Sean Slater is back permanently in EastEnders, and according to Rob Kazinsky, it was the tease of a 'never been done before' storyline that got him to sign on the dotted line. Fans were absolutely buzzed when 'Enders announced that Sean would be returning as a full-time cast member for the first time since 2009 after a number of short-term stints.
What convinced Rob Kazinsky to return
'I was always trying to do what I could, and then four years ago I left America and I moved back here, and that's when the conversations really started,' Sean said of what got the ball rolling on his return. 'I sat down with Ben [Wadey] and with Kate [Oates] lots of times over those years, and we would develop some ideas, and we'd have some thoughts.'
But what convinced him to finally make a proper return to the Square? As it turns out: the promise of a big, juicy new plot.
'I had to sit down with Ben, and we really fleshed out what we were going to be doing for the foreseeable,' Rob told Radio Times. 'Ben had this idea of a storyline that he's always wanted to do that has never been seen before with Sean, and that was a really big hook for me, the storyline will tread new ground for him, and hopefully help a lot of people – it's something completely new and brilliant, and that's what got me back.'
Sean's mission to save Amy Mitchell
Sean's first goal upon returning to Walford is a simple one: save Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) from grotesque groomer Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey), who's snatched her away from her family to fulfil a promise to his tragically departed ex-wife, Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons).
'He will protect her and love her as only a father ever could, he swore to Roxy that he would do so and nothing stops him keeping promises to Roxy Mitchell,' said Rob. 'Sean never stopped thinking of Amy as his child, he held her in his arms as his daughter and finding out she wasn't his was the hardest thing that ever happened to him.'
'We quickly see how important family is to Sean and the lengths he will go to, to protect it.'
Of course, that means allying with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Amy's actual father, a reunion Rob finds fascinating.
'I actually think that this relationship is the most storied for Sean; enemies to grudging acceptance. The speed with which two men who have a fight can become friends is almost ridiculous and Sean and Jack have one thing that binds them together – they both love Amy. Will that mean they become friends or will Jack resent her first father coming back into her life?'
Rob Kazinsky on being back in Walford
But how does Rob himself feel about being back on the Square?
'I know it's cliché, but it feels like home,' he gushed. 'Perhaps because I played Sean when I was so young or perhaps because the happiest time of my life was when I was first in Walford, but treading these streets again, wearing Sean Slater, feels safe and calm and exciting all at the same time. I know Sean inside and out; of all my characters he's probably the one I am most protective of.'
'Perhaps because of his tragedy or his ability to conquer his demons if he loves someone enough, but I find him deeply human. I've never lost my connection with him and putting Sean's shoes and coat on again felt wholly right.'
Finally, we asked him to tease what's coming up for his alter-ego: '42-year-old Sean Slater is much more interesting than 21-year-old Sean Slater. Be prepared for something old and something new.'
