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Martin Fowler (EastEnders)
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Martin Fowler (EastEnders)
Martin Fowler is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. The character was played by Jon Peyton-Price from Martin's introduction 1985 until 1996, by James Alexandrou from 1996 until 2007 and by James Bye from 2014 until 2025 when the character was killed off during the 40th anniversary live episode. After Alexandrou took over the role, Martin became part of the regular cast, and was featured in prominent storylines, including having a baby Bex Fowler (Jade Sharif/Jasmine Armfield) with Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy); developing a romantic crush on Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), which was not reciprocated; accidentally killing Sonia's former fiancé, Jamie Mitchell (Jack Ryder) after running him over in his car, which results in Martin being imprisoned for Jamie's death and subsequently feuding with Jamie's relative Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden); enduring a problematic marriage with Sonia; being stalked by Sarah Cairns (Alison Pargeter); and coping with the deaths of his brother, Mark Fowler (Todd Carty), and mother, Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard). Alexandrou quit the role in 2006, and Martin departed on 2 February 2007, leaving Walford with Bex and Sonia.
In October 2014, it was announced that executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins decided to reintroduce Martin, with the role being recast to James Bye; Martin returned on 5 December 2014. After his return in 2014, Martin divorced Sonia; married Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner); found out that Stacey's son Arthur Fowler is actually the son of his best friend, Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami); survived a bus crash; spent a two-week stint in prison for assaulting a police officer; experienced the premature birth of his daughter Hope Fowler; briefly separated from Stacey after discovering her one-night stand with her former lover Max Branning (Jake Wood); feuded with both Kush and Stacey's cousin Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) over Arthur's custody; dealt with Bex's disappearance and attempted suicide; been blackmailed by Phil's son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) into committing crimes for him; ended his marriage to Stacey in an attempt to protect her and their children against the death threats made towards them by Ben; had a one-night stand with Stacey's best friend, Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton); descended into crime; been involved in a hit-and-run accident; kidnapped Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) and faked his death with help from Linda Carter (Kellie Bright); briefly reunited with Sonia; had a year-long marriage to Ruby; discovered that his adoptive daughter, Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), is pregnant at the age of twelve; learnt that Ruby had secretly had his son, Roman Allen; led a campaign against the Market's closure; and briefly reconciled with Stacey during the show's 40th anniversary episodes before dying from crush injuries sustained after an explosion at The Queen Vic.
Martin was absent for two months, between 2 August and 4 October 2019, as part of Stacey's temporary exit storyline. Martin again departed on 22 January 2024, after Bye took a break from the show, before returning on 18 March. Bye departed the serial on 20 February 2025 during the 40th anniversary live episode after he died to cardiac arrest.
In the first episode, it is revealed that Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard), aged 40, is pregnant with her third child. The character's pregnancy quickly became a prominent storyline within the series. Pauline, against her mother Lou Beale (Anna Wing)'s opposition, is determined to keep the baby. The storyline was used to spread a public message on the increased risk of genetic defects in late pregnancies, with Pauline undergoing amniocentesis tests. The storyline culminates with the birth of the serial's first baby, Martin, in August 1985.
Martin started out as a "quiet child", but later grew into a "hooligan" who was always getting into trouble. In spite of his special status as baby of the Fowler family, Martin wasn't cushioned from the harsh realities of life. He grew up in the shadow of his father, Arthur Fowler's (Bill Treacher) mental breakdown and imprisonment, his parents' temporary separation, the premature death of his father and later his brother's death from an AIDS related illness. Indeed, it was Arthur's death that sent Martin over the edge, taking him down the path of petty crime.
On 15 April 2006, it was reported that Alexandrou had decided to leave EastEnders. Speaking of his decision, Alexandrou said, "I've decided to leave the show to experience other aspects of my industry. Having just turned 21, I feel it is an appropriate time to leave." A spokesperson for the BBC said, "James has been a fantastic member of the cast and he goes with our best wishes." Another said, "James has been a much loved cast member for the last 10 years. We'll miss him greatly but wish him all the best for the future." Alexandrou also reported that he would like to return to EastEnders at some point in the future. "I owe everything to the show" he said, "I would love to come back one day, that is, if EastEnders will have me." Producers reported that the door would be left open for his return. It was initially reported that Martin would remain on the show until August 2007; however, the character departed in February 2007 to tie in with his wife Sonia Fowler's (Natalie Cassidy) exit.
On 12 October 2014, it was announced that James Bye has taken over the role. Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins explained that the recast took place with Alexandrou's blessing. He also said, "Our casting executive Julia Crampsie has found a genuine relatable London bloke in the talented James Bye—we are sure that viewers old and new will soon warm to Martin Fowler's charms as he returns home to Walford." Lee Ryan also auditioned for the role of Martin in 2014 and read for the role with Lacey Turner, who portrays Martin's love interest Stacey Slater.
During EastEnders 40th Anniversary Week episode on 20 February 2025, Martin was killed after being crushed by a fallen structural beam and confessing his love for Stacey Slater. The character went into cardiac arrest and died. Afterwards, it was revealed that Bye had quit the show.
