![\"EMBARGOED](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_281132267-d62a.jpg\")
\n\t\tMark Fowler Jr arrives back in the Square after a decade away (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barns \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tMark Fowler Jr arrives back in the Square after a decade away (Picture: BBC \/ Jack Barns \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
Feathers are going to be ruffled for two EastEnders <\/a>families as Mark Fowler Jr is set to return after a decade away, with star Stephen Aaron-Sipple taking over the role. <\/p>\n Mark, as longtime fans of the BBC One soap will know, is the son of Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp)<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prior to leaving Walford in 1995, Michelle told her brother \u2013 and son\u2019s namesake \u2013 Mark Fowler (Todd Carty) that Grant, who she\u2019d had a one night stand with, was her baby\u2019s father. <\/p>\n Mark Jr was born in 1996 and spent two decades believing his dad was a man named Tim \u2013 that is, until he returned to the Square in 2016<\/a>.<\/p>\n Played by Ned Porteous<\/a>, who is best known as Emmerdale\u2019s Joe Tate<\/a>, Mark uncovered the truth of his paternity, as did Grant. The two, however, never had the opportunity to get to know one another, with Mark subsequently departing the Square. <\/p>\n But flashforward a decade and Mark will make another Walford comeback, with Stephen Aaron-Sipple stepping into the role. This time around, the character reunites with sister Vicki (Alice Haig<\/a>), who relocated to the Square from Australia<\/a> last year. <\/p>\n It won\u2019t just be the Fowler clan that Mark will be joining, however, as the Mitchells will also be rocked by his unexpected return. <\/p>\n \t\t Little is known about why Mark has returned and what he has been up to in the time he has been away, but \u2013 in typical EastEnders fashion \u2013 it soon becomes clear not all is as it seems!<\/p>\n Confirmation of his comeback also solves the first of the many questions<\/a> viewers were left with after the Max Branning<\/a> (Jake Wood<\/a>) flashforward episode which aired on New Year\u2019s Day. <\/p>\n The offering in question was set in 2027 and saw an unnamed man \u2013 played by star Stephen \u2013 lurking in the background of various scenes and waving to Max from across the street, which left viewers convinced that he was to become a key character in the year ahead. <\/p>\n Discussing his casting, Stephen said: \u2018Having grown up in East London, EastEnders has been in my life since childhood and I\u2019m excited to be joining not one, but two iconic Albert Square families! <\/p>\n \t\t \u2018I\u2019m looking forward to viewers seeing why Mark is back, and what Walford has in store for him.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \t\t EastEnders\u2019 Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: \u2018We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Aaron-Sipple to EastEnders and bring Mark back to Albert Square. <\/p>\n \u2018Viewers 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.\u2019<\/p>\n EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on\u00a0BBC<\/a>\u00a0One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279311815-1f97.jpg\")
\n\t\tMark first appeared in the Max Branning flashforward episode (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Who](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_241550277-22c2.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe role of Mark was previously played by Emmerdale\u2019s Ned Porteous (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768706410_673_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
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