EastEnders star teases real reason Mark is going after Lauren as 'guilt intensifies'

EastEnders star Stephen Aaron-Sipple has revealed the real reason his character Mark Fowler is drawn to Lauren Branning, as he says the 'guilt' is growing between them

06:23, 28 Jul 2026Updated 06:24, 28 Jul 2026

[A suspicious Peter makes a discovery on Laurens phone, while Mark admits his feelings for Lauren]

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Stephen Aaron-Sipple and Jacqueline Jossa as Mark and Lauren(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders ' Mark Fowler and Lauren Branning seem set for an affair, despite the crimes he has committed and her devotion to her husband Peter. As their relationship grows, actor Stephen Aaron-Sipple has shared that he thinks there's something drawing Mark to Lauren - the fact that she's taken the place of a family member in his life.

The actor shared that since his character's aunt, Sam Mitchell, left, Lauren has filled that gap and been there fore him. As such, she's one of the few people he can open up to. Their storyline is set to continue over the next week, as Lauren grapples with both her feelings and the revelation that Mark was the one who torched her cars. Ahead of the story, Stephen shared his thoughts about what's going on between Mark and Lauren...

[Meeting with Mark, Lauren tells him to prove how much she means to him]

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Mark and Lauren on EastEnders(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Despite their attempts to resist one another, they always seem to falter. What is it about Lauren that Mark finds so magnetic?

Beyond the physical attraction, Mark sees Lauren as his equal. She challenges him, stands up to him, and isnt intimidated by him. Hes always been surrounded by strong females, so theres something about Laurens strength and honesty that really draws him in.

Whats going through Marks mind when he taunts Lauren by flirting with Jacks colleague?

Hes trying to get Laurens attention, just in completely the wrong way! Seeing her with Peter has hurt him, so he makes a bad decision and tries to make her jealous

[Max is furious over Mark and Lauren's schemes]

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Max and Mark butt heads as Mark gets close to Lauren(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Mark finally admits his feelings for Lauren, but their moment is interrupted by Peter. How is he feeling in that moment?

Very vulnerable. Mark likes to be in control, but in that moment hes completely exposed. Not only has he admitted how he feels, but hes also left without an answer from Lauren, which is something hes really not used to.

Viewers have grown used to this bad boy version of Mark, but we see a softer side this week. What was that like to play?

Its been great fun. Nobody is tough all the time, so its been nice exploring a different side of Mark beyond his hard-man persona. We all have people we can let our guard down with, and for Mark, Lauren has become that person. She doesnt judge him for who he is, and that allows him to be more playful, open and vulnerable around her. Mark obviously has Vicki, and he had a similar relationship with Sam when she was on the Square, but since Sam left, Lauren has become that person for him.

[Lauren tries to deflect Peters questions, before admitting she and Mark have been dealing stolen cars]

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Peter has questions for Lauren about Mark(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Do you think Mark and Lauren could make a good couple?

They already make a great team. Theres a lot of mutual respect between them, and neither of them judges the other. They could make a great couple and, in another world, maybe they already would be. The problem is there are quite a few obstacles standing in their way right now!

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Lauren initially agreed to deal with illegal cars after being manipulated by Mark. Has that guilt been eating away at him?

Absolutely. He felt guilty about it when he was doing it with Sam, and as he and Lauren have grown closer, that guilt has only intensified.

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