EastEnders star Michelle Ryan reveals she turned down HUGE US role as Zoe Slater returns to Walford
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EASTENDERS legend Michelle Ryan has revealed she turned down a massive role in the US - before she made her shock return to Walford as Zoe Slater.
Nearly 20 years after waving goodbye to Albert Square, Michelle is stepping back into Zoe Slater's heels as part of a dramatic new storyline.
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Michelle revealed she turned her back on a shot at Hollywood fame
Credit: PA
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The role was eventually snapped up by Kelly Macdonald
Credit: HBO
The actress, 40, kept a low profile in recent years, admitting she 'never ruled out a return' - but says the timing had to be right.
But Michelle revealed she turned her back on a shot at Hollywood fame - by snubbing an audition for hit US series Boardwalk Empire.
The EastEnders icon wanted to try out for the role eventually snapped up by Kelly Macdonald in 2010, but gave it a miss over fears of being tied into a five-year contract.
She admitted the long-term commitment made her think twice - despite the role being in one of the biggest HBO dramas of the decade.
Boardwalk Empire was a critically-acclaimed American period crime drama that aired on HBO from 2010 to 2014, spanning five seasons.
Set during the Prohibition era in 1920s Atlantic City, the series followed the rise and reign of corrupt political figure Enoch "Nucky" Thompson (Steve Buscemi).
The stellar cast also included Michael Shannon, Michael Pitt, Stephen Graham as Al Capone and Shea Whigham.
Created by Terence Winter (The Sopranos) and produced by Martin Scorsese, the series was a hit with critics and fans alike - bagging two Golden Globes, 20 Emmys, and plenty of praise for its stylish production, gripping storylines and powerhouse performances.
Despite ending after five seasons, it's still remembered as one of HBO's most lavish and ambitious shows.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Michelle wrote: "What a phenomenal series this is. Another by Terence Winter. I love Kelly McDonald, she is just so compelling in her role.
EastEnders' Michelle Ryan reveals emotional secret reunion with soap cast before Zoe Slater's bombshell return
"My agent at the time, back in 2010 wanted me to meet for a part on this for casting, I passed. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ A big mistake for sure. I was wary of five year contracts back then.
"Anyway, things happen for a reason. And the actress who was given the role is so so so good. I love what she did with the part.
"It also taught me that when you read a pilot it doesn't show you the entire part of a character and that when it's a new series it will evolve, lesson learned!
"Everyone in the series is incredible. It's such a luxurious piece. And I'm only on season one! Yay."
Michelle shot to fame playing feisty Zoe in the early 2000s - best known for the iconic 'You ain't my mother!' scene with on-screen mum Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).
Forgotten soap storylines
The nation's soaps have had many gripping storylines play out over the years. However, some plots proved to be far less memorable. Here are some forgotten stories from Weatherfield, Walford and more...
Coronation Street Ken and Audrey's romance (2015): After the death of wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride), Coronation Street original Ken Barlow (William Roache) started to move on in his life. He started to develop a spark with old friend Audrey (Sue Nicholls), with then-Corrie boss saying it would be like "Ross and Rachel". In the end, nothing ever came of it and the two remained platonic pals.
After the death of wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride), Coronation Street original Ken Barlow (William Roache) started to move on in his life. He started to develop a spark with old friend Audrey (Sue Nicholls), with then-Corrie boss saying it would be like "Ross and Rachel". In the end, nothing ever came of it and the two remained platonic pals. Beth's bigamy (2016): Despite being happily married to Kirk (Andrew Whyment), a troubling secret came to light about Beth Tinker (Lisa George). It transpired that she had never divorced from her first husband, Darryl (Paul Loughran), father of her son Craig (Colson Smith). Although Craig and Kirk were shocked - and Beth was arrested - the storyline didn't didn't go much further.
EastEnders Kat Slater's secret son (2017): Capitalising on the popularity of Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie), the two received a spin-off back in 2017. Titled 'Redwater', it saw the two travel to Ireland where they met long-lost son Luke, now called Dermott Dolan, played by Oisín Stack. Despite the high-tension events during Redwater, Kat seems to have put the experience behind her as Dermott's not been mentioned since.
