Susan Tully: From EastEnders Star to TV Director

If you grew up watching EastEnders in the 80s and 90s, Susan Tully was a familiar face as the long-suffering Michelle Fowler. But by the late 1990s, she had quietly stepped away from acting to become one of Britain’s most in‑demand drama directors, helming shows like Silent Witness and Line of Duty.

Born: 20 October 1967 (age 56) ·
Nationality: British ·
Occupation: Actress, television producer, director ·
Notable TV role: Michelle Fowler in EastEnders ·
Directing credits: Silent Witness, Line of Duty ·
Years active: 1985–present

Eight key facts about Susan Tully, drawn from verified records:

What has happened to Susan Tully?

From actress to director

• Susan Tully transitioned from acting to directing full-time in the late 1990s (Wikipedia).
• Her last acting credit is the 1998 film Up ‘n’ Under (IMDb).
• She was drawn to directing while working on EastEnders and trained through the BBC director scheme (Independent Talent Group).

She is now fully focused on directing, with no indication of a return to acting (Radio Times).

Her recent projects

• Directed episodes of Silent Witness, Line of Duty, Tin Star, The A Word, Britannia, and Musketeers (Independent Talent Group).
• More recent ITV work includes Too Close and Maryland (Express).
• She directed the 90-minute Line of Duty series five finale, which drew over 9.7 million viewers (Radio Times).

Where is Susan Tully now?

• She is currently a working director represented by Independent Talent Group (Independent Talent Group).
• Companies House records show an address in East Finchley, London (Wikipedia).
• She has no active acting roles since 1998 (IMDb).

The implication: Tully’s move behind the camera allowed her to shape whole narratives, a level of control that acting rarely offers.

How much is Susan Tully worth?

Estimated net worth

• No verified public net worth figure exists (Wikipedia).
• Income derived from acting (1985–1998) and directing (2000–present) (Radio Times).
• Directing work on high-end BBC dramas suggests a comfortable career but not extravagant wealth (Independent Talent Group).
• Companies House records show current directorships but no salary disclosure (Wikipedia).

Sources of income

• Acting residuals from EastEnders and film roles (IMDb).
• Directing fees for numerous BBC and ITV productions (Independent Talent Group).

The pattern: privacy about finances doesn’t diminish a track record of consistent, high‑profile directing work.

Did Susan Tully direct Silent Witness?

Her directing credits

• Yes, Susan Tully directed episodes of Silent Witness (Independent Talent Group).
• She began directing in the mid-2000s on BBC drama Funland (Radio Times).
• Other directing credits include Britannia, Tin Star, The A Word, Strike: Lethal White, and Troubled Blood (Independent Talent Group).

Silent Witness episodes

• Specific episode numbers are not confirmed, but her work on the long-running forensic drama is part of her portfolio (Express).
• Her credibility as a director on such a high-stakes show underscores her industry reputation (Independent Talent Group).

The implication: Silent Witness became the gateway to a string of major BBC dramas, proving her technical range.

Are Letitia Dean and Susan Tully still friends?

Their EastEnders friendship

• They co-starred as Michelle Fowler and Sharon Watts on EastEnders from 1985 (Wikipedia).
• No recent public statements or evidence of continued friendship (Express).
• Both have moved on professionally – Tully to directing, Dean to other roles (IMDb).

Public appearances

• The question remains unanswered in the public domain (Radio Times).
• Neither actor has discussed their current relationship in interviews.

The catch: the more Tully guards her privacy, the harder it is for fans to confirm the warmth they remember from the soap.

Why did Susan Tully stop acting?

Decision to move behind the camera

• Susan Tully left acting in the late 1990s to pursue directing full-time (Wikipedia).
• Her last acting credit is the 1998 film Up ‘n’ Under (IMDb).
• She was drawn to directing while working on EastEnders and trained in the BBC director scheme (Independent Talent Group).

Transition to directing

• No indication of a return to acting; she is fully focused on directing (Radio Times).
• BBC training gave her the technical foundation to helm major series (Independent Talent Group).

The catch: by stepping away from the spotlight, she gained control over entire productions – a trade-off that few actors risk.

Timeline

• 20 October 1967 – Born in Highgate, London (Wikipedia)
• 1985–1995 – Played Michelle Fowler in EastEnders; returns in later episodes (IMDb)
• 1998 – Last acting role in film Up ‘n’ Under (IMDb)
• Early 2000s – Transition from acting to directing; BBC training (Independent Talent Group)
• 2005 (approx.) – Directs episodes of BBC drama Funland (Radio Times)
• 2010–2015 – Directs episodes of Silent Witness (Express)
• 2012–2016 – Directs episodes of Line of Duty (Independent Talent Group)
• Present – Active director represented by Independent Talent Group (Independent Talent Group)

The pattern: each phase of her career built on the last, with no wasted years.

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

The takeaway: the known facts are solid, but many personal and financial details remain private.

Quotes

Susan Tully began her career directing on BBC shows, Funland and Silent Witness, before going on to direct a wide variety of high-end dramas.

– Independent Talent Group biography (Independent Talent Group)

The last two episodes of Line of Duty series five were directed by Sue Tully, drawing over 9.7 million viewers.

– Radio Times (Radio Times)

Both quotes underline a consistent theme: Tully’s transition was not a whim but a well‑prepared move into the director’s chair.

Summary

Susan Tully’s career is a rare case of a successful actor walking away from fame to become a director with real clout. For British TV audiences, the payoff is clear: a steady stream of taut, well-crafted drama from someone who understands performance from both sides of the camera. Her privacy means we may never know her net worth or personal details, but her professional footprint is unmistakable. For fans of quality television, the choice is simple: watch what she directs, not who she used to play.

If you found Susan Tully’s story interesting, you might also enjoy the F. Murray Abraham biography and the World on Fire cast list.

Much like Susan Tully, another EastEnders actor turned director Karen Henthorn transitioned from acting to behind-the-scenes work in television.

Frequently asked questions