Michelle Fowler to leave EastEnders

Updated / Monday, 19 Mar 2018 15:14

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Jenna Russell as Michelle Fowler

 

Jenna Russell will depart from EastEnders as her character Michelle Fowler is being written out of the soap as part of a "mutual decision" between the actress and the production.

Russell first appeared in the BBC One soap in December 2016, taking over the role of Michelle from Susan Tully, who originally played the character from 1985 until 1995.

An EastEnders spokesperson said: "Jenna is a terrific actress who has loved her time on the show playing Michelle and it was a mutual decision to write the character out.

"We wish Jenna all the best for the future."

Rumours had been circulating that Russell would be leaving the show, with a source telling The Sun UK that producers had made the decision to write her out in order to focus more on the returning Slater family.

 

"Bringing back an an old character always adds much needed nostalgia which fans love," they quote a source as saying.

"But Michelle simply wasn't going anywhere and was deemed a bit of spare part. Jenna is an established actress in her own right and wouldn't want to be on the periphery."

Hitting back at speculation she was axed from the soap, Russell tweeted: "Just for clarity, I wasn't 'axed' just fancied doing something else. Nothing else. Have a great day x #actorslife."   

Jenna’s exit as Michelle is the latest in a number of big changes new producer John Yorke has made since taking the helm last year. 

He also axed other long-standing characters Lauren and Abi Branning and Ben Mitchell, as well as bringing back old favourites like Masood Ahmed and Mel Owen. 

This week will also see the return of Kat Slater, with Jessie Wallace making a comeback as the Walford’s wild child, despite residents currently believing she is dead. 

However, she will not be accompanied by husband Alfie Moon, who was last seen fighting for his life in spin-off series ‘Redwater’. 

Actor Shane Richie admitted he turned down the chance to return, although has insisted his character is still alive. 

 

Edited March 19, 20187 yr by victoria foxton

John Yorke always said he'd never bring Michelle back unless it was Sue Tully in the role, so I guess this makes sense...

What a mess.

Stupid decision. John Yorke is past it.

One of the show's saner decisions of late, IMO

4 hours ago, Vee said:

One of the show's saner decisions of late, IMO

 

The ‘damage’ had been done. They might as well have tried to stick with it. Having Martin’s sister around was worthwhile, they haven’t really made the most of it. I’d much rather have her than Kat back again, talk about a dead-end.

I don't think they had any idea what to do with her, and what they did give her was offensive and terrible. It might as well have been a completely new character as it didn't bare any resemblance to what the character once was. 

 

I also didn't think Jenna was anything special in the role. The dynamics with the characters that meant the most to Michelle (Sharon, Ian, Martin, Kathy, etc) felt very off to me. 

Edited March 20, 20187 yr by BetterForgotten

Amazing news, Tony Jordan is writing Kat's return episode. I'm not expecting much, but given how much Jordan and Yorke loved the character, it's a nice touch to have her creators reintroduce her:

 

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a852659/eastenders-spoilers-tony-jordan-kat-moon-return/

On 3/20/2018 at 6:23 AM, BetterForgotten said:

I don't think they had any idea what to do with her, and what they did give her was offensive and terrible. It might as well have been a completely new character as it didn't bare any resemblance to what the character once was. 

 

I also didn't think Jenna was anything special in the role. The dynamics with the characters that meant the most to Michelle (Sharon, Ian, Martin, Kathy, etc) felt very off to me. 

 

I feel differently but it has probably been a failure, they could still make it work but they're not keen to so fair enough.

 

Big Mo back and still can't act.

Laila Morse is as atrocious now as she ever was. I’m amazed she’s back considering she apparently had terrible problems remembering her lines which slowed down production. I doubt age has improved her memory skills.

Big Mo is ridiculous, (she does have good comedic timing so that's something). She probably won't be back after that, I don't see how she can stick around.

R.I.P. K.S. with random blurry picture

I haven't watched in a long time at this point, but I'm glad Kat's returning alone. I never cared for Alfie.

22 minutes ago, KMan101 said:

I haven't watched in a long time at this point, but I'm glad Kat's returning alone. I never cared for Alfie.

 

But you know that Alfie will be brought back in due time. Just watch. Ugh.  

1 hour ago, Nothin'ButAttitude said:

 

But you know that Alfie will be brought back in due time. Just watch. Ugh.  

 

Oh. Of course.

 

I've never got the appeal.

 

They'd probably have to get rid of his clone first.

God, the writing for Sharon is absolutely awful these days. I can't believe Yorke isn't doing anything to improve it as Sharon was one of his favourites, and he obviously  brought her back to the show in her first return. 

 

The Slater lynch mob is a bit much for such a ridiculous story, but did love Kat throwing Den faking his death back in Sharon's  face and later Kat calling her Phil's doormat - that's exactly what Sharon is these days (in addition to being a big hypocrite). 

 

 

Edited April 5, 20187 yr by BetterForgotten