Mark Fowler Jr is coming back to EastEnders... and his first scenes have already aired

Did you spot the return of Mark Jr?
Joel Harley
By Joel Harley

Mark Fowler Jr. is returning to EastEnders to reunite with sister Vicki, the soap has revealed. Baby Mark – the son of Grant Mitchell and Michelle Fowler – last appeared on EastEnders in 2019, after learning the truth about his paternity.

Now played by actor Stephen Aaron-Sipple, the character briefly appeared in Max Branning’s flashforward episode. However, his involvement in that day’s events remain to be seen. While we didn’t know it was Mark Fowler then, he was present in the scene where Max was arrested. Sneaky!

Stephen replaces actor Ned Porteus, who previously played the character – and now appears in Emmerdale as Joe Tate.

It's the return of baby Mark, doo-doo-doo (Credit: BBC)
It’s the return of Baby Mark, doo-doo-doo (Credit: BBC)

EastEnders reveals Mark Fowler Jr return

Sharing the news today (Saturday, January 17), Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: “We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Aaron-Sipple to EastEnders, and bring Mark back to Albert Square.

He continued: “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.

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Meanwhile, actor Stephen Aaron-Sipple said: “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!”

He added: “I’m looking forward to viewers seeing why Mark is back, and what Walford has in store for him.”

Mark Fowler jr
Emmerdale’s Ned Porteus previously played Mark Jr (Credit: BBC/YouTube)

Who was Mark Fowler Jr?

Mark was born in 1996, after a one-night-stand between Michelle and Grant. Michelle kept the identity of Mark’s father a secret, telling only her brother – Mark Sr. – that it was Grant, before emigrating to America.

Mark Jr. arrived on Albert Square in 2016, after being contacted by uncle Phil. The truth came out when Mark developed a romantic connection to half-sister Courtney Mitchell, as the families scrambled to stop the pair before they could make a terrible mistake.

While Grant ultimately opted not to tell Mark the truth about his paternity, the lad ultimately worked it out for himself. He told Sharon, who urged him not to ruin his life by getting involved with volatile Grant.

Mark then left Walford to join his mum in the United States. He would later join half-sister Vicki in Australia.

But what brings Mark back home this time?

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.