EastEnders has officially confirmed that Michelle Ryan has reprised her iconic role as Zoe Slater and will return to Albert Square later this year.

After a number of social media teases over the weekend, in tonight’s episode (16 June), Zoe made an epic and highly anticipated return after 20 years away from the show – in Ben Wadey’s first episode as executive producer.

The drama is expected to continue on-screen this week, and then Zoe will return to the show properly later this summer.

After joining the show back in 2000 as part of the infamous Slater clan, Zoe was involved in one of the most memorable moments in soap history, when, in 2001, it was revealed that she wasn’t Kat’s younger sister but her daughter.

Zoe remained in Walford for five years, before leaving for a new life in Spain in 2005 after revealing to Kat the part she played in Den Watts’ murder.

While Zoe departed Albert Square on good terms with her mum, over the last two decades her relationship with Kat has broken down again, and the pair have been estranged for a long time.

With new siblings to meet, fractured family relationships to navigate and a huge rift with Kat to overcome, Zoe will have a lot to contend with later this year. But, as the show teases, “the road back to Walford will not be an easy one…”

In a statement about Michelle’s huge return as Zoe, executive producer Wadey said: “Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish list of returnees, as although we haven’t seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.

“I was absolutely delighted when Michelle agreed to return, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back to Walford. Whilst I can’t say too much at this stage, Zoe’s return is just one of the many exciting storylines we have planned.”

A storm is brewing in Walford, and it’s not just the usual drama—it’s the return no one saw coming. After years away and whispers of a past that never fully settled, Zoe Slater is back. And her comeback isn’t just a quiet stroll into the Square—it’s an emotional whirlwind that reopens old wounds, stirs up secrets, and sets off a chain reaction across Albert Square.

It all begins with a voicemail. Stacey leaves a message, her tone a mix of worry and frustration. She hasn’t heard from her mum in days. “It would be nice to hear your voice at some point,” she says softly, not knowing that this silence signals the start of something seismic. Little does she realize—Zoe is already on her way back, carrying emotional baggage, unresolved history, and a fire that only a Slater woman can bring.

Zoe’s reappearance is anything but glamorous. She’s disheveled, defiant, and far from the picture-perfect reunion many might have hoped for. The years away haven’t been kind, and it shows—not just in her appearance, but in the way she snaps at those around her. She’s got attitude, bite, and clearly hasn’t lost that trademark Slater spark. But beneath the bravado is a woman barely holding it together.

Jean, ever the peacemaker, is caught in the middle. She’s trying to keep the fragile peace in place while managing her own emotions. Her frustration bubbles as she picks up the pieces Zoe has left behind—figuratively and literally. “You can’t survive on vapes and biscuits. You’ll get scurvy,” she snaps in a typical Jean way—fierce love wrapped in sarcasm. She didn’t leave her kids with Lynn just to babysit Zoe’s chaos.

The Square starts to buzz as word spreads. Alfie gets called in—maybe he’ll be able to get through to Zoe. But even he finds himself shut down. Zoe’s walls are high, her sarcasm sharper than ever, and no one—not even Alfie—can get her to open up. She’s not here for chitchat or apologies. She’s got a plan… and a few people to confront.

Meanwhile, Stacey is on the warpath. She wants answers—where Zoe’s been, what she’s planning, and why now? She storms into the scene with her usual force, but even Stacey is stunned when she finally lays eyes on her. Zoe, raw and real, is more vulnerable than she remembers, and Stacey’s fury flickers into concern. The Slater dynamic is as complicated as ever—equal parts love and resentment.

Backstage, secrets unfold. A conversation with Jean reveals lingering guilt over old wounds—especially the tension that once tore the Slater family apart. Jean, emotional but resolute, demands respect this time. And surprisingly, Zoe gives it. She apologizes—not with grand speeches but with quiet sincerity. She’s back not just to stir up trouble, but maybe, just maybe, to make peace.

But peace doesn’t come easy in Walford.

The drama peaks when a taxi shows up at Pritchard Place, sparking more questions than answers. A cab driver is looking for someone matching Zoe’s description—“dark hair, scruffy, looks like she needs a wash.” It’s an awkward, almost comic moment, but behind it is something deeper: Zoe is in crisis, disappearing, reappearing, and clearly struggling to stay grounded.

When Alfie tries to help, Zoe shoots him down again. She’s not ready to be saved—especially not by someone who knew her before everything went sideways. Alfie, ever the optimist, tries to laugh it off, but even he can see Zoe is spiraling. And then there’s the shocker—Zoe may be married. “Mrs. Monroe has a nice ring to it,” someone teases. But is it a joke, a deflection, or a truth she’s hiding?

The family finally tracks Zoe down to a locked door. Emotions are running high. “Come on, we’re going to open this door up,” they say. And just as tensions peak, laughter bubbles through as Zoe fumbles with the key. For a split second, it’s like old times—chaotic, messy, but full of heart.

But the moment passes quickly. A phone rings. Panic sets in. “Where is she?” “She’s unhinged,” someone mutters, and everyone jumps into crisis mode. It’s clear Zoe’s return isn’t just a family reunion—it’s a cry for help.

In a gut-punch of a final twist, the name “Zoe” hangs heavy in the air. A character offscreen whispers it. A memory? A warning? Or a glimpse into what’s coming next?

What’s clear is that Zoe Slater is back in Walford, and her return is far more than a nostalgic walk down memory lane. She’s bringing the heat, the heartbreak, and the chaos only a Slater can.

Old flames, buried secrets, family feuds, and fragile truces—all about to explode.

Brace yourselves.