Susan Tully is a name that resonates with British television audiences of a certain era. For a decade, she was Michelle Fowler, the rebellious teenager at the heart of EastEnders. But Tully’s story did not end when she left Albert Square. She quietly built a second, highly respected career behind the camera, directing major BBC dramas. This article looks at her life, her work, and where she is now.
Born Susan Lorna Tully on 20 October 1967 in Highgate, London, she trained at the Anna Scher Theatre and first appeared on screen as a child presenter on Our Show. Her breakthrough came with the school drama Grange Hill, but it was her role in EastEnders that made her a household name. After leaving acting in the late 1990s, Tully transitioned to directing, often working under the name Sue Tully.
Today, she remains active in the industry, directing for Sky and other broadcasters. Her personal life, however, has remained largely private, sparking ongoing curiosity among fans. Below, we answer the most common questions about her biography, career, and current status.
Who is Susan Tully? Biography and Career Overview
Susan Lorna Tully
20 October 1967 (age 57 in 2025), Highgate, London, England
Actress, Television Producer, Television Director
Michelle Fowler in EastEnders (1985–1995), Directing BBC dramas
Key insights about Susan Tully
- Susan Tully is best known for playing Michelle Fowler on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 1985 to 1995.
- After leaving acting, she successfully transitioned into television directing and producing, working on major BBC dramas.
- She has largely remained out of the public eye since leaving EastEnders, leading to public curiosity about her personal life.
- As of 2025, Susan Tully is 57 years old and continues to work as a director in the UK television industry.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 October 1967 |
| Birthplace | Highgate, London, England |
| Age (2025) | 57 |
| Known For | Michelle Fowler in EastEnders (1985–1995) |
| Occupation | Actress, Television Producer, Television Director |
| Marital Status | Single – not publicly confirmed as married |
| Children | None (no biological children confirmed) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed (estimated $1–5 million) |
Early Career and Breakthrough
Tully’s first major role was as Suzanne Ross in Grange Hill (1981–1984), a rebellious teenager that gave her early exposure. She then joined the original cast of EastEnders in 1985 as Michelle Fowler, a character who became pregnant at 16 after an affair with Den Watts. The storyline made her a central figure in the soap for over a decade. She left the show in 1995 to pursue directing.
Transition to Directing
Tully’s final acting role was in the 1998 film Up ‘n’ Under. That same year, she directed her first episodes of EastEnders, marking the start of a new career. She soon moved on to direct The Bill (1999–2004), Lark Rise to Candleford (2009–2011), and more recently Strike: The Ink Black Heart (2024). Her directing work is often credited under the name Sue Tully (Wikipedia).
Why Did She Leave EastEnders?
Tully left the soap in 1995 because she wanted to move behind the camera. In interviews, she has stated that she was interested in directing and producing, and felt she had taken the character as far as she could. The decision was entirely her own, and she has not expressed any regret.
What is Susan Tully Doing Now? Her Life in 2025
As of the latest available information (2022), Susan Tully is still working as a director for Sky. She remains active in the television industry, directing high-end dramas. Her most recent known credit is Strike: The Ink Black Heart (2024).
Tully turned 57 in 2025. She has largely avoided the public spotlight, making few media appearances. Her estimated net worth, according to various sources, is around $3 million, though figures range from $1 million to $5 million (Legit.ng). Her income comes primarily from her directing work.
She is also known for her charitable work, supporting the Meningitis Trust and participating in Comic Relief events (Wikipedia). Despite her low profile, she remains a respected figure in British television.
What Has Susan Tully Directed?
Tully’s directing credits span over two decades. She has directed episodes of The Bill, Funland, Silent Witness, Lark Rise to Candleford, and Strike. She also directed the 2024 adaptation of The Ink Black Heart for BBC One. Her agent profile at Independent Talent lists her as a director of high-end drama (Independent Talent).
Is Susan Tully Married? Does She Have Children?
Some online sources have incorrectly claimed that Susan Tully was married to director Nick Love. This appears to be a factual error. Tully has never been married to him, and there is no reliable evidence of any marriage.
