Zoe’s Dramatic Return to Walford

EastEnders fans were stunned this week when Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) returned to the Square after nearly 20 years. Her reappearance came with shocking revelations, haunting flashbacks, and a brutal attack that left her life hanging by a thread.

Viewers saw Zoe caught in the middle of a violent struggle involving Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara). A gun went off during their fight, and Zoe was shot. As she faded in and out of consciousness, memories from 2006 revealed the painful secrets she has carried for decades.

Zoe’s Past Secrets Come to Light

In those flashbacks, we learned Zoe gave birth to twins after a traumatic labour. Her baby daughter was critically ill, and Zoe left the hospital before discovering whether the child survived.

Her son, however, she rejected. Believing he had “bad blood,” Zoe put him up for adoption. In the years since, she has desperately searched for him, pouring her money into a shady private investigator named Greg Dolan.

But Zoe’s attempts to uncover the truth only led to more danger.

A Violent Encounter With Greg Dolan

When Zoe met Greg, he demanded more cash to share information about her son. Desperate, she asked Max Branning (Jake Wood) for help, and he agreed to give her £5,000.

Inside, however, Greg’s demands turned sinister. He forced himself on Zoe, but she fought back. Quick-thinking, she grabbed a lampshade and struck him until he fell unconscious. Shaken, she told Max what happened, and the two parted ways.

But fans quickly picked up on something strange about Greg — and it all ties back to Zoe’s family history.

The Dolan Connection – Fans Spot a Clue

Eagle-eyed viewers noticed Greg’s surname. Dolan. That’s the same surname Zoe’s estranged twin brother was given after adoption.

Long-term fans will remember that Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) gave birth to twins after being abused by her uncle. While Zoe was raised by her grandparents, Kat had no idea the second child survived. That son, renamed Dermott Dolan, resurfaced years later in the spin-off series Kat and Alfie: Redwater.

Dermott turned out to be a killer. He even caused a boating accident that nearly drowned Kat, leaving viewers convinced she had died.

Could Dermott Be Back?

Now, fans are asking if Greg Dolan and Dermott Dolan are connected. Is Greg a relative? A cover identity? Or even Dermott himself under a new disguise?

The theory gained traction after the Albert Square: After Dark podcast pointed out the name link online. If Dermott has returned, it could mean Zoe’s attacker isn’t Jack or Ravi after all — but her own brother.

A Dark Twist for Zoe’s Storyline

If the theory proves true, Zoe’s comeback storyline could take a horrifying turn. Not only would it tie back to one of EastEnders’ most shocking spin-offs, but it would also pit Zoe against a family member she never knew existed until it was too late.

With her life already in danger, and Dermott’s history as a killer, the Slaters may be heading into another dark chapter.

What Happens Next?

For now, Zoe is recovering, unaware of the fan theories swirling around her attack. Meanwhile, viewers are left to wonder:

• Did Jack or Ravi really shoot her?

• Or was the true danger sitting across from her all along in Greg Dolan?

• Could Dermott Dolan be preparing for a deadly comeback?

The answers are still unfolding, but one thing is certain — Zoe’s return has reignited one of the darkest family secrets in EastEnders history.