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EastEnders viewers could soon get a blast from the past as Michelle Fowler returns to Albert Square… with a new face.
After 21 years of trying to woo Susan Tully back to EastEnders, producers have reportedly now opted to recast the role of Michelle Fowler with Olivier Award-winning stage star Jenna Russell stepping in.
According to The Sun, Michelle's big comeback could air as early as in Saturday night's Christmas Eve episode (December 24).
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Jenna Russell accepts her Olivier Award
© GETTY IMAGES DAVE M. BENETT
(Jenna Russell accepts her Olivier Award)
An insider described the recasting of EastEnders original Michelle as a curveball designed to prove that the soap "still keeps viewers on the edge of their seats".
An EastEnders spokesperson would only say: "Viewers can expect a lot of surprises this Christmas, but we don't comment on future storylines as this will spoil the enjoyment."
Jenna Russell is a veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company and has a been fixture of both stage and the small screen for over 30 years, having memorably appeared in Doctor Who, Minder and most recently played Sister Morgan in Call the Midwife.
Her Michelle Fowler predecessor Susan Tully originated the role in 1985, and the character spent the next decade making one awful decision after another until she set off for America.
In her decade on the soap, Michelle caused troubled for practically everyone by having a fling with best friend Sharon's father Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) and later feuding (and hooking up) with Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).
Since leaving Albert Square in 1995, Susan Tully retired from acting to become a successful director of TV hits Lark Rise to Candleford, The Musketeers and even EastEnders.
Earlier this year, outgoing EastEnders producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins revealed that he'd most wanted to bring back Michelle Fowler during his time on the soap.
"There's one character that I wanted to get back and that was Michelle," he said. "And I did try. Sue Tully and I emailed back and forth, but she's a director now.
"I briefly considered a recast, but it just didn't sit right. And you never know, maybe someone else can woo Sue Tully to come back."
It looks like current producer Sean O'Connor felt differently about a recast…
EastEnders' Christmas Eve special airs on Saturday (December 24) at 8.25pm on BBC One.
Digital Spy
There's lots and lots of rumours and speculation online that Michelle will turn up in Albert Square this Christmas.
Martin Fowler’s sister is apparently heading back to Walford, with EastEnders bosses wanting her back for a while.
But fans will not see actress Susan Tully reprise the famous role according to reports, after years and years on her turning down the role.
The actress recently surprised fans with how different she looked years of from her time on the soap.
But according to reports, the role has been recast in order to bring the character back to the Square, just like brother Martin was recast.
[undefined]EastEnders: Michelle Fowleris returning to the Square but the role has apparently been recast [Getty]
While it's not confirmed Michelle will be back, it's also not confirmed whether the role will be recast.
With the character being tipped to return The Sun have reported that bosses thought a new star was perfect for the role.
It is public knowledge that Susan didn’t want a comeback on the soap despite being asked and despite being mentioned a lot in the past year.
The character will apparently make her surprise return to the soap just months after her son Mark Fowler Jnr made his debut in Walford.
With Michelle now said to be heading to Albert Square, will Mark be with her too?
He left the show with the knowledge that is father was in fact Grant Mitchell, who he met in the dramatic scenes.
new michelle looks like jane
tammyy2j
24-12-2016, 20:03
I know Michelle has not appeared on screen for many years but Susan Tully will always be feisty Michelle Fowler to me
I think it is too much an iconic role for the show to recast
Is Mark and Vicki also returning?
I know Michelle has not appeared on screen for many years but Susan Tully will always be feisty Michelle Fowler to me
I think it is too much an iconic role for the show to recast
Is Mark and Vicki also returning?
Mark Fowler died of Aids related illness in 2003 if you are referring to Michelle´s brother
tammyy2j
24-12-2016, 20:17
Mark Fowler died of Aids related illness in 2003 if you are referring to Michelle´s brother
I was referring to Michelle and Grant's son Mark
EastEnders just brought back Michelle Fowler with a new face... and show bosses have huge plans for her
Here's all the gossip on the legendary character's return.
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It's official - EastEnders bosses have recast iconic character Michelle Fowler more than 20 years after her last appearance in the show.
Michelle made a very exciting return in the BBC soap's Christmas Eve episode, leading to a genuinely heartwarming scene as she reunited with her long-time best friend Sharon Mitchell.
Viewers last saw Michelle in October 1995, when she left Albert Square carrying Grant Mitchell's baby.
