EastEnders is never short of drama, but the return of Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) has thrown Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) into yet more chaos. After years away, Zoe’s comeback has unearthed shocking secrets — and her dangerous connection to Max Branning (Jake Wood) is about to cause further turmoil.

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Zoe’s Turbulent Return

Since arriving back in Walford, Zoe has been at the centre of one disaster after another. Her reunion with Kat was cut short by a stray bullet during a tense standoff involving Ravi Gulati and Jack Branning.

In the aftermath, Zoe’s heartbreaking past began to unravel. She revealed that she had given birth to twins, one tragically stillborn, while the surviving baby was left behind at the hospital. Her desperate attempts to track down the child led to a hostage ordeal with shady detective Greg Dolan.

In a bitter confrontation with Sharon Watts, Zoe then dropped another bombshell — Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman) is the father of her child.

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A Secret Affair with Max

Zoe’s biggest secret, however, is her relationship with Max Branning. Having shared a dalliance with him during her time away, Zoe’s past threatens to resurface just as Max returns to Walford for daughter Lauren Branning’s surprise wedding to Peter Beale.

When Kat spots a close moment between Zoe and Max, alarm bells ring. Determined to shield her daughter from more heartbreak, Kat issues a firm warning: stay away from Max.

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Will Zoe Listen?

Kat’s words are clear, but Zoe has never been one to follow rules — especially when it comes to matters of the heart. With Max back on the Square, the truth about their entanglement may be impossible to hide.

As Kat fights to protect her daughter, the question remains: will Zoe resist Max, or is Walford braced for yet another explosive Branning scandal?