EastEnders fans are convinced that Sean Slater is the biological father of Amy Branning, following his permanent return to Walford. The theory, shared on social media, suggests that the DNA test from 2008, which named Jack Branning as the father, was wrong.
Sean Slater's Return to Walford
Sean, played by Robert Kazinsky, has moved back to Albert Square 20 years after his first appearance. He originally arrived in Walford as a bad boy in 2006 before leaving in 2009, with subsequent stints in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
On Monday's (November 2) episode of the BBC One soap, Sean reunited with his family, including his young niece Lily (Lillia Turner). He also launched an effort to find missing Amy Branning (Ellie Dadd), who has run away with groomer Craig Ingram (Matthew James-Bailey).
The Search for Amy
Joining forces with former love rival Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), the pair scoured the streets as they feared for Amy, who was planning to use a £100k inheritance to start a new life with the dodgy copper, far away from Walford. In The Vic, Sean was comforted by his mum, Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), who said he should spare himself the pain of getting involved in Amy's disappearance.
Sean, who explained he was back for Zoe Slater's funeral but his flight was delayed, emotionally reflected on how happy he was when Amy was born and said he was desperate to keep the promise he made to Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) that he would always look after her daughter.
Fans' DNA Theory
As long-standing fans of the soap will know, Sean had a romance with Roxy, and after many hiccups, they married and looked forward to a happy future together. Roxy later delivered a baby girl, whom she named Amy in memory of her sister Ronnie's baby, leaving the couple delighted. But their marriage ended in disaster when it was revealed on Christmas Day in 2008 that Jack was the biological father of their baby following a fling with Roxy.
It led to Sean's dramatic exit and the end of his relationship. When Sean returned to the show following Roxy's tragic death, he admitted he never got over her and wanted to see Amy. Over the years, Sean has also felt a strong paternal connection to Amy, and EastEnders viewers are certain he is her biological father, with Roxy later explaining that she lied about the DNA results.
Taking to X, one person wrote: "After today's #EastEnders episode, I'd kinda live for the DNA test from 2008 being wrong, and Amy being Sean's daughter. Amy has never quite felt right being a Branning imo, and this could open up some new material for Ellie Dadd once this storyline with Craig is over."
A second added: "She’s never felt like Jack’s daughter, but then neither has Penny. He isn't a great dad tbh. Also, why do they almost never lean into her Mitchell side?! Phil would find her within a day tops!!"
A third chimed in: "I was thinking this as she looks more like him and makes Jean her grandmother and Stacey her aunt and Lily her cousin, so that might make for some interesting storytelling," while another added: "I'd love her to be a fully fledged Slater."
"AMY IS SEAN'S DAUGHTER! I'VE BEEN SAYING IT FOR AGES! IT'S ABOUT TO BE THE BIGGEST EASTENDERS PLOT TWIST #EastEnders", explained another.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer.
