EastEnders' Joel Marshall star has a famous mum who also appeared on the BBC soap
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
EastEnders' newcomer, Joel Marshall, has found himself at the centre of a chilling plot as his father uncovers his sinister secret.
Joel made his first appearance in Walford earlier this year, alongside his father Ross (played by Alex Walkinshaw) and Ross's partner Vicki Fowler (portrayed by Alice Haig). The trio returned from Australia following the death of Martin Fowler (James Bye).
At first, Ross confessed to being heavily in debt due to Joel, having borrowed a large sum to pay off debts. However, last week saw Ross unveil the truth about Joel's past, leaving Vicki shocked.
READ MORE - Buckingham Palace issue major King Charles update and it's 'first time in 17 years'
READ MORE - TV crime drama with unheard of 100% Rotten Tomatoes score sees fans 'make demand'
Ross's fury ignited when he stumbled upon his son in an intimate situation with fellow student Avani Nandra-Hart, played by Aaliyah James, 24.
Vicki was perplexed by Ross's strong reaction to the teenagers' sexual encounter, but he remained silent, avoiding any conversation on the subject, according to Plymouth Live, reports Belfast Live.
However, Ross's worst fears came true when he discovered that the cunning teen had secretly filmed his intimate moments with Avani without her consent. In an attempt to impress his best friend Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall), Joel showed him the footage.
The disturbing secret held between father and son was then revealed to Vicki, indicating that this wasn't Joel's first instance of predatory behaviour.
News has surfaced that Joel was involved in a controversial incident involving an inappropriate photo of a girl while in Australia, a situation that led to Ross paying off the family to keep the police at bay.
EastEnders is tackling the pervasive issue of toxic masculinity through the character of Joel, whose storyline depicts traits synonymous with incel ideology.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
Taking on the challenging role of Joel is Max Murray, who joins the cast of the renowned BBC One series. The exact age of the promising young actor remains unconfirmed, but it's believed he is around 17.
Max shared his excitement about being part of EastEnders: "It's an absolute privilege and honour to be joining such a wonderful production full of a lovely cast and crew."
He also expressed eagerness about his character, stating: "I'm really looking forward to introducing Joel to EastEnders viewers and telling his story."
Despite being new to many viewers, acting runs in Max's blood; his mother, Gina Murray, began her own television career with The Bill in 1994.
Now 51, Gina Murray has enjoyed roles on several esteemed television shows including Doctors, Judge John Deed, and most recently in ITV's 2023 portrayal of Lesley Stobbart in the fact-based drama The Hunt for Raoul Moat.
Gina, too, had a brief stint in the world of EastEnders in 2014 playing a character named Helen and brings a wealth of theatre experience from starring in hits such as Mamma Mia, Chicago, The Full Monty, Fame, and Hairspray.
Gina hails from a family of renowned entertainers; she is the daughter of successful songwriter Mitch Murray and Grazina Frame, who was a regular on The Morecambe and Wise Show between 1971-1974. Grazina also appeared on The Fenn Street Gang, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), among other shows.
Her talent spans both stage and screen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
13 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Jo Joyner would 'love' to return to Doctor Who
Jo Joyner would 'love' to return to Doctor Who The 48-year-old actress played Lynda Moss in two episodes - 'Bad Wolf' and 'The Parting of the Ways' - of the hit BBC sci-fi franchise's first revival series in 2005 Jo Joyner in Little Disasters (Image: Paramount Plus ) Jo Joyner wants to return to 'Doctor Who'. The 48-year-old actress played Lynda Moss in two episodes - 'Bad Wolf' and 'The Parting of the Ways' - of the hit BBC sci-fi franchise's first revival series in 2005. Her alter ego was one of the 'Big Brother' contestants onboard the Game Station in the year 200100, and after she met the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and his companion Captain Jack Harness (John Barrowman), the trio set out to save Christopher's second on-screen sidekick Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) from her death while playing 'The Weakest Link'. As Jo loved her experience on 'Doctor Who' - whose head writer and showrunner is Russell T Davies - she is keen to make a comeback to the franchise in the future. She told the Metro newspaper's 60 Seconds column: "I'd love to return to the franchise. I think it's such a wonderful thing. "I really enjoyed that job, it was with Russell T Davies when he first launched it with Chris Eccleston as The Doctor, and I did the last two episodes of 'The Bad Wolf'." Article continues below Jo revealed that Lynda could not serve as an assistant to the Time Lord in the second series of the 'Doctor Who' revival because the actress was contracted to the Channel 4 comedy-drama 'No Angels'. So, Russell wrote Lynda's scenes in the two episodes Jo did to tease that her alter ego could be the sidekick. Jo explained: "At the time I was filming 'No Angels', and I was contracted to them, so we knew I'd have to go back to 'No Angels'. "But when Russell knew it was me, he said, 'Oh, I'm going to play with it a little bit. I'm going to make it look like you might be the new assistant for the next series even though we know that you can't be.'" And the TV star has thanked the show's fans - nicknamed The Whovians - for their support over the years. Jo said: "It was lovely because you just know there are no fans quite like The Whovians. Article continues below "I mean, they are another level of fanhood and they've been so lovely to me over the years. "They really enjoyed that twist of, 'Will she be hanging on, or not?' "That's the wonderful thing about 'Doctor Who', isn't it?"
