BBC EastEnders bosses have confirmed they will be axing the iconic character Zoe Slater, played by Michelle Ryan, with the actress set to leave Albert Square later this year. The 42-year-old returned to the popular soap last summer, reprising her role for the first time in 20 years, but her departure has now been confirmed.
Dramatic Storyline Since Return
Since her return, Zoe has been at the centre of major drama, spending months searching for her twin son and daughter – Josh and Jasmine – whom she had secretly given birth to. She also spent weeks wrongfully imprisoned after being accused of the murder of her ex-boyfriend Anthony Trueman.
A spokesperson for EastEnders said: "We can confirm Zoe Slater will be departing EastEnders later this year. We wish Michelle Ryan all the best for the future."
Exit Details Under Wraps
A source added: "Michelle’s exit marks the end of a storyline that has been in the works for some time. With such an iconic character, Zoe’s exit is never going to be without drama, but bosses are keeping tight-lipped about how she leaves the Square, but as always with the Slaters, it’s not going to be quiet."
Reports have suggested that Zoe will be killed off, but details about her departure are yet to be announced.
Zoe Slater's Iconic History
Zoe made her first appearance on EastEnders in September 2000, along with the rest of the Slater family. Her character has been involved in some of the show's most iconic storylines, including one which saw her tell her mother Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace, "you ain’t my mother" before discovering the truth about her parentage.
Zoe had countless failed love interests, including one with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman), which saw her embroiled in the murder of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) with accomplices Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) following her affair with Den and subsequent pregnancy. She left Albert Square in 2005, after reconciling with Kat and admitting the truth about Den’s murder.
Zoe returned in June 2025, having reconnected with her cousin Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) after fabricating a story that she was on the run from loan sharks.
