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Susan Lorna Tully (born 20 October 1967) is a British television actress, producer and director from London. She trained at the Anna Scher Theatre and first became known as a child performer on programmes including Our Show and The Saturday Banana. As a teenager she played Suzanne Ross in the BBC children’s serial Grange Hill (1981–1984). Her best known acting role is as one of the original characters in the BBC soap EastEnders, appearing as Michelle Fowler from the first episode on 19 February 1985 until her departure on 26 October 1995. From the late 1990s Tully moved behind the camera (often credited as Sue Tully) and has directed and produced numerous British television dramas and serials, becoming a regular director on high-profile series.

... Born and raised on a London council estate, Susan Tully began acting as a child and attended the Anna Scher children’s theatre, which led quickly to television work. After early presenting and children’s roles she joined the cast of Grange Hill (1981–1984) and at 17 was cast as Michelle Fowler for the launch of EastEnders in 1985, remaining a central character through 1995. Following her exit from regular acting she retrained and established a second career directing and producing for television, credited commonly as Sue Tully. Her directing credits span long-running and prestige British dramas, including episodes of The Bill, Getting On, Silent Witness, Line of Duty and the Cormoran Strike adaptations. She has also supported charitable causes such as the Meningitis Trust and participated in Comic Relief fundraising. Then & Now The 1980s Trained at the Anna Scher Theatre, Tully began as a child performer on programmes such as Our Show and The Saturday Banana and as a teenager played Suzanne Ross in Grange Hill (1981–1984). At 17 she was cast as Michelle Fowler, one of the original characters in the BBC soap EastEnders, debuting with the series in 1985. Throughout the late 1980s her portrayal helped establish the show's central, working‑class focus and made her a household name across Britain. Now (2026) Since the late 1990s Tully retrained behind the camera and, commonly credited as Sue Tully, has directed and produced numerous high‑profile British television dramas. Her directing credits include episodes of The Bill, Getting On, Silent Witness, Line of Duty and the Cormoran Strike adaptations, and she became a regular director on prestige series. As of 2026 she remains active in television production and directing, remembered both for originating Michelle Fowler and for a successful second career shaping contemporary British drama. Career timeline 1967 Born on 20 October in London. mid-1970s Appeared as a child presenter on the television programme Our Show. 1979 Worked on the children’s programme The Saturday Banana with Bill Oddie. 1981–1984 Played Suzanne Ross in the BBC children’s serial Grange Hill. 1985 Debuted as Michelle Fowler in the first episode of EastEnders (first broadcast 19 February 1985). 1985–1995 Portrayed Michelle Fowler as a central character on EastEnders until 26 October 1995. late 1990s Transitioned from acting to working behind the camera; began directing (credited as Sue Tully). 1999–2004 Directed and produced multiple episodes of the police drama The Bill. 2008–2011 Directed episodes of the long-running crime drama Silent Witness. 2019–2020 Directed episodes of high-profile contemporary series including Line of Duty and the Cormoran Strike adaptations such as Lethal White. 2023 Directed the television drama Maryland, starring Suranne Jones. Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Susan Tully – Wikipedia Public biography and credit reference.Independent Talent – Susan Tully director CV Public biography and credit reference.IMDb – Susan Tully credits Biographical and credit details were checked against Susan Tully – Wikipedia, Independent Talent – Susan Tully director CV, IMDb – Susan Tully credits.