EastEnders set for second iconic return as jaws drop over Zoe Slater comeback

Daily Mirror

4 hours ago

EastEnders is tipped to be welcoming back another iconic character with others also teased on the BBC soap, and two cast members have told The Mirror what they know
There's another big EastEnders return on the cards, and two cast members have had their say.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, two stars of the BBC soap addressed the reports Max Branning was heading back to Walford. It comes after Zoe Slater's own bombshell comeback on Monday night that left fans' jaws dropping.
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Michelle Ryan reprised her role on the BBC soap after 20 years, with Zoe having left Walford for good in 2005. Monday kicked off the comeback, as Alfie Moon was called by a desperate Stacey Slater, Zoe's cousin.
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Having stolen Stacey's credit card, Zoe was shown looking worse for wear after a bender with Alfie soon greeting her saying: "Zoe." We can confirm that Zoe will be onscreen for Tuesday and Wednesday too, before she returns permanently in the summer.
But Zoe isn't the only familiar face heading back to the show, with Max actor Jake Wood soon joining her it seems. Reports emerged weeks ago that Max was one of the names returning to the show, while Jacqueline Jossa told The Mirror there were multiple faces rejoining the soap.
She remained coy when asked about Max coming back before letting slip there's returns planned. Her co-star Scott Maslen also addressed the return, and shared his hopes for a further Branning comeback.
Jacqueline commented: "I have seen the rumours. I feel like you would have to ask Ben [Wadey], I'd love it. They tell us nothing. I feel like they tell me nothing because if they tell me, I will tell the world by accident.
"I know nothing. It's Max Branning. I'd love him back but he's super busy. We'll ask Ben, we'll beg Ben. Where is he?" Jacqueline went on: "I've heard some rumbles. I heard Kate Oates' source say maybe there are gonna be some returns and for me that excites me, whoever it is."
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As for Scott, he told us "it may well be" that Max will come back to the show after four years, and perhaps another of Jack's siblings won't be far behind. We asked Scott about the chances of Carol Jackson returning to the show.
He seemed very keen to see the comeback, amid reports that Max's son Oscar Branning will be on the show soon too. Speaking of historic characters returning, Scott told us the show did this well, making all kinds of returns possible.
He told us: "Well listen, my family is strong. The Brannings have got a long list of very strong characters, my sister, my brother, they are all brilliant. They would be more than welcome back. That is the beauty of this show.
"The work you put in, it doesn't go away. It is always manifesting itself in new ways, in new kids or a new person, so there's always [ a possibility]. That's what happens. There's always people going, people coming back. It's the amazing strength of this show because we can use people who are already a part of the history."