Fowler family

The Beales and the Fowlers in 1985 (top) Michelle, Mark and Ian; (bottom) Arthur, Pauline, Lou, Kathy and Pete
Created by	Tony Holland and Julia Smith
Introduced by	Julia Smith
Duration	1985–
First appearance	Episode 1 19 February 1985

The Beales, together with the Fowlers, are a fictional family in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. They were the main family for storylines in early EastEnders and remained as such for many years. Having appeared continuously from episode one, they are the show's longest serving family. In 2004 Peter Beale and Lucy Beale were recast to give them a more mature look. In 2007, there were few members of the Beale family left and no Fowlers, so the family were revamped. Peter was recast again.Ian Beale started a relationship with Jane Beale 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. 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. 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. It was revealed on 19 February 2015 that she was killed by her own little brother, Bobby. 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. In December 2016 Michelle Fowler returned to Albert Square after originally leaving in 1995, although now played by Jenna Russell. Members of the Beale family by blood currently in EastEnders include Ian, Michelle, Martin, Bex and Louie. Additionally, several others may be considered Beales through marriage; Jane, Kathy, Sonia and Stacey Fowler are among these. Also, Whitney Dean was adopted by Bianca Butcher, who is a member of the Beale family. Steven Beale is Ian's stepson and Stacey's children, Lily Fowler and Arthur Fowler have both taken Martin's surname and have him as their stepfather.