Michelle is an original EastEnders character and she was played by Susan Tully from the very first episode in 1985.
As Susan doesn't act anymore and has embarked on a new career as a TV director, EastEnders bosses have recast the role and have brought award-winning actress Jenna Russell on board to play Michelle.
Speaking for the first time about joining EastEnders, Jenna revealed: "It is a great honour to play such an iconic character. I know the audience loved Michelle Fowler so much, and even though she hasn't been on our screen for 20 years, she's very much in the fans' psyche.
"When I used to watch EastEnders all those years ago, she was one of my favourite characters. I'm extremely excited for what is in store for Michelle."
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EastEnders' executive producer Sean O'Connor added: "I am thrilled to have secured Jenna Russell to play Michelle Fowler, one of the show's most celebrated characters. The Square really has missed her over the past 20 years.
"Having worked with her before, Jenna was always in mind when I first started planning for Michelle's return. I think the audience are going to take Michelle back into their hearts - still flawed, complicated and infuriating after two decades away, but still loveable all the same.
"It's going to be appointment TV watching Michelle's car crash of a life unravel all over again."
Adding some extra intrigue for EastEnders fans, the reasons for Michelle's return may not be as simple as just wanting to spend time with her family this Christmas.
In fact, it's already been confirmed that Michelle's true reasons for coming back will unfold in early January.
A special EastEnders episode has even been planned focusing on Michelle and Sharon, during which viewers will find out why she's chosen to return to Walford after all these years. We can't wait!
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As Sharon's best friend, Martin's sister and Ian's cousin, Michelle has plenty of existing ties on the Square and there's no doubt that producers will have some juicy storylines lined up for her now that she's back.
Viewers know that Michelle has been living in Florida with her husband Tim and her son Mark Fowler Jnr.
Mark was introduced on screen for a brief stint earlier in the year, played by Ned Porteous. Meanwhile, Michelle's daughter Vicki Fowler currently runs a bar with Spencer Moon in Australia.
New cast member Jenna has an extensive range of television and theatre credits to her name. She's won an Olivier Award and Theatre World Award in the past, while her past screen appearances include roles in Call the Midwife, The Paradise, Holby City, Born and Bred and the 2009 remake of Minder, which also starred EastEnders favourite Shane Richie.
EastEnders continues on Christmas Day at 9.30pm with an hour-long festive special.
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I'm really excited about Michelle's return. It sounds like a lot of thought has gone into her recasting and storylines. :thumbsup:
anfunny2003
25-12-2016, 09:59
I guess everyone is busy with Christmas, naturally, but now a re-cast Michelle Fowler has turned up by surprise, I figured I'd open a thread... :hmm:
https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/michelle_03-e1482599358548.jpg?w=748&h=528&crop=1
Whilst for me the jury is out on the re-cast (but I will give her a chance), what do people think of her return? She has a secret apparently (of course she does!) and we can look forward to a special two-hander episode between Michelle and Sharon in January to reveal what that secret is...
http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/24/eastenders-spoilers-special-episode-to-reveal-michelle-fowlers-secret-6343813/
:searchme:
kayuqtuq
25-12-2016, 10:03
Sacrilege!
anfunny2003
25-12-2016, 10:31
I guess it was re-cast or kill her off. Sue Tully flatly refused to ever return.
I guess it was re-cast or kill her off. Sue Tully flatly refused to ever return.
Yep, she's a director now. She's point blank, said she wouldn't come back.
I guess it was re-cast or kill her off. Sue Tully flatly refused to ever return.
Yep, she's a director now. She's point blank, said she wouldn't come back.
she looks a bit like jane and stella, a new love for max
tammyy2j
26-12-2016, 00:25
There is a thread already on this maybe Siobhan can please merge
I just don't understand her return now, as Kathy said she was away for 20 years so missed many funerals/weddings/births etc., (but unlike Kathy didn't fake her death) and Mark knows about Grant who is gone again
I just don't understand her return now, as Kathy said she was away for 20 years so missed many funerals/weddings/births etc., (but unlike Kathy didn't fake her death) and Mark knows about Grant who is gone again
The reason for her return is apparently top secret. Hopefully that means it'll be highly explosive and will rock the square... :D
tammyy2j
26-12-2016, 00:42
The reason for her return is apparently top secret. Hopefully that means it'll be highly explosive and will rock the square... :D
Has she a child by Phil Mitchell :p
Has she a child by Phil Mitchell :p
:D
It did cross my mind it might be something to do with Phil when she jumped into the taxi, but I don't really see how that could be.
parkerman
26-12-2016, 00:45
The reason for her return is apparently top secret. Hopefully that means it'll be highly explosive and will rock the square... :D
Ah, but will the lives of its inhabitants ever be the same again?
