EastEnders’ executive producer Ben Wadey has teased what viewers can expect from Zoe Slater’s explosive return next week – and it’s set to get very dramatic.

Michelle Ryan reprised her role as Zoe in a surprise week of episodes back in June, with the actor returning after two decades away from the BBC soap.

With Stacey and Alfie making sure to keep her return from Kat, Zoe got spooked and ran away. However, Tommy manages to bring her back to Walford next week, and Kat will finally come face to face with her estranged daughter again.

Kat is desperate to reconnect with Zoe, but things won’t be that straightforward, and Ben confirms that the coming weeks will explore just why the pair’s relationship broke down off screen.

“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. 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.”

Next month marks a major milestone for the Slater family, and Ben thought this was the perfect time to bring back one of the iconic clan’s most beloved characters.

He said: “It’s 25 years since we first met Zoe and the rest of the Slaters, and in our 40th year we want to celebrate our past but also look forward. Zoe’s return allows us to do both, exploring her character but in a story that propels us forward.

“Myself and the writers felt there was so much more to explore with her character in Walford, and we were desperate to see how Kat would react to having her adult daughter back in her life.”

Ahead of this game-changing week of episodes, Ben promises that there is lots more to discover about Zoe’s time away from Walford – and her reunion with Kat isn’t the only one to look out for.

“She’ll certainly bring the drama,” he teased. “Zoe’s one of those people that seems to land herself in difficulty – I think it’s because she faced an identity crisis at such a young age she has a confused sense of self, and has developed a tendency to self-sabotage. Like mother like daughter! And just wait until Sharon sees that Zoe is back…

“Zoe was always a compelling character, like most of the Slaters she is headstrong, impulsive and defiant. But she’s also covering real vulnerability, especially after discovering the truth about Kat and Uncle Harry. All of those traits are still there, she’s funny, chaotic and fiery… but she’s learned to be independent and mistrusting.”

He continued: “She struggles to let people in and has to ability to make enemies quickly. You’ll have to wait and see what effect the last 20 years have had on her, and what Zoe has been up to during her time away, but what I will say is that she has a lot of secrets waiting to be discovered…”