Skip to content

From Martin Fowler to Mr Darcy - EastEnders actor's new role

David Allard
Michael Wharley Three male actors and one female actor in historic Regency outfits Michael Wharley
James Bye (second left) plays Mr Darcy in Death Comes to Pemberley

He's best known for playing EastEnders' market stall holder Martin Fowler, who was dramatically killed off in the TV soap's live 40th anniversary episode in February.

Now the Basingstoke-born actor James Bye has a new role as one of literature's biggest heartthrobs.

He's donned a tailcoat and breeches to play Mr Darcy in the crime thriller Death Comes to Pemberley, at the Mill at Sonning theatre in Berkshire.

Based on the novel by P.D. James, the play is a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and runs until 28th June before going on tour.

A man in a khaki hoodie and light brown jacket with a fur collar
James Bye played Martin Fowler in EastEnders from 2014-2025

"It's been a joy for me to spend so long playing Martin, this iconic character, and then to jump out of that and play another iconic character," said James.

"It's been a lot of hard work, but the play is amazing and I feel very honoured to be involved."

James attended the Hurst School in Baughurst and Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke before forging a career in acting.

He took over the role of Martin Fowler in EastEnders in 2014 and was involved in many dramatic storylines.

A young man in a dark hooded jacket with folded arms looks at a worried looking young woman with long dark hair. They are standing in front of a market stall which has boxes of fruit and vegetables.
James Bye as Martin Fowler and Lacey Turner as Stacey Fowler in EastEnders

James bowed out of EastEnders when his character died after being crushed by a girder in the Queen Vic pub, which had collapsed in an explosion.

"To leave the show on a live episode - to be honest I never thought they would trust me with something quite that huge," said James.

"It's not much different from being on stage - except the audience was in the millions rather than the hundreds!"

It meant a lot for James to share his final scenes with Lacey Turner, who played Martin's true love Stacey.

"It was a perfect end to my journey on the show and I was very privileged to be part of it."

A woman in an old-fashioned dress smiling and a stern-looking man in a patterned waistcoat
Jamie-Rose Duke as Lizzy Darcy and James Bye as Fitzwilliam Darcy

In Death Comes to Pemberley, Mr Darcy and his wife Lizzy become a Regency crime busting duo as they try to solve a murder the night before a grand ball.

"We see them dragged through this horrific moment and how as a couple they work together - or perhaps not in certain cases - to try and keep their family together," said James.

Following its run at the Mill at Sonning, Death Comes To Pemberley goes on tour to Windsor, Cardiff, Bath, Guildford, Bromley, Wycombe, Brighton and Richmond.

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Related Links