Capitalising on the popularity of Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie), the two received a spin-off back in 2017. Titled 'Redwater', it saw the two travel to Ireland where they met long-lost son Luke, now called Dermott Dolan, played by Oisín Stack. Despite the high-tension events during Redwater, Kat seems to have put the experience behind her as Dermott's not been mentioned since. Alfie's brain tumour (2015): Having learned in 2015 that he had a brain tumour, Alfie kept the news from Kat until their trip to Ireland. At the time, actor Shane Ritchie revealed fans would see a change in Alfie as he battled the illness. It would appear that at some point after leaving the Square, was told the tumour was non-malignant. By the time Alfie returned in 2022, fans were left confused over what had happened to the storyline.
Having learned in 2015 that he had a brain tumour, Alfie kept the news from Kat until their trip to Ireland. At the time, actor Shane Ritchie revealed fans would see a change in Alfie as he battled the illness. It would appear that at some point after leaving the Square, was told the tumour was non-malignant. By the time Alfie returned in 2022, fans were left confused over what had happened to the storyline. Kathy and Buster's affair (2016): In 2016, Walford legend Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) fell into the arms of convict Buster Briggs, played by Karl Howman. Buster was the long-time lover of Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and fathered both her sons - Mick (Danny Dyer) and Dean (Matt Di Angelo). When Buster left, he begged Kathy to join him, but she refused for the sake of her family. Meanwhile Buster didn't even stop to say goodbye to Shirley before exiting with a broken heart. Fans expected a showdown between the two women, but this never came to pass.
Emmerdale Jacob's OCD (2016): After his dad, David (Matthew Wolfenden), was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) developed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This manifested in the form of cleaning. Jacob's OCD made a brief return one year on, after David had another scare after finding a lump. Jacob frantically searched the bins for a 'lucky coin' that had accidentally been thrown away. Despite stressful situations - such as being groomed by his teacher Maya, losing his fiancee Leanna to a serial killer, dealing with mum Leyla's drug addiction, and surviving a stabbing - the condition doesn't appear to have returned.
After his dad, David (Matthew Wolfenden), was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) developed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This manifested in the form of cleaning. Jacob's OCD made a brief return one year on, after David had another scare after finding a lump. Jacob frantically searched the bins for a 'lucky coin' that had accidentally been thrown away. Despite stressful situations - such as being groomed by his teacher Maya, losing his fiancee Leanna to a serial killer, dealing with mum Leyla's drug addiction, and surviving a stabbing - the condition doesn't appear to have returned. Marlon and Charity's fling (2003): Few fans would likely remember few will remember the one-night stand between Charity (Emma Atkins) and Marlon (Mark Charnock) in 2003. The pair slept together when Charity was staying with Marlon while still under suspicion for husband Chris's supposed "murder".
Hollyoaks Alex Browning's revenge plot (2014): Fans expected a confrontation when Dr Browning's son Alex (Ojan Genc) mer stepmum Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe). After all, Mercedes, with Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin) had murdered Alex's dad, double-murderer Dr Paul Browning, after he kidnapped and attacked his new wife. In fact, the soap teased Alex would seek revenge for his father's death upon arriving. However, he instead gave Cindy's son Hilton (his half-brother) a life-saving transplant, became his godfather, and leaving the village soon after.
The iconic character made her dramatic return to Walford after two decades away, but viewers are already speculating there's a hidden agenda behind the familiar face resurfacing.
Some viewers are convinced she's not here for a cosy family catch-up.
Instead, they think she's got unfinished business with Ross and stepson Joel, who rocked up alongside Vicki Fowler earlier this year for Martin Fowler's funeral.
Since landing on the Square, teen Joel has been ruffling feathers - and while fans have uncovered a string of his dark secrets, one mystery remains... who's his real mum?
Now, viewers reckon Zoe could be hiding the ultimate bombshell.
Taking to the Instagram, one fan wrote: "We reckon she's Joel's mum!"
Another added: "Omg it will be crazy if she is acc Joel's biological mum!"
A third penned: "You ain't my mother' to be recreated with Zoe & Joel, I predict."
Viewers will see Zoe in two further episodes this week - but she will be on board full-time this summer.
EastEnders new boss, Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as, although we haven't seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.'
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EastEnders fans reckon Zoe Slater's shock return ain't about Kat - but all about a bombshell link to troublemaker Joel Marshall
Credit: BBC
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Joel's secrets are beginning to unravel - but who is his real mum?
Credit: BBC
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