| Beale family | |
|---|---|
| EastEnders family | |
 | |
| First appearance | Episode 1 19 February 1985 |
| Created by | Tony Holland and Julia Smith |
| Introduced by | Julia Smith |
| Duration | 1985–present |
| Spin-offs | "CivvyStreet" |
The Beales and the Fowlers are a fictional family in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. They were the main family for storylines in early episodes of EastEnders, and remained as such ever since. With at least one member of the family having been a member of the cast from the first episode in February 1985, they are the show's longest serving family. The original Beale/Fowler family consisted of matriarch Lou Beale (Anna Wing) and her children Pete (Peter Dean) and Pauline (Wendy Richard), alongside their families including their children Ian (Adam Woodyatt), Mark (David Scarboro/Todd Carty), Michelle (Susan Tully/Jenna Russell) and their spouses Kathy Hills (Gillian Taylforth) and Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher). Additionally, several members of the family have been introduced at a later point, including Pauline and Arthur's son Martin (Jon Peyton-Price/James Alexandrou/James Bye) who was the first baby to be born into the show in 1985. The family has been headed with a matriarch first seen with Lou, and over the years, Lou's daughter Pauline, Ian's wife Jane Collins (Laurie Brett) and more recently Pete's wife Kathy, have filled this role.
The Beale family have been rejuvenated several times. In 2004, Peter Beale and Lucy Beale were recast to give them a more mature look.[1] By 2007, there were few members of the Beale family left and no Fowlers, so the family were revamped. Peter was recast again.[2] Ian Beale started a relationship with Jane, who later became his wife, and Steven Beale also returned. By 2010, the number of Beales had fallen again. Lucy was recast and in 2013, Peter and Bobby were recast and Cindy Williams Jnr, the half-sister of Peter and Lucy, was reintroduced.[3][4][5] In addition to this at the start of 2014 Bex Fowler returned to the serial with her mother Sonia Fowler, with Martin Fowler following 11 months later in December.[6][7] In 2014 Lucy is found dead, causing her family and friends to struggle to come to terms with her death and the secrets she left behind, putting many people in the frame for her murder. In 2014, Cindy Jr's daughter Beth Williams is also introduced to the serial. It was revealed on 19 February 2015 that she was killed by her own 11-year-old brother, Bobby.[8] It was also revealed that Kathy Beale, who was presumed dead in 2006, was alive after having faked her death with her new husband in South Africa.[9] In December 2016, Michelle Fowler returned to Albert Square after originally leaving in 1995, although now played by Jenna Russell. Susan Tully, the original actress, had turned down many previous offers to return to the show, having since giving up acting to work as a director. In 2019, Bobby Beale was reintroduced with new actor Clay Milner Russell taking over the role. In 2020, Peter Beale was recast for the seventh time with new actor Dayle Hudson playing the role; Thomas Law resumed the role in June 2023.
The Beales and Fowlers are one of EastEnders most iconic families and have been a major part of the show since its inception in 1985. They have been known for their ownership and occupation of some of the Square's businesses including a café, launderette and a fruit stall which have become historical references to show. The Beales and Fowlers are characterized as a traditional "East-end family" and have been known for representing the show in some of its classical storylines, which have brought the show some of its highest viewers. These include their rivalry with the Watts, Mitchell and Branning families, shady publican Den Watts impregnating 16-year old Michelle Fowler leading to the birth of their daughter Vicki, Mark Fowler revealing his HIV diagnosis, Arthur Fowler's affair with Christine Hewitt and later being wrongly imprisoned for embezzlement, Ian's wife Cindy's affair with his half-brother David Wicks and Ian later being shot by a hitman hired by Cindy, Mel Healy jilting Ian at the turn of the millennium, Martin Fowler impregnating Sonia Jackson at fifteen, Pauline's death, Lucy Beale being murdered by her younger brother Bobby, and Kathy and Cindy's returns after being presumed dead.
Members of the Beale family currently in EastEnders as of 2024 include Ian, Peter; and his son Louie Beale, Martin and Martin's daughter Hope. Additionally, several others may be considered Beales through marriage; Ian's mother and Pete's ex-wife Kathy, his niece Lexi Pearce and Martin's ex-wives Sonia, and Stacey Slater are also among these. Lily Slater and Arthur Fowler have Pauline and Arthur's son, Martin, as their adoptive father. Ian's ex-wife and current partner Cindy is also considered a member of the family.
- ^ "Eastenders Sack TV Twins". Mirror. 8 August 2004. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ Green, Kris (17 August 2006). "Enders' New Peter Beale revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "EastEnders' Lucy Beale to be recast for Albert Square Return". Metro. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (19 April 2013). "'EastEnders:' Peter Beale recast, returning in summer". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (31 January 2013). "'EastEnders' Bobby Beale role recast". Digital Dpy.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (19 December 2013). "EastEnders: Jasmine Armfield to play Sonia's daughter Rebecca". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "EastEnders recasts Martin Fowler: James Bye takes over role". Digital Spy. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ Walker, Danny (19 February 2015). "Bobby Beale Killed Lucy: EastEnders whodunnit is Revealed now lets connect the dots". The Mirror. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ Babbage, Rachel (19 February 2015). "EastEnders Live: Kathy Beale returns for showdown with Phil Mitchell". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 January 2016.