We’re getting a return with a recast but not the character I expected

Spoiler

 

Vicki Fowler will set foot in Albert Square for the first time in over 20 years to attend her Uncle Martin’s funeral, bringing her new boyfriend Ross and his son Joel with her. For more info head to our Facebook page!#EastEnders #EE40 pic.twitter.com/77eMQe54fj

— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) February 22, 2025

 

 

Based on how flat the new characters and most of the returns have been in recent years, it's hard to care, but best of luck to them.

I mean they look lovely, but it wasn't necessary to kill Martin to do this.

Nor do I have any faith we won't be seeing another cute legacy kid/stepkid? getting got a year or two down the line. Sleep with one eye open, Joel!

Wake me when Susan Tully shows up, which won't happen. So long as Googly-Eyes NuMichelle doesn't appear.

Edited February 23Feb 23 by Vee

I strongly disliked JB’s Martin when I was watching a few years ago, but I did like Alexandrou in the various episodes k watched from his run. Either way, what a huge mistake in killing the character off. How do you celebrate the show’s anniversary by killing off a character whose birth is intrinsically tied to the show’s first year? As already said, Vicki’s family could have still come in without Martin dying.

For those with more knowledge of the early 00s, did Mark really need to die? I always thought that seemed unnecessary but the upside was “well, there’s still Martin,” and I figured there was a general consensus that they wouldn’t make the same mistake by killing him off prematurely. Guess I was wrong!

I was hoping Bex would show up for her dad’s funeral

4 hours ago, All My Shadows said:

For those with more knowledge of the early 00s, did Mark really need to die?

No. It was depressing and unnecessary, especially for someone who had grown up watching Robin Scorpio.

Spoiler

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGbfwsFBYYt/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/eastenders-bex-fowler-returns

 

Edited February 23Feb 23 by cassadine1991

On 2/23/2025 at 11:29 AM, All My Shadows said:

I strongly disliked JB’s Martin when I was watching a few years ago, but I did like Alexandrou in the various episodes k watched from his run. Either way, what a huge mistake in killing the character off. How do you celebrate the show’s anniversary by killing off a character whose birth is intrinsically tied to the show’s first year? As already said, Vicki’s family could have still come in without Martin dying.

For those with more knowledge of the early 00s, did Mark really need to die? I always thought that seemed unnecessary but the upside was “well, there’s still Martin,” and I figured there was a general consensus that they wouldn’t make the same mistake by killing him off prematurely. Guess I was wrong!

Killing off Martin was a huge mistake -- as most of the deaths have been in Eastenders history.  They bring in big ratings/attention to the show, but only briefly. Once the shock value is over, the deaths rarely sustain any long-term storylines. And they are almost always regretted by the show's current and future creators.  I understand that the actor wanted to leave but why not recast him?  Crush his legs and then send him off to rehab for a year. After all, James Bye was a recast himself! 

The show was built around the Fowlers and now that family has been decimated. Such a short-sighted decision. Talk about a legacy character: Martin's existence was confirmed during Pauline's visit to Dr. Legg's office in the very first episode.  I could see Martin becoming the cranky old senior for the show's 70th anniversary, just like his grandmother Lou Beale.  Full circle.  But no longer.

I enjoyed this Grant return, Ross Kemp is still one of the best actors in soaps for me. His stuff with Phil and Nigel was emotional but I think the material with Grant and Bianca was my favorite by far, the last scenes with him helping her through a panic attack at the Launderette were very sweet. I enjoyed Grant and Sharon getting to spin the block one time for the one time too lol, I wish he could have stayed a bit longer so we could get more.

I like Teddy and his brood but this return reinforced that I’d swap them out for Mark Jr, Courtney, Louise, and a new Ben in a heart beat.

12 hours ago, detroitpiston said:

I like Teddy and his brood but this return reinforced that I’d swap them out for Mark Jr, Courtney, Louise, and a new Ben in a heart beat.

I like Teddy but he seems to have already become defanged. He was introduced as a "menacing" guy who had strict control over his family and businesses but now he appears passive and weak -- especially with the introduction of his ex, Nicola.  And we have had zero scenes of him and Sharon alone together -- absolutely zero.  Only a few scenes in the Vic.   If they are having a big romance, shouldn't we be privy to that?  We see intimate scenes between Denise/Ravi, Denise/Jack, Martin/Stacy, Suki/Eve, etc.  But nothing showing the growth of Teddy/Sharon.  Bring back Stevie!

19 hours ago, detroitpiston said:

I enjoyed this Grant return, Ross Kemp is still one of the best actors in soaps for me. His stuff with Phil and Nigel was emotional but I think the material with Grant and Bianca was my favorite by far, the last scenes with him helping her through a panic attack at the Launderette were very sweet. I enjoyed Grant and Sharon getting to spin the block one time for the one time too lol, I wish he could have stayed a bit longer so we could get more.

I like Teddy and his brood but this return reinforced that I’d swap them out for Mark Jr, Courtney, Louise, and a new Ben in a heart beat.

Never thought the writers of EE would make me believe that Grant and Bianca were so much alike, but here we are. It was a beautifully written scene between two iconic characters. I hope they bring Grant back to conclude Nigel’s story. 

Edited February 28Feb 28 by MichaelGL

I think killing Martin was a tough decision but I understand why they did it. If this was an American soap it would be easier to just recast the character or sit in in a coma for 3 years, but on a UK soap I feel like viewers would've rejected that. Especially since this character had already been recast once. I don't see another reason you could justify Martin abandoning his family either. 

For me, Martin was an important enough character where they could have just had him leave the square, not even London, just the square. Mention him as a haven for his children during dramas or breaks. He could still be a good father. As for dramatically, I think a huge part should have been that 1) he didn't love Ruby, but most importantly 2) he did love Stacey, but after Max and her recent cheating with Jack, it should have been paramount that he felt he could never trust her again. Not everything has to be big, bigger, biggest, especially with one of the more grounded characters like him.

I've finally gotten around to the fallout from the anniversary week and the actress who plays Stacey is knocking it out of the park. She's reminding me so much of Heather Tom with the rawness of her performance. I always enjoyed her but I didn't know she could break my heart like this.

Nicola having Zach roughed up 🔥 I wish she wasn’t only a Mitchell by marriage because she’s been the superior family addition