EastEnders is bringing back Mark Fowler Jr for the first time since 2016, with a brand-new actor playing him. Well, that’s not exactly true, as we’ve already seen the new Mark on our screens already, although we didn’t know it at the time…

Previously, the character was played by Ned Porteous, until he departed in a storyline where he learned that Grant Mitchell is his dad.

After leaving EastEnders, Porteous went over to Emmerdale to play Joe Tate, initially appearing between 2017 and 2018. He returned at Christmas 2024 and has been back ever since.

Now Mark Jr is being played by Stephen Aaron-Sipple, who has appeared in episodes of The Witcher, Cuckoo, and The Outlaws.

The particularly eagle-eyed fans among you may recognise Stephen from the New Year’s Day flashforward episode, where he was just credited as ‘Man’.

Although the soap is keeping the reason for Mark Jr’s return schtum for now, he is going to be heavily involved in the Branning family’s storylines this year.

It’s also likely that he’ll have plenty of scenes with his older sister Vicki and the Mitchell clan, but will they welcome him back to Walford or not?

“We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Aaron-Sipple to EastEnders and bring Mark back to Albert Square,” showrunner Ben Wadey said.

“Viewers had a glimpse of Mark in the New Year’s Day flashforward episode, with the circumstances around his upcoming involvement with the Brannings set to unfold throughout the year.”

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