Michelle Ryan has been permanently axed from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, with her character Zoe Slater slated to be killed off. Ryan, 42, returned to the role of Zoe Slater last June after a 20-year absence, but has already filmed her final scenes, which will air later this year. A source told The Daily Mail that there is no possibility of a future comeback for the character.
Reports indicate that Ryan's return, initially met with excitement, has been perceived as a disappointment, with some fans expressing dissatisfaction with her on-screen presence. A source described the comeback as "somewhat flat and lacklustre," adding that there was "some disappointment backstage that the return was short-lived as everyone loved the Zoe Slater's historic moments."
An EastEnders spokeswoman confirmed Zoe Slater's departure later this year, stating, "We wish Michelle Ryan all the best for the future." The spokesperson declined to comment on specific storyline details to avoid spoiling the plot for viewers.
Ryan originally left EastEnders in 2005 to pursue a career in Hollywood, landing the lead role in the American remake of the science fiction series Bionic Woman. However, the show was significantly impacted by the three-month Writers Guild of America strike, which led to its cancellation after only eight episodes.
Following the Bionic Woman's premature end, Ryan returned to the UK and took on roles in productions such as the BBC fantasy series Merlin and a guest spot in Doctor Who. She later reportedly turned down an opportunity to audition for the acclaimed HBO series Boardwalk Empire, a decision she later described as a "big mistake" after the role went to Kelly Macdonald and the series garnered numerous awards.
Ryan's initial tenure on EastEnders from 1999 to 2005 was marked by a significant storyline that revealed her character, Zoe, was the daughter of Kat Slater, portrayed by Jessie Wallace, rather than her sister. This revelation led to the iconic on-screen exchange, "You ain't my mother!" followed by Kat's reply, "Yes I am!" This storyline was a pivotal moment in the show's history and contributed to Ryan's rise to stardom.
When her return to EastEnders was announced in June, Ryan expressed that it felt like she had "come home." She cited reconnecting with former cast members and seeing continued fan support on social media as factors in her decision to return. She also noted that a new executive producer, a fan of the Slater family, was keen to explore storylines for the character, leading to a convergence of opportunities.
"When Ben pitched me the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision," Ryan stated at the time of her return.