Martin Fowler (EastEnders)

Martin Fowler
EastEnders character
James Bye as Martin Fowler (2024)
Portrayed by	Jon Peyton-Price (1985–1996) James Alexandrou (1996–2007) James Bye (2014–present)
Duration	1985–2007, 2014–present
First appearance	Episode 49 6 August 1985 (1985-08-06)
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Julia Smith (1985) Dominic Treadwell-Collins (2014)
Spin-off appearances	The Queen Vic Quiz Night (2020)
James Alexandrou as Martin Fowler (2007)
Jon Peyton-Price as Martin Fowler (1993)
In-universe information Occupation Market trader (fruit and veg) Chip shop assistant Doorman Barman Family Fowler/Beale Father Arthur Fowler Mother Pauline Fowler Stepfather Joe Macer Brothers Mark Fowler Sisters Michelle Fowler Wife Sonia Jackson (2004–2006, 2007–2015) Stacey Slater (2016–2020) Ruby Allen (2020–2021) Sons Roman Allen Daughters Bex Fowler Hope Fowler Adoptive sons Arthur Fowler Adoptive daughters Lily Slater Grandfathers Albert Beale Grandmothers Lou Beale Uncles Sandy Fowler Julian Fowler Kenny Beale Pete Beale Aunts Maggie Flaherty Norma Beale Dora Beale Nephews Mark Fowler Jnr Nieces Vicki Fowler First cousins Eamonn Flaherty Tommy Flaherty John Flaherty Conor Flaherty Elizabeth Beale David Wicks Ian Beale Other relatives Betty Kenneth Beale Colette Flaherty Eamonn Flaherty Jnr Declan Flaherty Kylie Flaherty Carl Flaherty Mary Flaherty Peter Beale Lucy Beale Bobby Beale Bianca Jackson Natasha Butcher Liam Butcher Tiffany Butcher Morgan Butcher Joe Wicks Karen Wicks Betty Beale Flo Medeemey Doris Miller Elsie Medeemey Terence Medeemey Queenie Medeemey Liz Medeemey Nora Nellie Ellis

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, and by James Alexandrou from 1996 until 2007. When Alexandrou took over the role, Martin became part of the regular cast, and was featured in prominent storylines such as sleeping with Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and getting her pregnant with their daughter, Bex Fowler (Jade Sharif/Jasmine Armfield); developing a romantic crush on Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), which is not reciprocated, 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 after their wedding; being stalked by Sarah Cairns (Alison Pargeter), and coping with the deaths of both 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.

In October 2014, it was announced that executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins decided to reintroduce Martin, with the role being recast to James Bye and Martin returned on 5 December 2014. Since his return in 2014, Martin has divorced Sonia; married Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner); finding out that Stacey's son Arthur Fowler is actually the son of his best friend Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami); surviving a bus crash; a brief two week stint in prison for assaulting a police officer, the premature birth of his daughter, Hope Fowler; briefly separating from Stacey after discovering her one-night stand with her former lover, Max Branning (Jake Wood); feuding with both Kush as well as Stacey's cousin, Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) over Arthur’s custody; dealing with Bex's disappearance and attempted suicide; being blackmailed by Phil’s son, Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) into committing crimes for him, ending his marriage to Stacey in attempts to protect her and their children against the death threats made towards them by Ben, a one-night stand with Stacey's best friend, Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton), descending into crime, being involved in a hit-and-run accident, kidnapping Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) and faking his death with help from Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), briefly reuniting with Sonia, a year-long marriage to Ruby, discovering that his stepdaughter, Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) is pregnant at the age of twelve, and learning that Ruby had secretly had his son, Roman Allen.

Martin was absent for two months, between 2 August and 4 October 2019, as part of Stacey’s temporary exit storyline. Bye took another break from the show in 2024, with Martin departing on 22 January. He returned on 18 March.