EastEnders has announced the return of a former character on the BBC soap, weeks after we saw the actor now playing him in the flashforward episode, with the role recast
21:00, 17 Jan 2026Updated 21:01, 17 Jan 2026
EastEnders has announced the return of a former character on the BBC soap, weeks after we saw the actor now playing him in the flashforward episode(Image: BBC)
A return is set to air very soon on EastEnders, as the BBC soap has finally identified the mystery man in the recent flashforward.
Mark Fowler Jr is heading back to the BBC soap for the first time in 10 years. He will join his sister Vicki Fowler in Walford, as well as the Mitchells – while it’s yet to be explained how he ends up being linked to the Brannings.
The last time we saw Mark, in 2016, he found out Grant Mitchell was his real dad. The role was played by Emmerdale actor Ned Porteous at the time, while Ned is currently portraying Joe Tate on the ITV soap.
Instead, Mark will now be played by actor Stephen Aaron-Sipple with the role recast. Fans first saw Stephen onscreen in the flashforward earlier this month, and now his character has been identified.
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A return is set to air very soon on EastEnders, as the BBC soap has finally identified the mystery man in the recent flashforward(Image: BBC)
Teasing why Mark heads back to Walford, actor Stephen shared: “Having grown up in East London, EastEnders has been in my life since childhood and I’m excited to be joining not one, but two iconic Albert Square families! I’m looking forward to viewers seeing why Mark is back, and what Walford has in store for him.”
Executive Producer Ben Wadey also had his say, teasing what was ahead. He said: “We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Aaron-Sipple to EastEnders and bring Mark back to Albert Square. Viewers had a glimpse of Mark in the New Years Day flashforward episode, with the circumstances around his upcoming involvement with the Brannings set to unfold throughout the year.”
The role was played by Emmerdale actor Ned Porteous at the time(Image: BBC)
It’s teased he will join the Mitchells as well as Vicki, which could mean Mark has been in contact with them, or at least it is known that he is Grant’s son. It’s not thought Grant and Mark are in contact, as Grant did not mention his son when he was on the show briefly last year.
They are keeping under wraps for now why Mark is back, and how he will end up being close to the Brannings. We also don’t know too much about what he’s been up to in his time away from Walford.
After the flashforward aired, fans had predicted the mystery man, now known to be Mark, could be a recast character, or a new resident.
Another theory was that his link to the Brannings could see him have an affair with Lauren Branning, who is currently married to Peter Beale, while the flashforward was set in January 2027.
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