EastEnders fans were over the moon to see Michelle Ryan return as Zoe Slater, but the actress almost landed the role of a lifetime.
One infamous EastEnders star almost landed the role as a Bond Girl (Image: No credit)
Several EastEnders stars have gone on to be incredibly successful after leaving Albert Square in style. But one famous face lost out on their golden chance to break into Hollywood.
Back in 2006, the James Bond film Casino Royale hit theatres as Daniel Craig stepped into the role as the famous spy, and critics applauded the film for its gritty realness. As is custom in Bond films, the man with a license to kill was teamed up with a beautiful Bond girl, who was ultimately played by French actress Eva Green. But things could have dramatically turned out different after one EastEnders star confessed that she “completely blew” her audition for the award-winning film.
Actor Michelle Ryan – who recently returned to her role as Zoe Slater on EastEnders – made it down to the final few rounds of auditions for the role of Vesper Lynd.
The character of Vesper Lynd is regarded as one of the most progressive in Bond history, as she famously steals the heart of the traditionally cold and stoic killer, before ruthlessly betraying him.
Back in 2008, she told the Metro: “I did [audition]. Daniel Craig wasn’t there, though. I was quite nervous and completely blew it. Whereas with Bionic Woman, I was relaxed and nailed it. It’s always when you’re not bothered – the same as when it comes to guys – that you do best. If you try too hard it doesn’t work.”
Michelle went on to play the leading role in the US show Bionic Woman but was unfortunately cancelled after just eight episodes. Since then, the actor has appeared in Merlin, Doctor Who, and Death in Paradise.
The role ultimately went to Eva Green (Image: Internet unknown)
It comes after the brunette beauty returned to Walford after vowing to cut ties with the BBC soap twenty years after leaving the show. Michelle famously played the role of teenage tearaway Zoe Slater back in 2000 at the age of just 16 – and now she’s reprising the feisty character.
Speaking to the BBC back in 2008, the Merlin star as asked if she would ever consider returning to the show in the future. Michelle bluntly replied: “Never. It’s definitely not something I’d ever go back to. I know I’m sitting here now because of the start EastEnders gave me and it was an incredible training ground. But I do feel as well it was sort of like my apprenticeship, and you don’t revisit that.”
She added to the Daily Record: “I always wanted to go on and do different things. I have some really good friends from that show, but the door is closed. I’ve always taken chances. I think that’s how you progress – by stepping out and doing different things.
“I really do like my freedom and jumping from job to job. I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be – big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role.”
But it appears as though her blistering comments didn’t bother BBC bosses who “repeatedly reached out” to michelle to return to the role, according to The Sun.