EastEnders star Max Murray has been at the centre of a number of hard-hitting storylines in recent months as his character Joel Marshall has displayed worrying behaviour towards women
EastEnders youngster Joel Marshall finds himself at the centre of a disturbing new plotline as he exhibits troubling conduct towards women, whilst the enigma surrounding his birth mother begins to emerge.
Joel, portrayed by Max Murray, first appeared on the BBC drama earlier this year. He arrived alongside his father Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and stepmother Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig), who had returned from Australia following Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) demise.
Despite his relatively brief time in Walford, the wayward teenager has sexually assaulted a woman on the London Underground, pressured Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) into viewing explicit content on his father’s laptop, and recorded himself in an intimate encounter with Avani (Aaliyah James), who has since discovered she’s expecting.
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Max Murray has received acclaim from EastEnders fans for his compelling performance as the troubled Joel, with the actor’s actual age sparking discussion amongst viewers.
Whilst Joel is depicted as being 15 years old, Max recently marked his 18th birthday milestone, reports Plymouth Live.
On Instagram, Max’s mother Gina Murray, herself an actress, celebrated her son’s special day with a collection of heartwarming photographs.
Gina, whose credits include The Bill, Doctors, Judge John Deed, and Witless, penned: “Max is 18! Happy birthday! Now both my boys are men! ….Enjoy this special day and may it lead to many, many more fabulous days ahead.”
She expressed her joy, saying: “I feel so very fortunate to have TWO gorgeous young men I can call my own. Remember that you always make me proud…. In good times AND in the more difficult ones…. I Love You, Max @maxmurray.official.”
Emma Barton, known for her role as Honey Mitchell, chimed in with: “Happy Birthday Max.. you superstar”, while Harriet Thorpe, who plays Elaine Peacock, added: “Happy 18th Birthday Max.”
Comedian Matt Lucas joined in the well-wishes, commenting: “Happy birthday Maxxy!”, and Joanne Clifton also shared her greetings with a simple: “Happy Birthday!”
Despite the celebration of his 18th birthday, some fans of EastEnders were under the impression that Max was much younger. On social media, one individual commented: “He’s 16, his mother is also an actress.”
Another queried: “Joel is 14/15/16 his real age is 15-18?”, while yet another speculated: “Max Murray must be around 16?”
One fan humorously remarked on a photo of Max as Joel, saying: “You aren’t old enough to be in a pub! Get out! @ginamurraywoman tell him! I’m not willing to age so neither can Max!”.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
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