EastEnders star Gillian Wright has revealed that Zoe Slater’s return to Walford will lead to huge consequences for the entire family.

With Alfie and Stacey having been searching for Zoe since her surprise comeback in June, in this week’s episodes, Kat, Jean and Tommy all discovered the truth.

Next week, Zoe will set foot in Albert Square for the first time in two decades and Kat will finally reunite with her estranged daughter in emotional scenes.

Details of Zoe’s return are being kept tightly under wraps for now, but things won’t be smooth sailing for the Slaters in the coming weeks. Gillian, who plays Jean, has revealed the family will be impacted in a number of big ways.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy at a photoshoot for the Inside Soap Awards 2025, Gillian teased: “How will Zoe’s return shake the Slater family up? In a big way. In lots of different ways, it’s not just one aspect of Zoe’s story that shakes us up.

“There’s lots of different aspects to it, and there’s a rollerball of effects and consequences. It’s big and it’s exciting, and it’s just great to have her back!”

Zoe’s return comes at the perfect time, as next month will mark 25 years of the Slater family’s first appearance in EastEnders.

The Slaters are also nominated for Best Family at this year’s awards, and Gillian has an idea of what makes her on-screen clan so iconic.

She said: “It’s because we’re a group of very strong women with very strong characters, who can clash quite comfortably. People can argue and rub each other up the wrong way without it having serious consequences – and we’re not afraid to say what we think!”

It’s been a difficult few months for Jean, who has not only had to deal with her sudden split from partner Harvey, but has helped Stacey through her grief since Martin’s death in February.

“She’s had a bit of a tough year,” Gillian recalled. “She’s mourning the loss of Martin – and us as actors really miss James Bye [who played Martin]. He was a great person to have amongst us as a cast.

“But as Jean, she’s really destroyed and confused, I think, by the breakup with Harvey, because I think she totally trusted him and that’s floored her.”

Elsewhere, with the Slater-Moons now back in The Vic, Jean’s recently tried her hand at pulling pints again – and let’s just say, she’s not exactly a natural.

“Oh no, Jean could not be a barmaid!” Gillian laughed, when asked about her character’s career prospects. “That’s what I love about her really, the fact that she’d prefer to clean toilets than serve in the bar – and that’s saying something!”

Asked about why fans should get behind EastEnders in the Best Soap category this year, Gillian replied: “I think we’ve got some really good stories. I think we’ve got some new actors coming in who are really good, and I think the stakes are upped a bit. I’m proud to be in EastEnders!”