Michelle Ryan is having her say on her exit from EastEnders.
Last year, after 20 years away, Ryan made a surprise return as Zoe Slater, the role she originated from 2000 to 2005 as part of the Slater clan.
Zoe’s most memorable storyline in her original stint saw the revelation that sister Kat (Jessie Wallace) was her biological mother as a result of incestuous sexual abuse by her uncle Harry.
Afterwards, Zoe led a rather disastrous love life, most notably with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman), who ultimately left her for his adopted sister Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
After fleeing Walford, Zoe eventually grew apart from Kat, and they became estranged.
In 2025, she was persuaded to return to Walford after previously turning to Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) for help and was ultimately reunited with Kat in an epic rain-soaked cliffhanger.
Despite difficulties, the pair repaired their relationship, and Zoe revealed that in her time away she had given birth to twins but believed one died.
Over time, she came to be reunited with both of them and their biological father, former flame Dr Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey), who their daughter, Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), killed in self-defence after he attacked Zoe and Jasmine at Christmas.
After each serving a brief spell in prison for Anthony’s murder, both Zoe and Jasmine went free and were reunited with Jasmine’s twin Josh (Joshua Vaughan), providing some peace and happiness for Zoe.
However, it’s now due to come to a heartbreaking close.
Speaking exclusively to Radio Times, Michelle discussed what has led to Zoe’s upcoming exit from the show and how a limited time in Walford was always on the cards for the iconic character.
On her final storyline – which airs this week and sees Zoe steal back her adopted father and biological grandfather Charlie Slater’s cab, Michelle said: “Well, Zoe is coming full circle really, because when she first arrived on the square, she crashed her dad Charlie’s taxi, and we have her stealing a taxi.”
She noted that Zoe had been “reckless as a teenager”, but she “never lost that kind of spirit”.
Of course, this mission for Zoe leads to her experiencing a blow to the head that ultimately results in her death.
Next week, in hard-hitting scenes, Kat Moon will discover Zoe dead in her bed, bringing a wave of grief to Kat, her husband Alfie (Shane Richie), and the wider Slater-Moon family.
Despite much speculation, Ryan confirmed to us that Zoe’s exit was very much a mutual decision and that she backs the show’s choice to end Zoe’s time in Walford forever.
Ryan revealed: “My agent and I sort of discussed from the outset that it would be a year, and I think that when we came to look at where Zoe was going, it just seemed like a natural conclusion for her to die, because for her to run away again would have gone against everything she’d fought for; for her children. So as sad as it was to hear that Zoe was going to be killed off, I was like, ‘I completely understand that.’
“And I’d always felt that I would be going back for a year because I really do like the variety I have with my career and playing different parts. But it was such a gift to be able to go back and have a year of playing her and getting to see all my old friends like [Laila Morse] and Jessie and Shane.
“And they’ve got such a solid, brilliant cast, and they are the loveliest group of people, so there’s so much camaraderie there, and I just feel so lucky that I got to go back when I did.”
Praising her storylines in her return stint, Michelle added: “I know sometimes you can work on something and be very passionate, and then it goes out, and some people respond to it, some people don’t, but I feel that Zoe really got to explore some great storylines, and just working with that company of actors was one of the best experiences I’ve had.”
When asked about the storyline potential for the Slater clan to reveal itself following Zoe’s death, Ryan added that she was pleased the character was posthumously providing ample dramatic material.
“There’s sort of like a new wave,” Ryan said of the new Slaters, including Zoe’s children. “So Zoe coming back and riding that wave, and then even though Zoe is no longer going to be around, there’s so much potential for everyone else’s storylines.
“And [former show boss] John Yorke once said about dovetailing, and it’s just this great thing with soap that if you can do that and you keep people interested, even if it’s a controversial storyline or opinion… that it’s better that they have an opinion and they’re interested than no opinion at all.”
Speaking about Zoe’s final scenes and shooting the exit, Michelle revealed that actress Laila Morse, who plays Zoe’s great-grandmother Mo Harris, had to leave the set due to how emotional she found it, while Jessie Wallace was also moved by Zoe’s end.
Michelle recalled: “[Laila Morse] on my last day… was getting emotional, so she left before there was a big goodbye or anything.”
She continued: “But I think that’s what makes it so interesting, that it’s such a big machine that no character is bigger than the show, and I’ve always been aware of that.
“So I hope the fans do find some solace in the fact that the Slaters will continue, as far as I’m aware, have some really good storylines because Zoe came back. I’m really excited myself to see the leaving episodes because I really enjoyed working on them.”
Of course, soaps mean sticking to one character for a long time, and now Michelle has plans for exploring some new roles having wrapped filming with the BBC soap in May.
Speaking about what’s next for her, Michelle revealed: “What I can tell you is, my friend and I are working on a short film, so I’ve co-written it, and I’m co-producing it, so that will hopefully go in October.
“And then there’s something else that might involve some singing, but these are all works in progress. So fingers crossed. But it’s that thing of just, yeah, it’s the complete unknown, and I have to remind myself this is what you signed up for, you know – you like not having a routine.”
In a final message to viewers, Michelle said: “I just thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the fans who have supported me and supported Zoe from the beginning and through this return and the exit.
“I know some people are upset that Zoe is going to be killed off, but I feel like it’s the right time, and I think it’s better that there’s a conclusion rather than it being open-ended.
“It just feels like it’s the right time… and it will always have a special place in my heart because it gave me my first big break.”
Despite suggestions of issues behind the scenes between Ryan and bosses, the actress was quick to praise current executive producer Ben Wadey, who was the architect behind bringing Zoe back to our screens after so long away, but who some fans have been criticising for the decision to kill off Zoe.
“And I’ve loved working with Ben,” said Michelle, “and hopefully, we might find something else that we can work together on down the line, because he’s such a good boss.”
She added with candour: “I’m not somebody who’s just going to talk bulls**t, and, actually, Ben has been so supportive the entire time, and I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.
“So I think that it will be nice if people can embrace the storyline. And even if people don’t like it, then don’t worry because there are [whole different storylines].”
Ryan elaborated on fan backlash to Zoe’s death, saying: “They’re very passionate, so I understand when sometimes they don’t, like, respond to certain storylines, or they feel a bit cheated if a character’s leaving too soon, but that’s probably down to me, in the sense of I always anticipated a year [on the show].”
She underlined that she will “always be eternally grateful for their love and support” as the fans are what helped bring about her return stint to the show with their support on social media.
Zoe’s final storyline airs this week and next when Kat is devastated to discover Zoe dead in her bed on Monday 14 September 2026.
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