The character will be coming back to Walford after a ten year absence
EastEnders have confirmed that Mark Fowler Jr will be returning to Walford after his character was spotted in the New Year’s Day flashforward.
The character is set for a dramatic return to Walford in 2026, after his character was last seen ten years ago. It’s been teased that viewers can expect fresh tension, long-buried family ties and of course a major new storyline that will impact lives across the Square.
Actor Stephen Aaron‑Sipple joined the cast in October 2025, but viewers caught their first glimpse of him on New Year’s Day in a flash‑forward sequence set in 2027.
At the time, he was credited as “Man”, but his brief appearance saw him cross paths with both the Beale and Branning families, which led to fans of the BBC soap speculating who he could be.
When he returns properly next year, Mark will reunite with his half‑sister Vicki Fowler (played by Alice Haig), marking the first time the siblings have shared screen time in nearly a decade.
Speaking about joining the show, 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!”
Touching on his character’s long absence from the BBC soap, he continued: “I’m looking forward to viewers seeing why Mark is back, and what Walford has in store for him.”
Executive producer Ben Wadey teased big things ahead: “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 Year’s Day flash‑forward episode, with the circumstances around his upcoming involvement with the Brannings set to unfold throughout the year.”
Stephen will be taking over the role from Ned Porteous who is currently starring in Emmerdale as Joe Tate. He was cast in 2016 as Mark Fowler Jr – the son of Michelle Fowler and Grant Mitchell, as well as the nephew of Martin Fowler.
His character was only in the soap for a brief time as he flew from Florida to London in search of his real dad, before he headed back to America after a month on our screens.
Born off-screen in 1996, his existence was unheard of on the soap until 20 years on when his presence in Albert Square unearthed the secret as he demanded answers.
As he joined EastEnders, Ned shared: “Being part of two iconic families and the longest kept secret in EastEnders’ history is beyond exciting! I’m honoured to be here and can’t wait for viewers to meet Mark Jr.”
Ned made his return to the ITV soap in 2024 as Joe Tate made a surprise visit to Home Farm as he was revealed as the puppet master behind Will Taylor’s revenge plan for Kim Tate.
