Michelle Ryan reprises Zoe Slater role in EastEnders

Michelle Ryan is back as Zoe Slater in EastEnders, making her on-screen return in tonight’s episode (16 June).

Viewers saw Alfie (Shane Richie) summoned by Stacey (Lacey Turner) to a messy flat where she warned him to brace himself because the person he was about to meet has changed since their last encounter.

A dishevelled Zoe then showed up at the flat after going AWOL earlier in the day.

The drama will continue throughout this week, and Zoe will be making her way back to Walford later this year.

EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey said:

“Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as although we haven’t seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.

“I was absolutely delighted when Michelle agreed to return, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back to Walford. Whilst I can’t say too much at this stage, Zoe’s return is just one of the many exciting storylines we have planned.”

Originally part of the show from 2000-2005, Zoe was involved in some of EastEnders‘ most memorable storylines, including the classic ‘You ain’t my mother’ storyline which is still quoted to this very day. Airing in 2001, the storyline saw Zoe find out in dramatic fashion that her big sister Kat (Jessie Wallace) was in fact her mum having been raped by their uncle Harry at a young age. The news kickstarted a 24-year cycle of resentment that the mother-daughter duo have been unable to shift.

Zoe had a series of failed romances during her time in Albert Square, but the most damaging was her relationship with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman), which led to her being involved in the murder of Den Watts alongside accomplices Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), after her affair with Den and subsequent pregnancy were exposed.

Zoe left Albert Square in 2005 after reconciling with Kat by confessing the truth about Den’s murder, but during her absence from Albert Square, Zoe and Kat’s relationship fell apart again, leaving them estranged ever since.

With twenty years of deep-rooted resentment towards her mum, fractured family relationships, and siblings she has never met, Zoe will be in for one hell of a ride when she returns, but the road back to Walford will not be an easy one…

Speaking on her return, Michelle Ryan said:

“It all happened at the right time. I’d met up with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and I’d also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character.

“It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and I’m so excited to be back. It feels like coming home. After doing my first few scenes, it was like I’d never been away.

“I can’t say too much as there is a lot of drama to come, but Zoe is a mess. She’s not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago, and she’s been really struggling on her own. She has her defences up, but this week you will see that she needs help, but whether she is willing to accept it is another story.”

EastEnders, BBC One, Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm. Also available on the iPlayer.