Paul Marsden is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Matthew Booth.

On 15 February 2003, a reporter from Inside Soap announced Emmerdale's plans to introduce a new family, the Mardens.

[2] Booth told All About Soap's Joanne Tebbutt that the Marsden family are "quite a normal bunch, a little disjointed and crazy at times, but that's what keeps them interesting.

"[2] The family decide to move to Emmerdale village to aid his father's job as a truck driver.

[3] Ashcroft told Allison Maund from Inside Soap that "Paul is a very practical character who's also a bit of an artist.

"[3] After they had been on-screen for six months, Emmerdale producer Steve Frost decided to axe the majority of the Marsden family.

[4] Of his decision, Frost stated "The Marsdens have got a great story to play through the autumn, but unfortunately this culminates in them leaving the village.

"[4] On his plans for the remaining characters he added that "Paul and Siobhan Marsden will be staying on and the young couple have got some trying times ahead.

Sally Brockway from Soaplife believed that writers originally never fully developed Paul and Siobhan until the pregnancy storyline.