Zoe Slater’s Dramatic Comeback

Walford has been thrown into chaos once again, but this time it’s not because of a Mitchell feud or a Branning scandal. Instead, it’s the long-awaited return of Zoe Slater that has shaken fans to their core. After nearly two decades away, actress Michelle Ryan is back on EastEnders, reprising her role as Kat Slater’s eldest daughter.

This week, viewers discovered Zoe has been hiding a huge secret. During her time away, she gave birth to twins. Tragedy struck when one of the babies sadly died, leaving Zoe and Kat grieving a loss that has clearly shaped Zoe’s life. The surviving child, however, has become the center of a new mystery. Zoe revealed that her son was adopted out — and with a flashback confirming he was born in 2006, fans know he is now 19 years old and potentially about to turn up in Walford.

Dermott’s Erasure – A Parallel Universe Twist

While Zoe’s return should be cause for celebration, fans quickly noticed something strange. There was no mention at all of Zoe’s own twin brother, Dermott. Longtime viewers will remember that Kat once discovered she had given birth to twins herself, and that shocking reveal led to the EastEnders spin-off Redwater in 2017.

In that controversial series, Kat came face to face with Dermott, played by Oisín Stack, who was revealed to be both a priest and a murderer. The drama ended on a chilling cliffhanger, with Kat fighting for her life. Although it was pitched as an extension of the main EastEnders story, the show never really addressed Dermott again once Kat returned to Walford.

Now, executive producer Ben Wadey has confirmed the truth: Dermott no longer exists in EastEnders canon. Speaking to The Sun, he explained that Redwater should be viewed as a “parallel universe” separate from the soap’s official history. In other words, Dermott and his dark storyline have been erased, allowing Zoe’s comeback to chart a fresh path without the baggage of the spin-off.

A Clean Slate for Zoe

By wiping Dermott from history, the new EastEnders boss has effectively given Zoe Slater a clean slate. Instead of referencing the messy and divisive Redwater arc, the show is pivoting toward an entirely new mystery surrounding Zoe’s twins. Viewers now know that one baby tragically died, while the other was adopted. This sets the stage for a gripping new storyline: when will Zoe’s son return, and how will his arrival impact both her and Kat?

Given that the boy would be 19 years old now, the timing is perfect for him to storm into Walford. His presence would raise explosive questions. Does he know his true parentage? Will he resent Zoe for giving him up? And how will Kat react when she realizes that yet another Slater secret has come back to haunt her?

What This Means for Walford’s Future

This bold creative decision signals a shift for EastEnders under Ben Wadey’s leadership. By closing the door on Redwater and its divisive Dermott storyline, the show is focusing on character-driven drama rooted in Walford itself. Zoe’s return ties directly to the Slater family, one of the most iconic clans in soap history, while also planting seeds for fresh conflicts and new characters.

With Zoe’s surviving son likely to appear soon, fans can expect heartbreak, tension, and long-buried secrets bubbling to the surface. And with Max Branning already back on screen and Zoe reportedly facing a life-or-death battle after a shock shooting, the drama is only just beginning.

Final Thoughts

EastEnders thrives on reinvention, and Zoe Slater’s return proves it. By erasing Dermott and rewriting the Slater family history, the show has opened the door to new stories without being tied down by a controversial past. For fans, it means fresh intrigue, emotional stakes, and the chance to see Zoe step back into the spotlight where she belongs.