Ah, but will the lives of its inhabitants ever be the same again?
I sincerely hope not. :D
tammyy2j
26-12-2016, 00:54
she looks a bit like jane and stella, a new love for max
I think you could be right about Michelle and Max
Martin is insecure about Max's return over Stacey with Ian nervous that Max wants revenge and Michelle is related to both
A quote by Sean O'Connor about Michelle's reason for returning to Walford now:
'Michelle has come back to Walford with a big secret that she feels she can't share. Somehow or other there's a reason she wants to be there with her best friend, Sharon, because she's got something to say and is terrified about saying it.'
Taken from: http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/interviews/a817750/eastenders-spoiler-interview-michelle-fowler-return-producer-sean-oconnor/
(Sorry, I'm tired and can't be bothered to post the whole article at the moment. :o)
parkerman
27-12-2016, 20:41
is she dying?
As an actress maybe....
Rear window
27-12-2016, 23:25
I guess it was re-cast or kill her off. Sue Tully flatly refused to ever return.
not actually a big thing to recast someone, Martin has been recast very well.
we love the characeters. the actors play a role.
Michelle Fowler’s secret is finally revealed in special episode
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Michelle Fowler has come back to Walford for a reason but she hasn’t been in much of a hurry to share what is going on with her loved ones. But a special EastEnders episode next week will finally reveal what has been going on with her – and Sharon Mitchell is left shocked by what she discovers.
Michelle’s return has delighted her best friend but Stacey Fowler for one has felt that Michelle has outstayed her welcome. Michelle has evidently been putting off a return to America but as the date for going back looms closer, Michelle is still holding a lot back.
In an episode that focuses almost entirely on Sharon and Michelle, that all changes when Michelle finally opens up to her childhood friend about what has happened and what has prompted her to come home without warning after two decades.
As Sharon is left reeling by what Michelle shares, just what secrets are about to come tumbling out – and what will the consequences be?
EastEnders airs the episode on Thursday 12th January at 7:30pm on BBC One.
http://metro.co.uk/2017/01/03/eastenders-spoilers-michelle-fowlers-secret-is-finally-revealed-in-special-episode-6357229/#ixzz4UeoCA5gd
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It sounds like Michelle's secret is going to rock the square... :p
tammyy2j
03-01-2017, 21:27
I don't remember the old Michelle being so into family tales and cooking :p
Is there a reason she needs the house so hot, heating up high
Is there a reason she needs the house so hot, heating up high
I think Michelle lives in Florida, in which case she won't be acclimatised to our winters.
I think Michelle lives in Florida, in which case she won't be acclimatised to our winters.
yep florida but no tan or accent and how long she been there
she really riling up stacey and getting with max makes her enemy numero uno to her :p to be fair though martin has to put up with living with stacey relatives and hot andy in a small flat so she could be more accommodating let michelle clean and cook away
I think Michelle lives in Florida, in which case she won't be acclimatised to our winters.
yep florida but no tan or accent and how long she been there
she really riling up stacey and getting with max makes her enemy numero uno to her :p to be fair though martin has to put up with living with stacey relatives and hot andy in a small flat so she could be more accommodating let michelle clean and cook away
I can only think they are lining her up to be the new Pauline, so I cant see her being killed off so early. I just think she is in huge debt and someones after her. Then I suppose the awful short hair doo could be result of illness but I dont think so.
Shes the house guest who has no intention of leaving, just getting rid of Stacy and controlling her spinless brother for her own ends.
Ruffed_lemur
04-01-2017, 17:01
I'm not liking new Michelle so far. Would much rather have kept Ronnie and Roxy.
Don't know how Stacy is putting up with her. She acts like she owns the place!
tammyy2j
04-01-2017, 23:50
I think Michelle lives in Florida, in which case she won't be acclimatised to our winters.
How did I forget that :o
The BBC has released a new promo spotlighting all the drama for Michelle Fowler in next week's EastEnders.
