Michelle Ryan stuns viewers as troubled Zoe Slater returns to Walford in dramatic cliffhanger

Michelle Ryan has stepped back into the spotlight as EastEnders’ Zoe Slater, reappearing on screen for the first time in nearly two decades. In a twist few saw coming, the former fan favourite returned in the final moments of Monday night’s episode, catching both characters and viewers off guard.

Ryan’s last appearance as Zoe aired in 2005. Since then, her character has lived only in EastEnders lore—most famously for the 2001 bombshell when she screamed “you ain’t my mother!” at Kat Slater, only to be hit with the unforgettable reply: “Yes I am.”

The surprise comeback pulled in 2.2 million viewers, according to Barb figures, despite facing stiff competition from ITV rivals Emmerdale and Coronation Street, both of which edged slightly ahead in the ratings. Notably, the episode was not pre-released on BBC iPlayer—an unusual move that preserved the shock factor.

Ryan’s return marked the debut episode for new executive producer Ben Wadey, who revealed that Zoe Slater had topped his wish list from the moment he stepped into the role. “I was absolutely delighted when Michelle agreed to return,” he said. “I’m thrilled to welcome her back to Walford.”

Zoe re-entered the Square with a bang, making a tense reunion with stepfather Alfie Moon and cousin Stacey Slater just as the episode drew to a close. No words were needed—just the look of recognition and dread as the screen faded to black.

“It feels like coming home,” Ryan shared in a statement, reflecting on her decision to reprise the role. “It all happened at the right time. I’d already been thinking about a return because I’d met up with Kacey Ainsworth and Kim Medcalf and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show.”

Her return wasn’t just a whim. It coincided with EastEnders’ internal shift under Wadey’s leadership, who, as a longtime fan of Zoe and the Slaters, sought to breathe new life into old storylines.

Ryan hinted at a darker path for Zoe this time around. “I can’t say too much as there is a lot of drama to come,” she said. “But Zoe is a mess. She’s not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago, and she’s been really struggling on her own.”

Since leaving the soap, Ryan has appeared in a range of television roles, including Doctor Who, Merlin, and Jekyll. She also starred in NBC’s reboot of The Bionic Woman, which was cancelled after eight episodes.

Zoe now joins a long list of dramatic EastEnders returns, including Dirty Den, Sharon Watts, Janine Butcher and Cindy Beale—all characters presumed gone for good until they were written back into the story in jaw-dropping ways. EastEnders’ talent for resurrection continues to hook viewers, and this latest surprise appears no different.

As suspense builds, fans are left wondering: What happened to Zoe during her twenty-year absence? What secrets does she carry? And how will the Slaters cope with the turmoil about to explode into their lives?

The comeback episode might not have topped the charts outright, but it has reignited the EastEnders faithful. With more drama promised, Walford seems set for another emotional rollercoaster—this time with Zoe Slater once again at its centre.