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 at fifteen, Bex Fowler (Jade Sharif/Jasmine Armfield) with Sonia Jackson (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.
Creation and development Introduction (1985)
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, ignoring her mother Lou Beale (Anna Wing)'s protests, 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 July 1985.
Characterisation 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.
Departure (2007) 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.
Return and recast (2014)
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 Byewe 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.
Departure and death (2025) 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.
Storylines 1985–2007 When Pauline and Arthur tell Pauline's mother, Lou Beale (Anna Wing) that Pauline is pregnant, Lou is furious because they have two teenage children, Mark Fowler (David Scarboro) and Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully), and Arthur is unemployed. Lou gives them the choice of either giving the child up for adoption, having an abortion or the family moving out of her home, but she is won round when the family organise a holiday for her to Clacton. The baby's first christening is postponed when he is diagnosed with gastroenteritis and Lou is delighted when he is finally christened Martin Albert Fowler. When Pauline discovers Arthur had an affair with Christine Hewitt (Elizabeth Power), she bans Arthur from seeing Martin, but they eventually reconcile.
Arthur dies suddenly in May 1996, when Martin is still only 10 years old. Martin then befriends a small gang of young criminals from his local school. He takes part in a series of petty thefts, burglaries and vandalism that culminates in him being arrested. Martin is placed under the supervision of a social worker.
Martin has a brief relationship with Nicky di Marco (Carly Hillman) in his early teens, but she refuses to have sex with him. Martin turns to Sonia Jackson (Natalie Cassidy) after Nicky dumps him. Sonia is feeling vulnerable after being dumped by Enrico di Clemente (Francis Pandolfo), and after getting drunk, they lose their virginities to each other; she becomes pregnant, but they are both completely unaware of the pregnancy until she goes into childbirth.
Sonia gives birth to daughter, Chloe Jackson and she decides to give Chloe up for adoption. When she names Martin as the father, a feud erupts between the Jacksons and the Fowlers, with Pauline demanding custody of the baby instead of her being adopted. This leads to a court hearing where Sonia asks that baby Chloe be returned to her and she will raise her with her boyfriend, Jamie Mitchell (Jack Ryder), if Martin asks for custody with Pauline to support him. However, the judge rules that the adoption should go ahead when Martin admits that he does not want to be a father. Martin continues to go off the rails in December 2000 when he takes drugs provided by Nick Cotton (John Altman), which leads to Martin's brother Mark (now Todd Carty) taking revenge and leaving Nick temporarily paralysed, spiking his drink and luring him onto the viaduct, from which he falls.
Martin receives a six-month prison sentence in February 2003 after driving the car that hit Jamie, causing his death. However, he only serves two months, being let out early for good behaviour. Once released, Martin resumes his criminal lifestyle by robbing a shop, blackmailing Kareena Ferreira (Pooja Shah) and growing cannabis in his late father's shed, assisted by his best friend, Asif Malik (Ashvin Luximon). This leads to family friend Derek Harkinson (Ian Lavender) taking the blame when the police find out, as Martin cannot risk trouble with the law, due to his previous convictions. It is not until Martin is confronted and forgiven by a bereaved Sonia that he finally begins to feel remorse for his actions and attempts to reform himself.
After a few brief relationships, including a one-night stand with Kelly Taylor (Brooke Kinsella), Martin begins growing close to Sonia, and they fall in love. After Sonia helps him come to terms with the death of his brother in 2004, Martin decides to propose marriage. Amidst constant interference from Pauline, Martin and Sonia decide to elope. The newlyweds move in with Pauline but she puts constant strain on their marriage with her meddling. Several months later, Martin unwittingly puts his marriage in jeopardy when he encounters Sarah Cairns (Alison Pargeter). After passing out drunk at Sarah's house, she claims that Martin slept with her and begins stalking him. When Martin physically threatens her, she calls the police and has him arrested before revealing their "affair" to Sonia. Sarah's plan is thwarted, however, as Sonia refuses to leave her husband. After admitting that their affair is a lie, Sarah stabs Martin with a kitchen knife but Sonia hits her over the head with Pauline's fruit bowl. Sarah is committed to a mental institution and Martin and Sonia put the incident behind them.
Pauline's influence over Martin starts putting a strain on his marriage. Things worsen when Sonia finds out that Martin and Pauline have been visiting her and Martin's daughter (now named Rebecca) against her wishes. Their marriage breaks down, due to Sonia's affair with a fellow student, Naomi Julien (Petra Letang). Martin is devastated but she soon regrets it when Martin is given custody of their daughter following the death of her adoptive parents and they frequently exclude her from Rebecca's life. Martin tries to move on by dating Carly Wicks (Kellie Shirley) briefly, stirring up some jealousy in Sonia. Immediately after they divorce, they begin to regret it and sleep together. They then secretly reunite and hope to keep it from Pauline but she eventually finds out and they argue. Pauline prepares to leave but the house catches fire, and Martin saves her. Pauline then claims that she is dying from a brain tumour. In fact, she is faking it to make sure that Martin ends his relationship with Sonia, which he eventually does. However, Martin is stunned when it is revealed that Pauline has been lying.