Michelle Ryan Returns to EastEnders as Zoe Slater with Dark Secret

Michelle Ryan made a surprise return to EastEnders as Zoe Slater after a 20-year absence, with her comeback shrouded in secrecy including the use of a cover name to keep her presence under wraps. Zoe's character is portrayed as troubled, struggling with heavy drinking, financial woes, and a mysterious dark secret she warns will cause others to hate her. Fans speculate that Zoe's secret may involve abandoning her son or a complicated past involving false identities and gang debts, adding intrigue to the storyline. Her return has been warmly welcomed by fellow cast members, especially Jessie Wallace who plays Kat Slater, Zoe's biological mother, reinforcing Zoe's central role in upcoming plotlines. Zoe's storyline includes her staying with Stacey Slater, evading Kat, and being pursued by unknown threats, which she eventually admits are fabricated to hide a deeper truth. The character is set for a full-time return this summer, promising significant developments under new executive producer Ben Wadey.