EastEnders reveals another shock return as Albert Square legend's son makes Walford comeback
Gorgeous Zoe Slater, best known for her explosive 'You ain't my mother!' showdown with Kat Slater, hit the square last week and now someone else is following in her footsteps.
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Zoe was back as Kat married Alfie for the third time and prepares to take over the Queen Victoria pub.
But now there's another shock return for the drama filled square.
Oscar Branning is on his way home to Albert Square this summer, and where Oscar goes, trouble is not far behind.
Oscar was last seen on screen in 2017 (played by twins Neo & Charlee Hall) when he made a brief visit to Max on Father's Day.
However, just why he is returning and where he's been is set to be revealed when Lauren receives a mysterious call.
Newcomer Pierre Moullier will play Oscar, who is now 17, as he arrives and turns Lauren's life upside down.
EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up.
"Oscar is very much a Branning which means there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer.
"We're delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can't wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.'
Pierre Moullier added: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders - it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square!
Blackmail horror for EastEnders teenager as sexual predator Joel targets another victim
"When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet.
"Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy!'
Pierre has already started filming, and Oscar will return to our screens next month.
EastEnders stars who QUIT
MICHELLE Collins has seen her second EastEnders stint boost her bank balance. Yet what stars have quit this year?
The Sun exclusively reported how Michelle, 62, was down to £20,000 in her company accounts when she agreed to a shock back-from-the-dead return to Albert Square last year.
Her character, Cindy Beale, was presumed dead off-camera in 1998.
Yet what about the 2024 exits?
Earlier this summer, loyal soap fans appeared to note how Stevie Mitchell had "quit" the long-running series.
It came after Alan Ford enjoyed just six-months on-screen.
Bobby Beale actor Clay Milner Russell also left this year after five years in Walford.
Fans also feared Martin Fowler actor James Bye would "quit out of boredom" over recent storylines.
Additionally, a host of stars have quit the BBC soap for Hollywood fame.
One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.
He played Stacey Slater's brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.
Ben Hardy, who quit EastEnders as Bobby Beale almost a decade ago, went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay 's Netflix movie 6 Underground.
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater until 2005.
She starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.
The actor, 52, will reprise his role as love rat Max Branning later this year in dramatic scenes.
Jake quit the BBC One soap in 2021 after 15 years to focus on other acting projects.
A telly source said: 'Jake's return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show.
'It'll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. Bosses are excited about what his character's reappearance means for spicing up the plots.
'There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.'
Speaking earlier this year Jake admitted he missed being part of the soap — except for the busy filming regime.
He said: 'I don't miss the schedules. Anyone will tell you how hard they are and sort of all-consuming, but obviously I miss a lot of the people.
'When you're at the centre of a big storyline like EastEnders Christmas, something like that — it's a real thrill as an actor to be a part of that, big storylines, big characters."
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