EastEnders star Jessie Wallace admits she ‘burst out crying’ after reuniting with her on screen daughter Michelle Ryan over two decades after THAT iconic scene

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Jessie Wallace, a well-known actor from EastEnders, shared that she broke down in tears upon meeting her on-screen daughter, Michelle Ryan, during her comeback to the series.

Throughout her stint on the soap opera, Michelle, now 41 years old, found herself in one of the show’s most dramatic plotlines. It was unveiled that Kat Slater (played by Jessie) was actually Zoe’s mother rather than her sister, leading to intense scenes where she exclaimed: ‘You’re not my mother!’, to which Kat retorted with conviction: ‘Yes, I am!’

Now, upon her return to Albert Square following a twenty-year absence, Jessie shared that the news had left her feeling overwhelmed with strong emotions.

In her interview with Radio Times, she admitted that they met up for a clandestine dinner with the show’s executive producers as a reunion.

Upon seeing Michelle, my eyes welled up with tears as a wave of emotion swept over me. The moment was filled with nostalgia and warmth.

In the world of soaps, it’s not unusual for characters to be replaced. However, Jessie firmly believed that if Zoe were to reappear, she should be played by Michelle.

In a conversation with Ben, the executive producer, I expressed that it should be Michelle who takes on the role, as having Zoe recast doesn’t seem fitting. I believe my performance wouldn’t reach its full potential in this case, and the viewers might feel deceived.

In my own words, I’ve always held a special affection for Michelle, considering our shared bond from playing her mother. Now, as a mom myself, that protective instinct has only grown stronger, mirroring how I care for my own child.

Michelle had been asked to return to the soap before but had always declined. 

This time, she sensed it was the perfect moment, having been inspired by the reactions on social media after EastEnders celebrated its 40th anniversary.

After reflecting on her days working on the soap opera with her coworkers, she shared with her agent that she was considering a return. Notably, EastEnders had just contacted them.

Back in June Zoe made a bombshell return to the BBC soap, after her return was kept under wraps.

In the following episodes that week, viewers caught glimpses of Zoe twice more. However, come summer, she’ll be a permanent fixture again, as her mom, Kat, plans to marry Alfie Moon for the third time.

Reflecting on my recent comeback to the BBC soap, it’s as if I’ve returned to a cherished sanctuary. Stepping back onto set and performing my initial scenes, it felt like I’d simply taken a brief hiatus rather than being gone for what seemed like an eternity. Timing, they say, is everything, and this return couldn’t have been more perfectly orchestrated.

I had been contemplating coming back to the series since I reconnected with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell), and we shared cherished memories of our time on the show. Additionally, I’ve become active on social media and noticed that there is still a strong appreciation for my character.

By sheer coincidence, as they were introducing a new Executive on EastEnders who shared my fervor for Zoe and the Slater family, I found myself in a position where we synced perfectly. I can hardly contain my enthusiasm about returning to the show!

‘When I was pitched the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.’

In simpler terms, the new head of EastEnders, Ben Wadey, stated that he had always wanted Zoe Slater to come back to the show because, even though it’s been two decades since she last appeared on screen, her character remains relevant due to memorable storylines.

It has come to light that Zoe, who left Walford twenty years ago, is no longer on good terms with Kat.

Michelle hinted at the rationale behind Zoe’s return to Albert Square by saying: “I can’t reveal too many details because there are plenty of exciting twists ahead, but it’s safe to say that Zoe is in quite a state.

She isn’t the same woman who departed from Walford two decades ago; instead, she has faced considerable hardships while living alone.

This week, you’ll notice that her protective barriers are in place, yet there’s a strong indication that she could use assistance. However, whether she’s open to receiving help is something else entirely.

After it was disclosed by Daily Mail in February, it’s been made clear that despite numerous efforts by superiors throughout the years, Michelle chose not to rejoin EastEnders.

A source disclosed: ‘Supervisors contacted Michelle on numerous occasions throughout the years, expressing their desire for her return. For instance, during the run-up to the soap opera’s 30th anniversary, they made a subtle request asking if she would be willing to rejoin the cast.’

At the initial phases of their planning, Michelle rejected the idea, causing quite a bit of dismay among the management team.

It’s puzzling that she doesn’t seem interested in returning to play a role that fans continue to cherish after all these years. It’s now 20 years since she departed from Albert Square, yet conversations about her character persist.

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2025-08-06 02:35