Zoe Slater’s explosive return to Walford is far from a warm reunion. After years of absence, Zoe, played by Michelle Ryan, is back—and she’s bringing a whirlwind of secrets and deception with her. The once confident and headstrong Slater has returned bruised, rattled, and carrying a dark secret that threatens to tear her family apart.

Stacy Slater, already living in seclusion with her young children in a temporary flat, is rocked by Zoe’s unexpected arrival. She’s shocked but does her best to help, calling in Zoe’s stepdad, Alfie Moon, in the hopes of getting through to her. But this reunion is far from heartwarming. Zoe, now a shell of her former self, is snappy, closed off, and clearly hiding something.

Zoe explains that she fled Spain due to dangerous lone sharks, but there’s one thing she’s adamant about: Cat Moon cannot know she’s back in Walford. Why is Zoe so desperate to keep Cat in the dark? What’s fueling her anger toward her sister? The tension grows as Alfie and Stacy try to reason with her, but Zoe continues to lash out, particularly when Cat’s name is mentioned. The deep-rooted family feud is far from over, and it seems like Zoe hasn’t forgotten the painful history between her, Cat, and Sam Mitchell—especially the role they all played in Den Watts’s death.

But just when it seems like things couldn’t get darker, Stacy notices something suspicious. Zoe’s phone keeps buzzing with threatening messages from lone sharks, but Stacy’s instincts tell her something is off. Upon calling one of the numbers, she discovers a second phone in the flat ringing. The scam is exposed—Zoe made the whole story up. The lone sharks? A lie. The fear? Manufactured. Zoe wasn’t in danger—she simply needed somewhere to hide, and more importantly, she needed money.

Alfie is left stunned, and Stacy is furious at the betrayal. But before the tension can break, there’s a knock on the door. And not just any knock—Cat’s voice calls through the letterbox. She knows Alfie’s there and demands answers. The moment of truth is fast approaching. Zoe will soon have to face the one person she’s desperately trying to avoid—her sister, Cat.

So what’s really driving Zoe’s rage? Why is she so desperate to avoid Cat, and what secret is she still keeping? BBC has confirmed that Michelle Ryan will be back for three episodes this week, with a full-time return later this summer. This is only the beginning, and something big is brewing in the Slater family.

What’s next for Zoe, and how will her return shake Walford to its core? With family tensions reaching new heights, the Slaters will never be the same again. Stay tuned for more drama, secrets, and lies as Zoe’s story unfolds.