EastEnders viewers were left stunned on Monday night as Zoe Slater made a dramatic return to Albert Square after two decades away. Michelle Ryan reprised her role as Kat Slater's daughter, appearing dishevelled after stealing her mother's credit card for a spending spree.
The character, last seen in 2005, was involved in some of the soap's most memorable storylines, including the revelation that Kat was her biological mother after being raped as a teenager. Her return comes after weeks of speculation, with fans taking to social media to express their shock and excitement.
In Monday's episode, Stacey Slater called for help from Alfie Moon, who had just married Kat. The episode ended with Alfie greeting Zoe with a despondent 'Hello Zoe.' One fan tweeted: 'ZOE BLOODY SLATER #EastEnders,' while another wrote: 'An actual Zoe Slater return i can’t believe my eyes.'
Actress Michelle Ryan said of her comeback: 'It all happened at the right time. I’d already been thinking about a return... I saw that there was still a lot of love for the character.' Producers have teased that Zoe will return with 'deep-rooted resentment' towards her mother and will be 'in for one hell of a ride.'
Ryan added: 'Zoe is a mess. She’s not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago... she needs help, but whether she is willing to accept it is another story.' The return promises to shake up the Slater family dynamics.
