EastEnders fans had barely blinked before Zoe Slater vanished again. But this time, it’s different. Michelle Ryan isn’t just dropping by. She’s back now and looks set to stay. Keep scrolling to know more.
EastEnders Confirms Zoe Slater’s Full Return After Brief June Cameo
Zoe came and went before Kat could catch her. Fans watched in shock as she arrived in June, only to flee again. Michelle took on the role of Zoe in 2000 and quickly made a mark on the show. By 2005, she had left Walford behind after getting caught in the fallout of Den Watts’ shocking death. Zoe’s final move back then? Running off to Spain, trying to start fresh. She left on decent terms with Kat, but time hasn’t fixed their bond.
When Zoe returned in June, she looked scared and on edge. She confessed something dark was chasing her, then took off for Barcelona. Kat never even knew she was there. Alfie did and lied about it. He claimed he was heading to Australia for cancer treatment. But really, he went to find Zoe. Now he’s back in Walford, but still keeping secrets.
Michelle Ryan Says “The Timing Felt Right”
Speaking to a source, Michelle finally revealed why she came back now.“Before, it never felt right,” she said. “I just didn’t feel the pull to come back.”
But this time, something shifted. “I surprised myself with how open I was to it,” she said. After years of stage roles and films, she’s craving something steadier. “There comes a time when you think it would be great to have a routine.”
Her reveal comes just as the BBC soap teased more secrets. Last week, Kat came close to learning Zoe was back. But Alfie shut her down fast. He told Stacey that Zoe was still missing. Kat, suspicious, lashed out, calling Alfie the biggest liar in Walford. She thought he had gone to help Hayley and Cherry. But the truth is much messier.
Will Kat finally discover what Alfie’s hiding? And when Zoe comes back for good, what happens next? For more EastEnders spoilers and updates, follow Soap Opera Daily.