EastEnders has announced a change to its usual broadcast schedule for the episode featuring Zoe Slater's long-awaited return to Walford. The episode, due to air on Wednesday 3rd September, will be held back from its usual early release on BBC iPlayer and instead will be simulcast on both iPlayer and BBC One at 7:30pm.
The BBC has dubbed Zoe's comeback "explosive", with the storyline expected to send shockwaves through the Square. Executive producer Ben Wadey said: "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."
In recent episodes, Kat Slater discovered that Zoe had secretly met with Stacey and Alfie, while Tommy ran away and reunited with his sister. The pair are now set to return to Walford together, setting the stage for a dramatic family confrontation.
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…"
Kat star Jessie Wallace spoke of her emotional reunion with Michelle Ryan, who reprises the role of Zoe. "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," she said.
