The Slater family exploded onto Albert Square in the year 2000, instantly becoming one of EastEnders' most iconic and turbulent clans. Arriving to fill the void left by the departing Di Marcos, Charlie Slater and his daughters Kat, Lynne, Little Mo, and granddaughter Zoe made an immediate and lasting impact. Their on-screen drama was mirrored by fascinating lives off-screen for the actors who portrayed them. Following the recent sad announcement of the death of Derek Martin, who played beloved family patriarch Charlie, we look at where the stars of this legendary family are today.
From Albert Square to Arrests and New Adventures
The actors who brought the Slaters to life found their careers and personal lives taking dramatic turns after leaving Walford. Jessie Wallace, who shot to fame as the fiery Kat Slater, remains a cornerstone of the soap, having joined in 2000. Her success led to a spin-off series, Redwater. However, her time off-screen has seen controversy; in 2022, she was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and drunk and disorderly conduct. She was released without charge after receiving a conditional caution, with the BBC stating she had expressed "deep regret".
Michelle Ryan, who played Zoe Slater, traded the Square for Hollywood, landing the lead role in the NBC remake of Bionic Woman. The series was halted by the Writers Guild of America strike and never returned. Ryan later took on UK drama roles and performed on stage before making a dramatic return to EastEnders in 2025 after nearly two decades away.
Life After Walford: Reality TV, Tragedy and Steady Careers
Other Slater family actors pursued diverse paths. Ricky Groves, who played Lynne's boyfriend Garry Hobbs for nine years, became a reality TV regular on shows like Strictly Come Dancing. He now runs a successful social media venture, 'Must Have Ideas UK', where he passionately sells various products directly to followers.
Elaine Lordan (Lynne Hobbs) left the soap early and had a brief stint on I'm a Celebrity.... She stepped back from public life in 2008 after enduring profound personal tragedy, including the death of her one-year-old son in 2005.
Kacey Ainsworth, forever remembered as the gentle Little Mo, left in 2006 and has built a formidable career in TV drama, with significant roles in Casualty and ITV's hit series Grantchester.
A Fond Farewell to the Family Patriarch
The recent passing of Derek Martin at the age of 92 has cast a shadow over the EastEnders community. As cheerful cabbie Charlie Slater, he was the heart of the family from their 2000 debut until 2011, with later returns in 2013 and 2016. His family described him as a devoted father and friend who "loved meeting people". The BBC paid tribute, calling him "the head of one of EastEnders' most iconic families". His death marks the end of an era for the show and its fans, prompting a reflection on the immense legacy of the entire Slater clan, both on and off the screen.
