Image: BBC Press
By Jon Donnis
Zoe Slater is heading back to Albert Square. Following a brief but dramatic return in the 16 June episode, EastEnders has confirmed that Michelle Ryan will reprise the role later this year, marking a long-awaited homecoming for one of the show's most memorable characters.
Even after two decades off screen, Zoe's legacy in the soap has never really faded. Her name is still tied to some of the most iconic moments in EastEnders history. The "You ain't my mother!" scene remains one of the most quoted lines the show's ever produced, and her complex, often painful relationship with Kat Slater is still talked about to this day.
Back in 2001, viewers were hit with the revelation that Zoe, thought to be Kat's younger sister, was actually her daughter. That twist reshaped the entire Slater family dynamic and laid the groundwork for years of emotional fallout. What followed were stories filled with anger, guilt, and the kind of unresolved tension that's impossible to forget.
During her original stint on the show, Zoe's love life was as messy as her family history. The most explosive chapter came with Dennis Rickman. That relationship spiralled into chaos, dragging her into the deadly drama surrounding Den Watts' murder. Caught between Chrissie Watts and Sam Mitchell, Zoe's involvement left a permanent mark on the Square's storyline timeline.
Her departure in 2005 came after confessing her part in Den's murder and trying to mend things with Kat. But whatever peace they found didn't last. In the years since, the rift between them reopened, and they've remained estranged ever since. Now, with Zoe returning to a Walford that has changed around her, she's stepping back into a world where old wounds run deep and new connections could prove just as complicated.
EastEnders' Executive Producer Ben Wadey made it clear that Zoe's comeback has been a long time coming. He said that before he even started in the role, she was already on his wish list. Her absence hasn't dulled her presence. She's remained a fan favourite thanks to storylines that stuck in people's memories, and now the show is ready to pick up where it left off. Wadey called Michelle Ryan's return a thrill and hinted that her storyline is just one part of a much bigger, exciting plan for the months ahead.
Zoe's return isn't just a nostalgic nod. It sets the stage for new drama rooted in old betrayals and unresolved family tensions. She'll be facing relatives she barely knows, a mother she can't forgive, and a neighbourhood that still remembers everything. Whatever happens next, it's clear Zoe Slater isn't coming back quietly.
And here's what Michelle Ryan has to say...
Tonight, we saw you return to Walford in spectacular fashion. How did the return come about?
“It all happened at the right time. I’d already been thinking about a return because 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. When Ben pitched me the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.”
How does it feel to be back after 20 years?
“It feels like coming home. After doing my first few scenes, it was like I’d never been away.”
Without revealing too much, can you tell us about the storyline and where we find Zoe this week?
“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.”
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