Michelle Ryan's EastEnders to Hollywood Bionic Woman journey
The 41-year-old made her return to our screens last night (June 16) as the iconic Zoe Slater.
Rewind to June 2005, and it was the last time the young actress would appear on the Square after being part of some of the soap's best-known storylines – including her bid to kill Dirty Den.
National press were quick to speculate about Michelle's future, with headlines reading that she'd left EastEnders for Hollywood.
At the time, Michelle was one of the soap's biggest names and bosses often hoped for her to return over the years.
Maintaining a life away from the public eye, Michelle reportedly turned down previous offers for a Zoe Slater comeback.
Michelle Ryan – Bionic Woman
After her EastEnders exit, Michelle kickstarted her bid to crack America after landing the leading role in the TV show Bionic Woman.
Michelle played bartender Jaime Sommers in the show, who was saved from a car accident and had her body repaired.
However, the show was hit by the Writers Guild of America Strike in 2008, the Daily Mail reports. Production was halted after just eight episodes were filmed, and it was later axed due to low ratings.
Michelle went onto star as villain Nimueh in the first series of BBC fantasy Merlin, and guest starred in Doctor Who Special Planet Of The Dead in 2009 alongside David Tennant.
Michelle has since gone on to land roles in several independent films, starring alongside The Crown's Harry Treadaway and Danny DeVito.
In 2010, Michelle joined a cast of future Hollywood favourites such as Emma Roberts in 4.3.2.1, and she also starred in the sci-fi Andron opposite Alec Baldwin in 2015.
Michelle also took to the stage alongside Will Young in a 2012 West End production of Cabaret.
When did Zoe Slater leave EastEnders?
When Michelle quit EastEnders in 2005 she revealed that she had got 'bored' of the role.
Recommended reading:
She told the Bristol Evening Post at the time: 'Doing the same thing day in, day out. It's just so boring. I like to jump from different things.
'I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things.
'I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be – big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role.'
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