Rob Kazinsky is returning to EastEnders as Sean Slater later this year, two decades after his first appearance on the BBC One soap. The actor will reprise his iconic role for a brand new storyline, with the character returning to Albert Square for family reasons that are set to become clear in the near future.
Sean Slater, brother to Stacey (Lacey Turner) and son to Jean (Gillian Wright), has a checkered history in Walford. Although Sean has made brief appearances in 2019, 2021, and 2022, it has been 17 years since he permanently lived in the Square, having left in 2009.
Kazinsky on His Return
On returning to EastEnders, Rob said: "I left EastEnders in 2008 as a 23-year-old boy and was lucky to spend the next 19 years of my life working around the world, always championing EastEnders and stating the fact that one day I wanted to walk in Sean's shoes again, but this time as a man to see who Sean the man might also be."
He added: "I wanted to do it for Sean, I wanted to do it for the fans that have supported me in every role since I left the Square but, mostly, I wanted to do it for me. I’m home and I can’t wait to bring a new level of heartfelt chaos to Albert Square in the way only Sean Slater can."
Executive Producer's Welcome
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, added: "I'm delighted to welcome Rob Kazinsky back to EastEnders as he reprises the role of Sean Slater later this year. Sean Slater was a big part of the Slater family and as viewers will already know, where Sean goes, drama is not far behind."
Sean's history in the Square includes a disastrous marriage to Roxy Mitchell, which ended on Christmas Day 2008 when it was revealed that Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) was the biological father of their baby Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd). His actions have led to the destruction of more than one familial relationship in Walford.
What's Next for Sean?
Sean returns later this year, and if his previous stints are anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time before he finds himself embroiled in drama. Fans will have to wait and see if Sean returns alone or if his sister Stacey, who departed Walford for Brazil last year to live and work with her brother, will follow in his footsteps.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am.
