Michelle Ryan, best known for her portrayal of Zoe Slater in EastEnders, is speculated to be returning to the BBC soap after a 20-year absence.
The 41-year-old actress is rumoured to be reprising her role as Zoe, coinciding with her on-screen mother Kat Slater’s (played by Jessie Wallace) impending nuptials to long-time love interest Alfie Moon (played by Shane Richie) in upcoming episodes.
According to a source quoted in The Sun, “Bosses have repeatedly reached out to Michelle over the years, but the timing has never been quite right.”
The source added, “People are still talking about her character, so it’s a real coup to bring her back. She feels like now is the perfect moment – and there was an exciting script on the table.”
As Michelle prepares for her rumoured return to Albert Square, let’s take a glimpse into her life beyond the spotlight…
Early life
Born on 22 April 1984 in Enfield, London, Michelle attended Chace Community School in Forty Hill. From the age of 10, she was an active member of a local theatre group, reports Belfast Live.
At just 15, Michelle landed the role of Zoe Slater in EastEnders, marking the beginning of her extensive acting career.
Michelle first appeared on EastEnders in September 2000, with her character Zoe playing a pivotal role in the Slater family. One of Zoe’s most significant storylines involved discovering that Kat (played by Jessie Wallace) was her mother, not her sister.
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Zoe’s character was also entangled in the cover-up of Den Watts’ (played by Leslie Grantham) murder, ultimately leading to her exit from the show in June 2005. She was up for Best Actress at the 2005 British Soap Awards.
Over time, EE enthusiasts have expressed their desire to see Zoe make a comeback, particularly after Kat and her spouse, Alfie, made a permanent return to Walford.
What other roles has Michelle taken on?
After leaving the soap, Michelle has appeared in various TV programmes, theatre productions, and films.
She’s appeared in Mansfield Park, Merlin, Bionic Woman, Doctor Who, Death in Paradise, and Dark Stories, among other telly shows.
Michelle has graced the big screen in films such as Cashback, I Want Candy, Love’s Kitchen, The Last Photograph, and Cleanskin. She is set to appear in the forthcoming films Frankstein: Legacy and Finding My Voice.
Family life
Michelle tends to keep her personal life private, away from the spotlight. However, she is quite active on Instagram, where she regularly shares snaps from her days out and selfies.
In one of her latest posts, Michelle shared a career update. She informed her followers: “Just had a lovely catch up a friend who is a director Arabella, and then a meeting with Michael who used to work as a director for theatre. Two people are so passionate about the work. Creative day and conversations! And a play on the reading list.”
Michelle’s current relationship status is unknown.
