EastEnders has announced a schedule change for the highly anticipated return of Zoe Slater next week. The episode, originally set to air early on BBC iPlayer, will now be held back and simulcast on both iPlayer and BBC One at 7:30pm on Wednesday 3rd September.
The BBC has dubbed Zoe's return as "explosive," promising to send shockwaves through Walford. Executive producer Ben Wadey stated: "As Zoe makes her dramatic return to Walford next week, more than one secret in her past will come to light as we look to explore the reasons behind her return, and what has happened in the past twenty years to make her the person she is today."
The most recent episode saw Kat discover that Zoe had met with Stacey and Alfie, while Tommy ran away and reunited with his sister. The duo are set to return to Walford together next week.
Wadey previously teased that Zoe would "bring the drama," adding: "Zoe's one of those people that seems to land herself in difficulty – I think it's because she faced an identity crisis at such a young age she has a confused sense of self, and has developed a tendency to self-sabotage. Like mother like daughter! And just wait until Sharon sees that Zoe is back…"
Actress Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat, described her reunion with Michelle Ryan (Zoe) as emotional: "I burst out crying. We met for a secret dinner date with Ben Wadey and the Slaters. When I saw Michelle, I cried – we were all very emotional. It was nostalgic and lovely."