Fans are already aware that Michelle appears to be hiding something vital about the reasons surrounding her return to Walford. But it seems that the truth is set to be come out in upcoming episodes.
As can be seen from the promo, Michelle looks set to tell Sharon that she's "broken the law", but what exactly has she done?
Also in the thick of the action is Denise, who is about to give her baby up for adoption following its birth. But will she really go through with it amidst Kim's vocal objections?
https://youtu.be/pSaa55S9YKI
her return reason hoping is better than kathy
anfunny2003
08-01-2017, 16:14
I was wondering if Michelle has been having an inappropriate relationship with a pupil? She's a lecturer in the USA, isn't she? It sounds like whatever it is has upset Sharon, so it must be fairly controversial and of course, against the law.
I was wondering if Michelle has been having an inappropriate relationship with a pupil? She's a lecturer in the USA, isn't she? It sounds like whatever it is has upset Sharon, so it must be fairly controversial and of course, against the law.
is she a teacher in america?
I was wondering if Michelle has been having an inappropriate relationship with a pupil? She's a lecturer in the USA, isn't she? It sounds like whatever it is has upset Sharon, so it must be fairly controversial and of course, against the law.
is she a teacher in america?
anfunny2003
08-01-2017, 18:40
is she a teacher in america?
Yes, she's an English Literature teacher...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/42Gv9Xg1gjnW4fqKL473tzF/michelle-fowler
anfunny2003
08-01-2017, 18:40
is she a teacher in america?
Yes, she's an English Literature teacher...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/42Gv9Xg1gjnW4fqKL473tzF/michelle-fowler
I was wondering if Michelle has been having an inappropriate relationship with a pupil? She's a lecturer in the USA, isn't she? It sounds like whatever it is has upset Sharon, so it must be fairly controversial and of course, against the law.
was michelle underage herself when with den?
I was wondering if Michelle has been having an inappropriate relationship with a pupil? She's a lecturer in the USA, isn't she? It sounds like whatever it is has upset Sharon, so it must be fairly controversial and of course, against the law.
was michelle underage herself when with den?
was michelle underage herself when with den?
I think she was 16.
I think she was 16.
She was 16!
tammyy2j
11-01-2017, 22:21
If she was underage, Pauline would have had Den arrested :p
I was wondering if Michelle has been having an inappropriate relationship with a pupil? She's a lecturer in the USA, isn't she? It sounds like whatever it is has upset Sharon, so it must be fairly controversial and of course, against the law.
looks like you are right and she has lost tim and mark
she was overly flirty and even perverty in albert at young guys
I thought he was a bit "old" for her lol
really can't take to michelle
i wonder does she have an std from preston hence doctor visit
EastEnders star Jenna Russell teases this week's huge episodes: "The walls fall down around Michelle"
Will her life ever be the same again?
EastEnders star Jenna Russell has teased this week's explosive episodes that will finally see Michelle Fowler's controversial relationship with Preston Cooper exposed.
Michelle's life will be turned upside down when her affair with teenager Preston is revealed – despite the fact that her niece Bex also believes she's in a relationship with him.
Further details about the aftermath are being kept under wraps until transmission (although we have our theories), but we do know that the fallout will have huge repercussions set to lead to disaster.
Shedding some light on what fans can expect from the big reveal, Jenna – who took over the role as Michelle last year – said: "For Michelle it's the worst case scenario. The walls are falling down around her, the ground is shifting underneath her.
"Her brother, who she loves so dearly, is looking at her in a different way. She's a very proud woman and looking at her past, she's really proud of what she's done with her life and feels like she's really made something of herself. In her brother's eyes, he felt the same.
"For me, when I read the script I thought, 'At least everyone knows now – it's out there, the truth is out. Come what may, whatever is written in terms of the script, Michelle isn't going to be lying anymore.'
"I feel it's a good thing, because Michelle has to face up to what she's done and face the consequences. She'll have to mend those bridges and build a better foundation.
"She's not been facing the truth of the fact that her marriage is over, her son isn't talking to her, her daughter isn't talking to her, she's back in Walford and that's difficult and strange, and she's having to lie to people about why she's home. It's very overwhelming."
However, despite all of Michelle's mistakes, Jenna insists that she never intended for vulnerable young relative Bex to be brought into her mess.
