Actor Rob Kazinsky is set to return to the BBC soap opera EastEnders, reprising his role as Sean Slater after nearly two decades. While the move has been framed by show producers as an exciting career development for the 42-year-old, sources suggest it is a consequence of his Hollywood career not meeting expectations.
Kazinsky, who first joined EastEnders in 2006, reportedly saw his ambition for a significant Hollywood career falter. "Rob's Hollywood dream failed. That's the harsh but bottom line. He's worked but not at the level he expected," an insider told the Daily Mail. Although he secured roles in prominent US productions such as "True Blood," "Pacific Rim," and a "Star Trek" spin-off titled "Section 31," these were not consistently leading roles, and some films, like "Red Tails," did not achieve box office success.
Kazinsky has made brief returns to EastEnders for cameos in 2019, 2021, and 2022, but his decision to make a full-time return is now being interpreted as an indication that he has given up on his aspirations in the American film and television industry. "He didn't become a household name and bigger work just didn't emerge. He's got an impressive CV but they weren't starring roles," the source added.
The move back to Albert Square, the EastEnders set, is seen by some as a pragmatic choice for stable employment, despite reports that the show is currently facing difficulties. "It's not surprising a steady pay cheque has tempted him back even though EastEnders is in terrible shape at the moment. It all seems a bit desperate," a show business insider commented.
This return also carries potential risks for Kazinsky, drawing parallels to the recent unsuccessful comeback of actress Michelle Ryan, who played Zoe Slater. Ryan's character was written out of the show again less than a year after her return. "The worry is that like with Zoe, it will just go wrong and so this is a big risk for Rob," a source noted.
Several of Kazinsky's former EastEnders co-stars have achieved considerable success after leaving the show. Himesh Patel, who played Tamwar Masood, went on to star in the lead role of "Yesterday" and appeared in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey." Ben Hardy, formerly Peter Beale, secured roles in "X-Men" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Despite the career challenges, Kazinsky is reportedly well-liked by his former colleagues. "Rob is great fun and he is an extremely kind person. People always say they love working with him on shoots. His personality is infectious," a source said.
Kazinsky's past on EastEnders is not without controversy. In 2007, he was suspended for two months and issued a public apology following a sexting scandal where he sent inappropriate messages and unsolicited images to a model. Reflecting on the incident in 2017 amid the #MeToo movement, Kazinsky expressed shame and stated he had been working on himself for over a decade.
Insiders suggest that while the younger cast members may perceive double standards regarding actor misconduct, show bosses are firm that any inappropriate behavior from Kazinsky will not be tolerated this time. Whether his return to EastEnders will provide the career boost he seeks remains to be seen.