episodes of EastEnders (of course), Tracy Beaker, The Bill, Secret Diary of A Call Girl.
More recently, Susan talents have been attached to series five of Line of Duty as well as ITV drama Too Close.
Who is Jenna Russell?
Jenna Russell is an English actress who has starred on the stage in many theatre productions including Les Misérables and Guys and Dolls. In December 2016, Jenna took over from Susan Tully in the role of Michelle Fowler in BBC One soap opera EastEnders. In 2018, she decided to leave EastEnders to pursue other work.
What is Jenna Russell doing now?
Since she's been in EastEnders Jenna has focused on her own work and has gone back on the stage.
How old is Jenna Russell?
Jenna was born on 5th October 1967, so that makes her 54.
Is Jenna Russell married?
Jenna is married to actor Raymond Coulthard and they share a daughter.
CHECK OUT: EastEnders ICONIC Christmas Day episodes
Eastenders Christmas Day episodes
1 of 1010. Frank Butcher RETURNS
Who could that be knocking on the door on Christmas Day? Santa? Rudolph? No, it's Frank Butcher of course! Frank made his return to Albert Square on Christmas Day 1995 after over a years absence, much to the horror of Pat, who'd recently shacked up with fellow car dealer Roy Evans. Awks!
2 of 109. Jamie Mitchell's heartbreaking goodbye
One of EastEnders' saddest Christmas Day moments has to be when we said goodbye to the adorable Jamie Mitchell. His relationship with Sonia may have been short-lived (thanks to Martin Fowler, who accidentally knocked Jamie down in a dramatic hit and run), but it was definitely the real thing. Jamie and Sonia's love story came to a tragic end on Christmas Day 1998, when Jamie took his final breaths in hospital with Sonia by his side as the couple declared their undying love for each other. In true EastEnders style, Jamie's heartbreaking final moments were shown alongside scenes of Mo and Billy's marriage vows to the soundtrack of 'Stand by Me'. Basically, the whole nation was left bawling into their family-sized tubs of Celebrations.
3 of 108. Max Branning comes back to Albert Square
Christmas Day 2016 saw the shock return of the infamous Max Branning. After serving time in prison after being falsely accused of Lucy Beale's murder, a bitter Max returned to the square in the last 30 seconds of the Christmas special. The 'duff duff duff' left us all gawping at our screens wondering what this meant for the residents of Albert Square - especially the Beales!
4 of 107. Dirty Den serves Ange a divorce
We couldn't write an ultimate ranking of EastEnders' most SHOCKING Christmas Day episodes without throwing it back to the 80's when Den and Ange were the landlords of The Queen Vic (we know, nostalgia alert). Who can forget Christmas Day 1986 when Dirty Den presented Ange with a divorce-shaped Crimbo present, after finding out about her cancer lie. Only on EastEnders, eh!
5 of 106. Pauline Fowler passes away (under the square's Christmas tree, of course!)
Feisty Pauline Fowler was in EastEnders for an incredible 21 years, so we have to admit, we were a little disappointed that her death was so, well, low key. After a bust-up with Sonia in The Queen Vic, Pauline took a little lie down under the square's Christmas tree... and never woke up again. It may not have been dramatic, but it was certainly moving.
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6 of 105. Archie Mitchell meets his maker
Villainous Archie Mitchell may have only been in EastEnders for a year and a half, but caused all sorts of trouble in that time. Things came to a head (pun intended!) on Christmas Day 2009, when Archie was whacked over the head with The Queen Vic's iconic bar statue in front of 10.9 million viewers. What a way to go.
7 of 104. Evil Trevor torments Little Mo
Christmas 2001 was quite possibly EastEnders' bleakest festive showing of all time, as it focused on Little Mo and her abusive husband Trevor. The nation held its collective breath as we watched evil Trevor overflow Mo's Christmas dinner with gravy, before shoving the whole lot on the floor and making his terrified wife eat the remains off the carpet. Cheery it was not.
8 of 103. Abi and Lauren fall off the roof of the Queen Vic
The Brannings are never far from the drama at Christmas and 2017 was no exception as Abi and Lauren headed to the roof of the Queen Vic to save their dad Max who was threatening to jump. But, in a dramatic turn of events, it was the girls who ending up falling off the roof, leaving pregnant Abi dead.
9 of 102. Mick FINALLY discovers Dean raped Linda
Christmas Day 2014 saw Mick Carter go full Danny Dyer when he FINALLY found out about Dean raping Linda. After months of tension, Linda finally cracked under the pressure of Mick's romantic proposal and revealed that Dean attacked her. Naturally, furious Mick went straight for Dean's throat (destroying their Christmas dinner in the process), only halting his attack when Shirley dropped yet another bombshell – that Dean and Mick are brothers! What. A. Day.
10 of 101. Max and Stacey's affair is revealed!
Christmas 2007 was an absolute corker of an episode that will be forever imprinted on our memories, as it was the year Max and Stacey's torrid affair finally came out into the open. For those who have forgotten (HOW COULD YOU?), the horrible truth came out when little Lauren reluctantly gave Bradley a copy of his wedding video for Christmas… although it turned out she'd actually caught Max and Stacey snogging each other's faces off on camera, much to the horror of the extended Branning family and, in fact, the rest of the nation.