The trial of troubled teenager Joel Marshall has begun on EastEnders following his brutal assault on Vicki Fowler.

The BBC soap saw Joel, portrayed by Max Murray, arrive in Albert Square last year with his father Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and Ross’s partner Vicki (Alice Haig).

 

 

It wasn’t long before the youngster’s deeply misogynistic attitudes surfaced, revealing his disturbing belief that abusing women, both physically and emotionally, was acceptable behaviour.

When Vicki confronted Joel about his troubling conduct and views towards women, he pushed her to the floor and subjected her to a vicious assault while filming the distressing incident on his phone.

Police subsequently arrested Joel and remanded him to a young offenders institution pending trial, which finally commenced on Wednesday (January 28), reports OK!.

Ahead of the court proceedings, the teenager displayed no signs of regret over the attack on Vicki, leaving viewers questioning whether Joel will be convicted.

Max Murray has received widespread acclaim from EastEnders viewers for his portrayal of the troubled character Joel, prompting interest in the actor’s actual age.

Whilst Joel is portrayed as a 15-year-old secondary school pupil, Max is actually 18 and will turn 19 in August 2026.

Last year, Max’s mother, Gina Murray, an actress whose credits include The Bill, Doctors, Judge John Deed, and Witless, marked her son’s special birthday with a collection of touching photographs.

Gina took to social media to celebrate, writing: “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 continued: “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.”

However, amid the birthday celebrations, some EastEnders viewers found themselves confused about Max’s actual age. Social media lit up with remarks such as: “He’s 16, his mother is also an actress.”

Another viewer questioned: “Joel is 14/15/16, his real age is 15-18?”, whilst someone else pondered: “Max Murray must be around 16?”

One fan jokingly scolded a photograph of Max in character as Joel, commenting: “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!”

The trial of troubled teenager Joel Marshall has begun on EastEnders following his brutal assault on Vicki Fowler.

The BBC soap saw Joel, portrayed by Max Murray, arrive in Albert Square last year with his father Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and Ross’s partner Vicki (Alice Haig).

It wasn’t long before the youngster’s deeply misogynistic attitudes surfaced, revealing his disturbing belief that abusing women, both physically and emotionally, was acceptable behaviour.

When Vicki confronted Joel about his troubling conduct and views towards women, he pushed her to the floor and subjected her to a vicious assault while filming the distressing incident on his phone.

Police subsequently arrested Joel and remanded him to a young offenders institution pending trial, which finally commenced on Wednesday (January 28), reports OK!.

Ahead of the court proceedings, the teenager displayed no signs of regret over the attack on Vicki, leaving viewers questioning whether Joel will be convicted.

Max Murray has received widespread acclaim from EastEnders viewers for his portrayal of the troubled character Joel, prompting interest in the actor’s actual age.

Whilst Joel is portrayed as a 15-year-old secondary school pupil, Max is actually 18 and will turn 19 in August 2026.

Last year, Max’s mother, Gina Murray, an actress whose credits include The Bill, Doctors, Judge John Deed, and Witless, marked her son’s special birthday with a collection of touching photographs.

Gina took to social media to celebrate, writing: “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 continued: “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.”

However, amid the birthday celebrations, some EastEnders viewers found themselves confused about Max’s actual age. Social media lit up with remarks such as: “He’s 16, his mother is also an actress.”

Another viewer questioned: “Joel is 14/15/16, his real age is 15-18?”, whilst someone else pondered: “Max Murray must be around 16?”

One fan jokingly scolded a photograph of Max in character as Joel, commenting: “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!”