Exclusive: Former EastEnders star Max Bowden reacts to Martin’s tragic death

It was only six months ago that Inside Soap was chatting to Max Bowden about his first acting job since leaving EastEnders.

The star – who won a legion of fans playing the sixth incarnation of Ben Mitchell – had swapped the battlegrounds of Walford for the trenches of Sebastian Faulks’ WWI epic, Birdsong.

And now, weeks after the stage tour finishing, he’s managed to lasso another role in a new musical, Midnight Cowboy.

Max plays Rico ‘Ratso’ Rizzo, a conman who teams up with tortured cowboy Joe Buck to achieve their dreams on the mean streets of the Big Apple – with Max tackling a New York accent, dusting off his dancing shoes and breaking into song.

Yet, while all this has been going on, the star has still found time to tune into EastEnders!

eastenders max bowden in rehearsals for midnight cowboy

“I’ve been watching Steve McFadden’s storyline – the man can act, can’t he?” applauds Max, responding to his former screen dad’s mental health plot. “The episodes with Keith Allen, and Ross [Kemp, aka Grant Mitchell] coming back, were brilliant. It’s been a strong time for the show and it’s always nice to see EastEnders doing well.

“I thought the live episode for the 40th was incredible,” adds the star. “Lacey Turner [who plays Stacey] and Jimmy Bye [Martin] were amazing – and how great is it that Jimmy has gone straight into another job [the stage show Death Comes to Pemberley]? I’m so happy for him.”

Square chiefs stunned the nation with the decision to bump off Martin, and as someone who knows EastEnders as well as Max does, what did he think of the tragic twist?

“It’s always a shock whenever a character is killed – especially one as memorable as Martin,” notes the actor. “He was the first baby ever to be born on screen in EastEnders and Jim is such a good actor. But what a brilliant story. I think the way it was done was really tactful and he’ll be missed, I’m sure.”

The absence of Max’s former alter-ego Ben in the soap is still keenly felt, particularly by viewers who were invested in his romance with Callum.

callum highway, ben mitchell, eastenders

That said, the writers were kind enough to reunite Ballum off-screen towards the end of last year, when Callum flew over to America to see Ben in jail for a conjugal visit – as we learned that Ben’s in “the best shape of his life” and writing poetry.

“I’m glad that he’s in the best shape of his life!” grins Max. “You always think of characters after you’ve left them, and I do care a lot about Ben. We spent five tumultuous years together and it was a gift to bring him to life. I’m really pleased he’s doing well.”

Related articles

EastEnders shock as Oscar attacks a major character – and more trouble follows

Oscar Branning has got himself in quite a situation (Picture: BBC) EastEnders newbie Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) lands himself in hot water next week when he attacks one of…

6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Alfie Moon finally returns and Oscar Branning goes on the attack

As Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) makes a decision about her pregnancy, Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) steps in. Meanwhile, Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) continues to worry about son…

Danny Dyer reveals what he would change about EastEnders stint

Former EastEnders star Danny Dyer is reuniting with an ex co-star on a new show, and said he would’ve wanted “more scenes” with her on the soap. Dyer, who…

EastEnders legend makes a shock return just days after quitting Walford – and he’s not alone

AN EASTENDERS legend made a shock return to the soap today – just days after quitting Walford. Nigel Bates – who is played by actor Paul Bradley in the BBC soap…

DANNY DYER REUNITES WITH EASTENDERS ICON IN DRAMATIC NEW ROLE

Danny Dyer’s return to TV with Mr Bigstuff brings thrills, stunts, and a reunion with a former EastEnders co-star! As he takes on the role of Lee in a chaotic brotherly…

HEARTBREAKING UPDATE!!! EastEnders’ Stacey receives bombshell Martin news in early iPlayer release

EastEnders spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (16 July), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV. EastEnders’ Stacey…

You cannot copy content of this page