Michelle Ryan has been permanently axed from the BBC soap EastEnders, with her character Zoe Slater set to be killed off. Ryan, 42, returned to the role of Zoe Slater in June of the previous year, marking a comeback after a two-decade hiatus. Her final scenes are scheduled to air later this year, and producers have confirmed there is no possibility of her character returning in the future.
A source indicated that Ryan's exit concludes a storyline that had been in development for some time. While details of Zoe's departure from Albert Square are being kept confidential, it is expected to be dramatic, consistent with the Slater family's history.
Despite initial fan excitement over Ryan's return, the comeback is reportedly described as "flat and lacklustre" by some, with "backlash about her comeback" leaving viewers disappointed with her on-screen presence. There has also been disappointment among some staff members that the return was short-lived, given the appreciation for Zoe Slater's past storylines.
An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed Zoe Slater's departure later this year and wished Ryan well. The spokesperson declined to comment on future storylines to avoid spoiling the plot for viewers.
Ryan originally left EastEnders in 2005 to pursue opportunities in Hollywood, securing the lead role in the remake of "The Bionic Woman." At the time of her initial departure, her character Zoe moved to Ibiza, leaving the door open for a potential return, unlike characters who are victims of murder plots. Ryan had previously expressed a lack of interest in returning, calling the role "boring" and viewing EastEnders as an "apprenticeship" that allowed her to explore other ventures.
However, "The Bionic Woman" was impacted by the three-month Writers Guild of America strike, resulting in production halting after only eight episodes and the subsequent cancellation of the remaining planned episodes due to low ratings. Ryan later returned to the UK, appearing as Nimueh in the first series of "Merlin" and guest-starring in a "Doctor Who" special.
She later had the chance to return to Hollywood for an audition for "Boardwalk Empire" but declined, reportedly due to not wanting to commit to a lengthy HBO contract. The role ultimately went to Kelly Macdonald. Ryan later acknowledged this as a "big mistake," as "Boardwalk Empire" went on to receive multiple awards.
In the years prior to her EastEnders return, Ryan starred in independent films such as "Cockneys vs Zombies" and the comedy "Girl Walks Into a Bar." Upon her return to EastEnders last year, she described it as feeling like she had "come home."
When asked about her reasons for returning, Ryan mentioned that it "all happened at the right time." She had been considering a return after reconnecting with former cast members and observing continued fan support on social media. The timing coincided with a new executive producer at EastEnders who was reportedly a fan of Zoe and the Slater family, leading to their paths aligning.
During her initial tenure on the soap, Ryan was part of a significant storyline where it was revealed that Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) was Zoe's mother, not her sister. This revelation, including the iconic line "You ain't my mother!", became one of the most memorable moments in EastEnders' history.
