Chelle's bells - look who's back!

A familiar character, with a new face, has returned to Albert Square. Welcome back Michelle Fowler!

Tonight’s EastEnders Christmas Eve episode saw the shock return of Michelle Fowler after more than twenty years, having left Walford in 1995 to start a new life in America.

As one of the show’s original and iconic characters, viewers saw Michelle (played by a new actress, Jenna Russell), pull up outside the Minute Mart in the back of a black cab, before an emotional reunion with long-time best friend Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean).

Michelle was last seen leaving Albert Square in 1995, with daughter Vicki, having discovered she was pregnant with Grant Mitchell’s baby. Now she is back and proves to be a more than a welcome sight for Sharon, who is finding the strain of husband, Phil (Steve McFadden), awaiting a liver transplant all too much to cope with.

In the episode tonight, (Saturday 24th December), Sharon was stunned to see Phil waiting at home after walking out on the Mitchells days before. His apology to Sharon came with a touching gift – an eternity ring – and as an overwhelmed Sharon stepped outside for some air, she came face to face with Michelle.

Reasons for her returning to the Square will unfold in episodes airing in early January. In a special episode focusing on her and Sharon, viewers will learn the truth as to why Michelle is back in Walford after all these years.

Talking about taking on the role of such a well-known character, Jenna Russell said: “It is a great honour to play such an iconic character. I know the audience loved Michelle Fowler so much, and even though she hasn’t been on our screen for twenty years, she’s very much in the fans’ psyche. When I used to watch EastEnders all those years ago, she was one of my favourite characters. I’m extremely excited for what is in store for Michelle.”

Sean O’Connor, Executive Producer added: “I am thrilled to have secured Jenna Russell to play Michelle Fowler, one of the show’s most celebrated characters. The Square really has missed her over the past twenty years. Having worked with her before, Jenna was always in mind when I first started planning for Michelle’s return. I think the audience are going to take Michelle back into their hearts; still flawed, complicated and infuriating after two decades away, but still loveable all the same. It’s going to be appointment TV watching Michelle’s car crash of a life unravel all over again.”

Award-winning actress Jenna has an extensive range of television and theatre credits to her name. Her accolades include both an Olivier Award and Theatre World Award for Broadway Debut Performance playing Dot, in Sunday In The Park with George, which she performed in London and on Broadway. She was also nominated for both a Tony and Drama Desk Award for that role. She has received Olivier Award Nominations for her performances as Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along, and Sarah Brown opposite Ewan McGregor in Guys and Dolls. Other recent Theatre credits include Mephistopheles in Dr Faustus starring opposite Kit Harington, and Little Edie in Grey Gardens with Sheila Hancock. Jenna has played leading roles at The National Theatre, Royal Court, RSC and Almeida Theatre as well as many other West End credits.

Jenna's TV credits include Call the Midwife, The Paradise and Holby City. Jenna also played the leading roles of Deborah in Born and Bred (4 series), Maggie in On The Up (3 series), Bernadette in Picking Up The Pieces (1 series), and Petra in the 2009 version of Minder alongside EastEnders actor Shane Richie (1 series). Jenna also sings the theme tune for the hit TV series, Red Dwarf.