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Martin Fowler (EastEnders)
Martin Fowler is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. The character was played by Jon Peyton-Price from Martin's introduction 1985 until 1996, by James Alexandrou from 1996 until 2007 and by James Bye from 2014 until 2025 when the character was killed off during the 40th anniversary live episode. After Alexandrou took over the role, Martin became part of the regular cast, and was featured in prominent storylines, including having a baby Bex Fowler (Jade Sharif/Jasmine Armfield) with Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy); developing a romantic crush on Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), which was not reciprocated; accidentally killing Sonia's former fiancé, Jamie Mitchell (Jack Ryder) after running him over in his car, which results in Martin being imprisoned for Jamie's death and subsequently feuding with Jamie's relative Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden); enduring a problematic marriage with Sonia; being stalked by Sarah Cairns (Alison Pargeter); and coping with the deaths of his brother, Mark Fowler (Todd Carty), and mother, Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard). Alexandrou quit the role in 2006, and Martin departed on 2 February 2007, leaving Walford with Bex and Sonia.
In October 2014, it was announced that executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins decided to reintroduce Martin, with the role being recast to James Bye; Martin returned on 5 December 2014. After his return in 2014, Martin divorced Sonia; married Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner); found out that Stacey's son Arthur Fowler is actually the son of his best friend, Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami); survived a bus crash; spent a two-week stint in prison for assaulting a police officer; experienced the premature birth of his daughter Hope Fowler; briefly separated from Stacey after discovering her one-night stand with her former lover Max Branning (Jake Wood); feuded with both Kush and Stacey's cousin Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) over Arthur's custody; dealt with Bex's disappearance and attempted suicide; been blackmailed by Phil's son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) into committing crimes for him; ended his marriage to Stacey in an attempt to protect her and their children against the death threats made towards them by Ben; had a one-night stand with Stacey's best friend, Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton); descended into crime; been involved in a hit-and-run accident; kidnapped Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) and faked his death with help from Linda Carter (Kellie Bright); briefly reunited with Sonia; had a year-long marriage to Ruby; discovered that his adoptive daughter, Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), is pregnant at the age of twelve; learnt that Ruby had secretly had his son, Roman Allen; led a campaign against the Market's closure; and briefly reconciled with Stacey during the show's 40th anniversary episodes before dying from crush injuries sustained after an explosion at The Queen Vic.
Martin was absent for two months, between 2 August and 4 October 2019, as part of Stacey's temporary exit storyline. Martin again departed on 22 January 2024, after Bye took a break from the show, before returning on 18 March. Bye departed the serial on 20 February 2025 during the 40th anniversary live episode after he died to cardiac arrest.
In the first episode, it is revealed that Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard), aged 40, is pregnant with her third child. The character's pregnancy quickly became a prominent storyline within the series. Pauline, against her mother Lou Beale (Anna Wing)'s opposition, is determined to keep the baby. The storyline was used to spread a public message on the increased risk of genetic defects in late pregnancies, with Pauline undergoing amniocentesis tests. The storyline culminates with the birth of the serial's first baby, Martin, in August 1985.
Martin started out as a "quiet child", but later grew into a "hooligan" who was always getting into trouble. In spite of his special status as baby of the Fowler family, Martin wasn't cushioned from the harsh realities of life. He grew up in the shadow of his father, Arthur Fowler's (Bill Treacher) mental breakdown and imprisonment, his parents' temporary separation, the premature death of his father and later his brother's death from an AIDS related illness. Indeed, it was Arthur's death that sent Martin over the edge, taking him down the path of petty crime.
On 15 April 2006, it was reported that Alexandrou had decided to leave EastEnders. Speaking of his decision, Alexandrou said, "I've decided to leave the show to experience other aspects of my industry. Having just turned 21, I feel it is an appropriate time to leave." A spokesperson for the BBC said, "James has been a fantastic member of the cast and he goes with our best wishes." Another said, "James has been a much loved cast member for the last 10 years. We'll miss him greatly but wish him all the best for the future." Alexandrou also reported that he would like to return to EastEnders at some point in the future. "I owe everything to the show" he said, "I would love to come back one day, that is, if EastEnders will have me." Producers reported that the door would be left open for his return. It was initially reported that Martin would remain on the show until August 2007; however, the character departed in February 2007 to tie in with his wife Sonia Fowler's (Natalie Cassidy) exit.
On 12 October 2014, it was announced that James Bye has taken over the role. Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins explained that the recast took place with Alexandrou's blessing. He also said, "Our casting executive Julia Crampsie has found a genuine relatable London bloke in the talented James Bye—we are sure that viewers old and new will soon warm to Martin Fowler's charms as he returns home to Walford." Lee Ryan also auditioned for the role of Martin in 2014 and read for the role with Lacey Turner, who portrays Martin's love interest Stacey Slater.
During EastEnders 40th Anniversary Week episode on 20 February 2025, Martin was killed after being crushed by a fallen structural beam and confessing his love for Stacey Slater. The character went into cardiac arrest and died. Afterwards, it was revealed that Bye had quit the show.