Regarding her personal life, Tully is single and not currently in a relationship. She has never been married and has no husband. She was previously in a relationship with actor Martin Ball, but they never married and have since parted ways (Legit.ng).
Tully does not have any biological children. While her EastEnders character Michelle Fowler had a daughter named Vicki, Tully herself is childless in real life. She remains close friends with her former co-star Letitia Dean, and was a bridesmaid at Dean’s wedding in 2002 (Apple TV).
How Does She Look at 57?
This is a subjective question. Public photos from recent years show Tully has aged naturally and maintains a low public profile. No official recent images are widely circulated, but she is rarely photographed at events.
Key Events in Susan Tully’s Life and Career
- 1967: Born in Highgate, London.
- 1981–1984: Played Suzanne Ross in Grange Hill.
- 1985–1995: Played Michelle Fowler in EastEnders.
- 1998: Starred in film Up ‘n’ Under; began directing EastEnders.
- 2000s: Directed episodes of The Bill, Funland, Silent Witness.
- 2009–2011: Directed Lark Rise to Candleford.
- 2024: Directed Strike: The Ink Black Heart.
- 2025: Continues to work as a director for Sky.
What is Known and What is Not Known About Susan Tully?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She was born on 20 October 1967 in Highgate, London. | Her exact marital status – though she is single and has no husband, some earlier speculation persists. |
| She played Michelle Fowler on EastEnders from 1985 to 1995. | Whether she has children – she has no biological children, but any other family details are private. |
| She is a television director and producer. | Her net worth is not publicly disclosed; estimates vary. |
| She has directed episodes of Silent Witness, Funland, and other BBC dramas. | Her current appearance is subjective and based on limited public photos. |
Why Did Susan Tully Leave EastEnders? Background and Context
Tully’s decision to leave the show at the height of its popularity was a surprise to many. She has explained that she wanted to explore behind-the-camera work and felt she had grown beyond the role. Her move into directing reflects a broader trend of actors transitioning into production. She has not returned to acting, focusing entirely on her directing career.
Her private nature contrasts with her public career, fueling ongoing curiosity. She has rarely given interviews after leaving EastEnders, and has not publicly discussed her personal life in detail.
What Do Official Sources Say About Susan Tully?
“Susan Lorna Tully (born 20 October 1967) is a British actress, television producer and television director from London.”
Wikipedia
“Sue Tully began her career directing on BBC shows, Funland and Silent Witness, before going on to direct on a wide variety of high end dramas.”
Independent Talent
“She is an actress and director, known for EastEnders (1985), Up ‘n’ Under (1998) and…”
IMDb
For more, see her IMDb profile.
What Is Susan Tully’s Legacy?
Susan Tully is a notable figure in British television, having successfully transitioned from a high-profile acting role to a respected behind-the-camera career. Her portrayal of Michelle Fowler remains iconic, and her directing work continues to influence British drama. Her career trajectory is similar to that of other soap stars like Denise Welch and Amanda Barrie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Susan Tully
How old is Susan Tully?
Susan Tully was born on 20 October 1967, making her 57 years old in 2025.
What is Susan Tully’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates range from $1 million to $5 million, with a common figure of $3 million, but this is speculative.
Why did Susan Tully leave EastEnders?
She left in 1995 to pursue a career in directing and producing. She wanted to move behind the camera.
What movies and TV shows has Susan Tully been in?
She is best known for EastEnders (1985–1995). She also appeared in Grange Hill and the film Up ‘n’ Under (1998).
Is Susan Tully married?
No, she is not married. She is single and has never been married.
Does Susan Tully have children?
No, she has no biological children.
What has Susan Tully directed?
She has directed episodes of The Bill, Funland, Silent Witness, Lark Rise to Candleford, and Strike: The Ink Black Heart.
How does Susan Tully look at 53?
Public photos show she has aged naturally. She maintains a low profile and few recent images are available.
Is Susan Tully still acting?
No, she has not acted since 1998. She works exclusively as a director.
Who is Susan Tully’s friend from EastEnders?
She is close friends with Letitia Dean, who played Sharon Watts on the show.
Related stories
Thomas Whitmore covers politics, public policy and government affairs for BritView.uk.