It’s been a whirlwind year for Max Bowden. Just months ago, he was reflecting on his post-EastEnders chapter – one that has taken him from the gritty drama of Albert Square to the emotional depths of wartime theatre and now into the world of musical performance.
But as life off-screen surges forward, Max hasn’t left the soap behind entirely. Even with his busy schedule, the actor remains closely tied to the program that made him famous, and what he thinks of the most recent soap shocker is nothing if not sincere.
EastEnders: From Walford to Broadway Dreams
Hardly six months had passed since Max talked of his first major role since retiring Ben Mitchell‘s shoes. The actor, who had become the sixth version of the problematic Mitchell son, had immersed himself in the potent World War I epic, Birdsong, an adaptation of Sebastian Faulks‘ celebrated novel. The stage tour had kept him far from Walford but did not keep him out of the limelight for long.
And now, Max is embracing another transformation — this one as Rico “Ratso” Rizzo in the musical Midnight Cowboy. The role has him team up with the character of Joe Buck, a troubled cowboy pursuing his dreams in New York City. Picking up a thick New York accent, singing, and even dancing, Max characterized the challenge with excitement — it’s evident he’s enjoying every aspect of the process.
Amidst all this, Max has managed to stay abreast of EastEnders. Discussing recent episodes, he complimented Steve McFadden’s strong acting in a mental health plotline, stating that the actor had produced good work. He further added how much he liked Keith Allen and Ross Kemp’s short comeback and how the live episode for the show’s 40th anniversary was memorable to him as something special.
Max specifically praised Lacey Turner and James Bye’s performances in that episode, describing them as “amazing.” He also sincerely wished James well, pointing out that he had launched into a new role in the stage play Death Comes to Pemberley immediately after his character Martin Fowler’s dramatic departure from the Square.
Max Spills the Beans About Martin’s Departure
Martin Fowler’s on-screen death on EastEnders shocked fans—and Max was as surprised as the rest. Looking back on the surprise, he explained that it was born on screen in the soap’s history.
Max did not mince words when praising James Bye’s performance as Martin, hailing him as a “really good actor” and praising how the story was played out. He thought the move to kill off the character was handled in a “tactful” manner and said he did not doubt that viewers would greatly miss Martin.
Max admitted that viewers still notice Ben Mitchell’s absence from the Square, particularly those who witnessed the romantic ups and downs of Ben and Callum’s relationship. The two, or “Ballum,” as devoted fans call them, were momentarily reunited off-stage when Callum was seen paying a visit to Ben in America for a conjugal visit. The news featured Ben being “in the best shape of his life” and even penning poetry.
Max took solace in that off-camera closure, smiling and saying he was happy to hear Ben was okay. He confirmed that even though he had left, he continues to think about the character frequently, and bringing Ben to life for five years had been “a gift.”
Max Bowden might have progressed to fresh stages, scripts, and accents. But it’s safe to say that his bond with EastEnders—and the characters he came of age with—remains as steadfast as ever. We will keep you posted about this on Soap Opera Daily. Stay tuned!
