Michelle Fowler
Michelle Fowler (also Holloway) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera "EastEnders", played by Susan Tully from the first episode in 1985 until the character's departure in 1995. In December 2016, it was announced Michelle would be returning to the show after 21 years, with actress Jenna Russell taking over the role making her first appearance on 24 December 2016. In her first stint Michelle made some huge mistakes during her time in Albert Square mainly through having a habit of choosing the wrong men and her stubborn nature meant that she rarely accepted help or listened to good advice. Being determined and outspoken, she has never been afraid to defend herself or her beliefs. Since the recast to Russell in 2016, Michelle's storylines have revolved around her having had an illegal relationship with her student, Preston Cooper (Martin Anzor) in America, a love triangle involving her niece Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield), crashing Phil Mitchell car into the local chip shop and being stalked by Tom Bailey (Daniel Casey). Russell's departure from the show was announced in March 2018, and Michelle departed on 17 April 2018.
Joan Hooley
Her other credits include roles in "No Hiding Place" (1961); "Danger Man" (1965); "Special Branch" (1969); as Umma in "C.A.B." (1988); "The Bill" (1988; 1993); "Bugs" (1995) and "Kavanagh QC" (1997). In 1998 she was cast as Josie McFarlane, the mother of Mick McFarlane (Sylvester Williams), in the BBC soap opera "EastEnders". The character was introduced by executive producer Matthew Robinson, but in November 1999 it was announced that Hooley's character was being dropped. Hooley made her final appearance in episodes transmitted in February 2000. Since leaving the serial, Hooley has publicly accused "EastEnders" and the BBC of racism and tokenism, for giving her character no significant storylines, and using her like a prop. In 2000 she commented, "It was very demeaning and a form of insidious racism. That is a very strong phrase to use against the BBC and "EastEnders" but I feel very badly about how they handled my character. They were just fulfilling a duty to have a black face in the show."