Wales Online
13 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Tameka Empson hates round tables after tense Celebrity Traitors scenes
Tameka Empson hates round tables after tense Celebrity Traitors scenes The 'EastEnders' actress took a break from Albert Square to take part in the spin-off of the hit BBC reality series and revealed that she has been scarred for life by the programme's confrontational round table scenes Tameka Empson has been entertaining EastEnders fans since 2009 (Image: BBC ) Tameka Empson "can't look at a round table again" after starring in 'Celebrity Traitors'. The 'EastEnders' actress took a break from Albert Square to take part in the spin-off of the hit BBC reality series and revealed that she has been scarred for life by the programme's confrontational round table scenes. Tameka told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I can't look at a round table again. I'm like, 'Do we have a square or oval please?' Never a round table again. It is brilliant, but equally it can be stressful." The 48-year-old star is looking forward to watching the show as she didn't get the complete picture of proceedings during filming in Scotland and has also hinted at some dramatic scenes for her character Kim Fox upon her return to Walford. Tameka said: "There is going to be more joy now that Kim is back on the Square, and she is going to be a bit emotional. I hope viewers understand her pain." Article continues below The star suggested that Kim's husband Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) could be making a return to the BBC soap for the first time since 2018 – even though the character was declared dead in 2021. Empson said: "If he turns up then he's got to turn up with something in his hands. It's been a long while now. Watch this space, people." Meanwhile, Tameka revealed that she "enjoyed" the way 'EastEnders' marked its 40th anniversary in February and shared the sadness of viewers following the tragic death of Martin Fowler (James Bye) following an explosion at the Queen Victoria pub. Article continues below She told "I really enjoyed the 40th, if I'm honest, because it had everyone in it, and it was sad to see Martin go. It really was. And I think, well, the nation felt it, and people took time off work." Tameka was also impressed with the community feel of the soap's special week of episodes to mark the milestone anniversary. The actress, who has played Kim since 2009, said: "I think it was a real time where you saw all the characters coming together, and 40 years in the game as well. I remember watching it as a child, and now I'm in it, and to be there, it's a real... that's a real moment for me, I have to say."
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Apprentice star who grills candidates for Alan Sugar is 'shamed' after falling for iTunes gift card scam
A successful businessman and star of The Apprentice has admitted falling victim to an iTunes gift card con. Publishing guru Mike Soutar, who grills candidates on the BBC series for Lord Alan Sugar, has told of his 'shame' after succumbing to an elaborate online fraud. The entrepreneur, 58, was tricked into paying £150 for Apple iTunes vouchers, he has revealed. He had received an email that he thought came from Scottish businessman Tim Allan, whom he sits alongside on the board of the V&A Museum in Dundee. It asked him to buy £450 worth of vouchers for members of staff at the museum to recognise their recent hard work in preparing a new exhibition. Mr Soutar, who said he was pushed for time, immediately bought vouchers to the value of £150 - but his credit card blocked his attempt to purchase more. He then realised the email address the message had been sent from was different from Mr Allan's. And when he called his colleague, who is chairman of the V&A Dundee, he realised he had been scammed. Mr Soutar has now spoken out about falling prey, writing on LinkedIn: 'When Tim Allan CBE asks you to take on an assignment you snap to it. 'So when he emails a request for me to take on a "special assignment" early on Saturday morning, I am intrigued. '"Can you buy some vouchers for some of the members of the team to recognise their hard work over and above the call of duty?" 'This is typical Tim. Brilliant at knowing the right time to make a personal gesture. And he's right - the team have been working overtime to put on an epic new Garden Design exhibition. 'We exchange emails. Tim says he knows he can trust me to keep it all confidential. And then: "Can you get the vouchers in the next 20-30 minutes?" 'Erm, OK, I reply, but it'll have to be online. "That's fine," he says, "Just get iTune gift cards, do £450-worth, send me the PINs and keep the cards in an envelope for me.' 'He sounds a bit stressed and impatient so I try to call him. I get no answer but, pressed for time myself, I buy £150 of vouchers. 'My credit card flags the second transaction and blocks it. I curse the overcautious fraud filter, and I tap on Tim's name at the top of the email address. He has been interviewing candidates on The Apprentice on each series since 2011 'It is not his email address. I message him. He phones me back. "What's all this about vouchers?" I've been scammed.' Mr Soutar ultimately got his money back but has gone public with the details, saying he wanted to warn others that anyone can fall victim to fraud. He added: 'The part that stings is the sense of shame. The stomach-punch to your self-worth. The voice in your head saying, "You absolute mug, Mike. How did you fall for it?" 'The irony is not lost on me. I'm the man who catches unwitting candidates out on The Apprentice! 'But scams don't prey on stupidity. They prey on timing. On stress. On distraction. They exploit trust. That's why so many victims don't talk about it. 'Because it feels personal. It shakes something deeper than your bank balance. 'So here I am, not staying silent. Fraud can happen to anyone. Even me. Even you.' Dundee-born Mr Soutar has had various senior executive roles in the publishing industry and was recently appointed to the UK Government's Board of Trade to champion the best of British business to the rest of the world. He is seen alongside singer Sam Ruder as part of an SXSW London 2025 panel on Tuesday His previous jobs have included being editor of Smash Hits magazine aged 23, managing director of radio station Kiss FM and co-founder and chairman of publishing firm Shortlist Media. He has been one of Lord Sugar's on-screen interviewers of the final candidates on every series of the Apprentice since 2011, subjecting them to tough questioning. Figures released earlier this week revealed Scottish victims have lost more than £860,000 to cyber criminals in the last year. In what is dubbed a "scamdemic" by charity Advice Direct Scotland, the number of such crimes rose from 94 in 2021-22 to 1,119 in 2024-25 - up 1,090 per cent.
