EastEnders fans were left shocked when legendary actress Nenah Massoud, who portrayed the iconic Zainab Masood, explained her reasons for leaving the soap in 2013. Known for her role as the matriarch of the Masood family, Zainab’s character became a staple on the Square, embroiled in some of the most gripping and dramatic storylines in EastEnders history. However, Nenah’s exit from the show was prompted by what she described as “ridiculous” storylines that no longer resonated with her as an actress.

In an emotional interview with Vanessa Feltz on the Jeremy Vine Show, Nenah opened up about her decision to leave the show, revealing that the turning point came when the storylines became increasingly challenging to connect with. She candidly explained, “When the storylines get so ridiculous and so difficult, you kind of think, ‘I’m out.'” According to Nenah, one of the main reasons for her departure was the repeated plotlines involving her on-screen husband, Masood, having yet another affair. She said, “My husband Masood was going to have yet another affair. How can I react any differently to the way I reacted before when he told me he was having an affair?”

The Evolution of Zainab’s Character

When Zainab first appeared in Albert Square in 2007, her character was designed with a comedic edge, similar to that of EastEnders‘ legendary matriarch Pauline Fowler. Nenah’s ability to bring humor to the role made Zainab a fan favorite in the early years, but as the show evolved, so did her character’s storylines. Zainab’s shift from light-hearted comedy to intense drama—particularly the emotionally harrowing domestic violence storyline—was something Nenah struggled with. She recalled, “They gave me a domestic violence storyline, and I thought, ‘How can I be funny with that? I don’t understand.’”

Nenah attributed the change in her character’s direction to shifts in the show’s executive team, explaining how new executives often bring fresh visions, sometimes disregarding what has worked for established characters. This led to the character of Zainab being pushed into more dramatic, often less relatable situations. Nenah said, “I think what happens is that when you have a change at the top with the execs, they bring in their vision. Someone who hasn’t really been paying attention to what your character’s been doing, and all of a sudden, you’re asked to do something absolutely ridiculous.”

Zainab’s Potential Return to EastEnders

Despite her departure from the show, it seems that Zainab’s story isn’t entirely over. During the interview, Vanessa Feltz pointed out that Zainab was still alive on-screen, leaving the door open for a potential return. Nenah confirmed this, saying, “I did ask to be killed off because I thought, ‘Yay, I’ll get a big storyline if I get killed off.’ But they were like, ‘No, we want her back someday.’ So, who knows?”

The character of Zainab was last mentioned in 2020 when her daughter Jade Massoud revealed that she and her mother Shabnam were planning to move to Pakistan to care for Zainab, who had fallen ill. With the continued interest in the Masood family, could a return for Zainab, Shabnam, and Jade be on the horizon? Nenah teased that while there had been no official plans for her return, she wouldn’t rule it out entirely. “Hopefully, at some point, if they invite me back, it will be for something a bit more interesting to do,” she said, leaving fans hopeful for Zainab’s future on the Square.

The Future of the Masood Family in Walford

With the ongoing drama surrounding the Masood family, including recent storylines involving Masood and his children, it’s clear that the door is open for a potential return. Whether Zainab’s character will make a comeback remains uncertain, but given the high level of affection fans have for her, her return would surely be welcomed with open arms.

For now, viewers can revisit Zainab’s most iconic moments on EastEnders or look forward to any new surprises in the future. As always, in the world of EastEnders, anything is possible, and if Zainab does return, it would undoubtedly bring more unforgettable drama to the Square.

Stay tuned to EastEnders on BBC One to see what happens next with the Masood family—and perhaps, one day, with the return of Zainab herself.