Mark Fowler Jr is set to make a return to the BBC soap, joining his older sister Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and the Mitchell clan later this month.

The role of Mark has been taken over by Stephen Aaron-Sipple, previously portrayed by Emmerdale’s Ned Porteous in 2016. He made his first appearance on EastEnders during the recent New Year’s Day flashforward episode, positioning him at the heart of the Brannings’ escalating drama.

Mark is the offspring of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Michelle Fowler, making him the half-sibling of Vicki and Courtney Mitchell. In 1995, Albert Square bid adieu to Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully), who relocated to America, keeping mum about her pregnancy with Grant’s child. Mark was born the following year, in 1996.

As Mark Jr prepares to return to Walford for a reunion with Vicki, let’s catch up with Susan Tully, the actress who played their on-screen mother, Michelle, reports OK!.

So, who exactly was Michelle Fowler in EastEnders?

Michelle Fowler is the love-struck daughter of Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) and her husband Arthur (Bill Treacher), and sister to Mark (Todd Carty) and Martin (James Bye).

The character was initially brought to life by Susan Tully when EastEnders first aired in February 1985. At just 17, she made her entrance into Walford, fresh from her stint in Grange Hill as Suzanne Ross.

Susan portrayed the character of Michelle for a decade, embroiling herself in a host of dramatic storylines, from teenage pregnancy to scandalous affairs with married men, including notorious Walford resident Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham).

Her illicit affair with Den, who happened to be the father of her best mate, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), resulted in the arrival of baby Vicki Fowler on Albert Square.

Michelle also found love with the gentle barman Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt), but her destiny lay beyond the confines of Walford.

In 1995, she bid farewell to Walford, taking Vicki with her to America to start afresh, after falling pregnant with Grant’s child, whom she named Mark as a tribute to her late brother.

So why did Susan Tully exit EastEnders?

Susan chose to step away from the BBC soap and acting altogether, instead carving out a successful career behind the scenes.

She transitioned into directing, lending her skills to TV favourites such as The Bill, London’s Burning, and even EastEnders

Her impressive portfolio also includes Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Silent Witness, Stella, Britannia, Line of Duty, and more recently, Strike, Maryland, and Too Close.

Now aged 58, Susan has directed episodes for the second series of Sky Atlantic’s Tin Star. These days, she sports a chic bob, a stark departure from Michelle’s iconic shoulder-length curls.Fans were taken aback by Susan’s transformed appearance in a recent snap, where she was seen beaming in a white tee and black pinafore dress alongside EastEnders’ Cindy Beale, played by Michelle Collins.

Despite her success behind the scenes, fans are still keen to see her return as Michelle Fowler.

However, the director has firmly stated that she has no intention of returning to the soap. When the decision was made to bring back Michelle in 2016, then-executive director Sean O’Connor confirmed that Susan had given them her blessing to proceed without her.

The role was subsequently handed over to Jenna Russell, marking the comeback of the character Michelle Fowler after a hiatus of 21 years.