EastEnders star Michelle Ryan has revealed a major change for her character, Zoe Slater.
Speaking about her return to the soap, Ryan explained that Zoe will be in a “really dark place” when she reunites with her mother, Kat Slater.
“Zoe is not in the best of places. She is struggling in every area of her life, but she’s tough because she’s a Slater, so she is able to keep going. When many people would have given in, she’s still fighting,” Ryan said.
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Revealing what drew her back to Albert Square, the actor noted: “There is a rawness to the Slaters as they wear their heart on their sleeves, but there is also a depth to them. There is something that Tony Jordan created within them that I think is very real, and it’s what people connected with. They’re survivors.
“The Slaters have always been rule breakers, and it gives you something really hearty to work with,” Ryan continued.
“You can push them to do things which, at times, are slightly unlikable, but then you get to work out why and the reasoning behind it. There is a strength in Zoe that maybe I didn’t see so much as when she was younger. Alongside her strength, there is also a lot of damage, and that makes her really interesting to play.”
In episodes airing next week, it’s Kat’s son Tommy who, after an explosive row with his mum, tracks down his big sister and brings her back to Walford.
Speaking about Zoe’s appearance this month, EastEnders‘ executive producer Ben Wadey teased what’s to come.
“When we met Zoe back in June, we saw she wasn’t in a good place – and was clearly hiding secrets,” he said. “She was also insistent that she couldn’t face seeing her mum again. But why? And why has she shunned Kat for so many years?
“Since Zoe left, we know their relationship deteriorated until Zoe cut ties completely,” he continued. “I’ve always been fascinated as to why, especially as they left on good terms. We have twenty years of history to explore, and so much has happened to both of them since they were last on screen together.”
