EastEnders Star Susan Tully Undergoes Dramatic Transformation Since Leaving Show

Image credits: @amevs5/Instagram

Former EastEnders actress Susan Tully, who played Michelle Fowler on the popular soap, has undergone a dramatic transformation since her departure from the show in 1995. Now aged 57, she sports a chic bob haircut, a stark contrast to Michelle's iconic shoulder-length curls. Fans were taken aback by Susan's new look in a recent photo where she was seen smiling alongside Michelle Collins, who portrayed Cindy Beale in EastEnders.

During her stint as Michelle, Susan was involved in numerous high-profile storylines, most notably when her character fell pregnant at 16 by 'Dirty Den' Watts, who was the adoptive father of her best friend, Sharon Mitchell. Despite leaving Albert Square in 1995, the character of Michelle returned to Walford in 2016, but Susan chose not to reprise her role, with Jenna Russell stepping into the part for just over a year. The former Grange Hill star has since retired from acting and transitioned into directing, working on shows such as Silent Witness, Stella, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Strike, and Line of Duty.

She also directed two episodes of the BBC police drama Line of Duty and the ITV thriller Too Close. Despite her success behind the camera, fans are still hopeful to see her return to her iconic role as Martin's sister Michelle. However, director Susan Tully has confirmed she won't be reprising her role in the soap. Sean O'Connor, a former executive producer, had approached Tully about the potential return of Michelle Fowler in 2016 and she gave the green light for the show to recast the character. Some of her notable directing works include:

• Line of Duty
• Too Close
• Strike
• Secret Diary of a Call Girl
• Stella

The news comes as EastEnders celebrated its remarkable 40th anniversary, with dedicated fans being moved to tears by a dramatic live episode this week. In an emotional twist, Martin Fowler was written out of the storyline through a tragic death. The BBC flagship programme, which first graced television screens in 1985, rounded off its anniversary festivities with a live broadcast, showcasing the repercussions of a fatal explosion and unraveling a public vote outcome involving a love triangle plot. Susan Tully's transformation and career change have been an interesting topic of discussion among fans, with many praising her work as a director, particularly in the TV drama genre.

Despite speculation, Susan Tully has made it clear that she has no plans to return to acting, and her focus is now on her directing career. Fans of EastEnders will have to wait and see what the future holds for the show, but for now, they can appreciate Susan Tully's contributions to the world of television, both in front of and behind the camera. With her new look and successful directing career, Susan Tully is an inspiration to many, and her legacy as Michelle Fowler will always be remembered by fans of the show.