UNIPA News| London | 13 July-Michelle Ryan will leave EastEnders later this year, with the BBC confirming that her character, Zoe Slater, is set to depart the long-running soap. The exit comes approximately one year after Ryan returned to the series following a two-decade absence.

According to reports, Ryan has already completed filming her final scenes, and Zoe Slater’s departure will be permanent, with the character reportedly being killed off. The BBC has confirmed Ryan’s exit but has declined to comment on the storyline in order to avoid revealing plot details.

In a statement, an EastEnders spokesperson said: “We can confirm Zoe Slater will be departing EastEnders later this year. We wish Michelle Ryan all the best for the future. However, we never comment on future storylines as we don’t want to spoil it for the viewers.”

Sources familiar with the production said Zoe’s departure has been planned for some time, adding that the storyline is expected to deliver a dramatic conclusion consistent with the Slater family’s history on the programme.

Ryan originally left EastEnders in 2005 after portraying Zoe Slater for four years. During her initial run, she was at the center of one of the soap’s most memorable storylines, in which it was revealed that Kat Slater, previously believed to be Zoe’s sister, was in fact her mother.

Following her departure, Ryan pursued acting opportunities outside the soap, including starring in the television series Bionic Woman and appearing in productions such as Merlin, Doctor Who, and several independent films.

Her return to EastEnders in 2025 marked the first appearance of Zoe Slater in 20 years. At the time, Ryan said the opportunity felt like “coming home” and described the new storylines as the right reason to reprise the role.