"We filmed a scene where Michelle tries to steer Bex away from Preston in the kindest way she can," Jenna said. "It's interesting because the way it was written – it could have gone one of two ways: either she's jealous and wants Bex to stay away for her purposes because she feels 'Preston's my boyfriend', or, because she genuinely wants to protect Bex from Preston.
"Bex is family, and as she said all along, Martin and Bex are really all she's got. Of course, none of it works because she sadly isn't completely straight with her, and she has her own reasons for that.
"The fact that Preston, to get at Michelle, slept with Bex, horrifies her. It's the last thing she would have wanted. She knows Bex is a vulnerable young girl who's going through a really important time in her life, in her exams and everything, and she wants to protect her. "
EastEnders kicks off the huge week for Michelle tonight at 8pm on BBC One.
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is she taking tablets for menopause
Michelle Fowler will opt to return to Florida in next week's EastEnders - but will she be able to go ahead with her plan?
Recent episodes of the BBC1 soap saw Sharon send Preston packing after claiming that Michelle no longer cared for him.
But when Michelle finds out what Sharon has done, she's left fuming with her friend for meddling in her affairs.
Scenes to be shown on Tuesday 4 April see Michelle get discharged from hospital and announce that she's heading back to the US.
As Sharon tries to reason with her, a fuming Ian confronts Michelle about the damage to Beale's Plaice following last week's chip-shop smash-up.
Later, at the police station, Michelle gives her statement and suddenly realises the severity of the situation. Will what she learns stymie her scheme?
Bex Fowler looks set to bear a grudge in next week's EastEnders when she refuses to speak to a battered and bruised Michelle Fowler.
Last week's episodes of the BBC1 soap saw Bex expose Michelle and Preston's illicit relationship, only for events to quickly spiral out of control.
Fans witnessed Michelle subsequently crashing her car through the chippy window, while Sharon went on to hound Preston out of town and back to the US.
Now, a betrayed Bex will continue to feel upset and give Michelle the cold shoulder. Desperate to make amends with her niece, Michelle tries to talk to her - but can Bex accept the hand of forgiveness?
she should get treated worse than jay for her underage relationship and what she did to bex, louise and dennis and accident
Michelle Fowler will opt to return to Florida in next week's EastEnders - but will she be able to go ahead with her plan?
Recent episodes of the BBC1 soap saw Sharon send Preston packing after claiming that Michelle no longer cared for him.
But when Michelle finds out what Sharon has done, she's left fuming with her friend for meddling in her affairs.
Scenes to be shown on Tuesday 4 April see Michelle get discharged from hospital and announce that she's heading back to the US.
As Sharon tries to reason with her, a fuming Ian confronts Michelle about the damage to Beale's Plaice following last week's chip-shop smash-up.
Later, at the police station, Michelle gives her statement and suddenly realises the severity of the situation. Will what she learns stymie her scheme?
Radio Times
tammyy2j
03-04-2017, 23:02
I thought she could not return as her relationship with Preston started when he underage
EastEnders could be lining up a new romance for Michelle Fowler as she grows closer to the mystery man she met on the tube.
Michelle (Jenna Russell) offered a helping hand to a stranger in a scene last week, after the poor London underground user suffered an inconveniently-timed nosebleed.
The man appeared again in Tuesday's episode (June 6) – thanking Michelle for her earlier kindness and making a not-so-subtle attempt to find out more about her personal life.
http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/22/768x508/gallery-soaps-eastenders-tom-michelle-fowler-122203i203i12o3ijo23jj2oi3j-1.jpg
Michelle was quick to point out that she is married (in actual fact, she's getting divorced) but that won't be the last she sees of her fellow commuter as they continue to bump into each other in upcoming scenes.
Next week's episodes will see Michelle finally find out that her mystery man's nam is Tom – played by former Midsomer Murders actor Daniel Casey. But is there new romance on the horizon? And is she really ready to move on after her dramas with Tim and Preston?
Michelle has had a roller coaster of a time since returning to Walford last Christmas and is only just beginning to rebuild her life – starting with a new job away from the Square.
Having reconnected with her old friends and family after two decades away, Michelle soon made herself deeply unpopular when her teenage lover Preston followed her to London and decided to use her niece Bex Fowler in a bid to make her jealous.
Digital Spy
is he connected to max too :p
jenna leaving "mutual decision"
tammyy2j
20-03-2018, 14:24
Was her recasting just to have Grant meet his son Mark?
hunter accuses michelle of trying to kiss him
will she return for brother Martin's funeral?
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