Former ‘EastEnders’ star Michelle Ryan has urged soap bosses to recast her character, after revealing she has no desire to return as Zoe Slater.
The actress has said she would like to see someone else take on the role as there is “such untapped territory” with Zoe, who was famously revealed to be Kat Slater’s secret daughter.
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater on 'EastEnders' (Photo: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Speaking to Bang Showbiz (via Digital Spy), she said: “I know they’re probably thinking, ‘Well, would you like to come back?’ but I think the best thing would be if they recast the role.
“It’s not part of my life anymore but I feel it would be the right thing to recast the role.
“Zoe is such a great character and there’s such untapped territory there and there will be some actress out there that’s desperate for that break and I would say give that actress that break because it’s just the best learning curve working there.”
Michelle has no desire to return to the soap herself (Photo: PA Archive/PA Images)
She added: “I had such a good time doing it, and it was such an incredible opportunity.
“I won’t be going back but if they’re waiting on that character – I know she’s very popular – I think give that unknown actress a break, because it’s such a great thing to be part of ‘EastEnders’.”
During her five-year stint on the soap, Michelle’s character was part of one of soapland’s most iconic ever scenes, when Zoe discovered her ‘sister’ Kat had been hiding the fact she was her real mother.
She eventually left Albert Square in 2005, following her involvement in Den Watts’ death, with his wife Chrissy and Sam Mitchell.
If bosses did decide to recast Zoe, it wouldn’t be the first time they’d handed the role of a much-loved character to another actor.
Played by: Charlie Jones (2006–10), Joshua Pascoe (2010–12) and Harry Reid (2014–). Two other actors also played the troubled youngster back in the '90s, but since returning to Albert Square when Kathy Beale "died" in 2006, these three stars have been tasked with starring as Phil's son.
Lauren Branning
Played by: Madeline Duggan (2006–10), Jacqueline Jossa (2010–). We loved Madeline, but casting Jacqueline as Lauren was a genius move, and under her careful watch, Lauren's been at the centre of a number of a key storylines, battling alcoholism, figuring out who killed her best friend and welcoming her own baby.
Bobby Beale
Played by: Alex Francis (2007–12), Rory Stroud (2013–14), Eliot Carrington (2014–). Yes, we know - we should have solved the 'Who killed Lucy Beale?' case when Bobby was randomly recast as the plot kicked off. The Beale family have proven difficult for the soap's bosses, and all of Ian's kids have been recast at least once. Kevin Curran also starred as Bobby when he was a tot.
Lucy Beale
Played by: Melissa Suffield (2004–10) and Hetti Bywater (2012–15). Another two actresses also played Lucy in her younger years, but it's Melissa and Hetti that fans will remember (though admittedly, Melissa's Lucy probably won't be remembered for the right reasons...)
Mark Fowler
Played by: David Scarboro (1985–87) and Todd Carty (1990–2003). Todd took over as Mark following David's death. The character went on to become one of Walford's most-loved residents, and when Todd bid farewell to the soap, viewers said an emotional goodbye.
Sam Mitchell
Played by: Danniella Westbrook (1990–2000), Kim Medcalf (2002–05) and Danniella (again) (2009–10). In one of the most bizarre recastings ever, Kim played Sam Mitchell, for nearly three years, however when Sam returned to Albert Square in 2009, she'd morphed back into Danniella again.
Martin Fowler
Played by: Jon Peyton-Price (1985–96), James Alexandrou (1996–2007) and James Bye (2014–). James II took over the role when Martin returned to the Square in 2014, and admittedly, it did take a while for us to stop wondering where the old James was.
Shabnam Masood
Played by: Zahra Ahmadi (2007–08) and Rakhee Thakrar (2014–). Rakhee's starred in a number of emotional storylines since joining the soap, and her stillbirth episodes made for some of the most tear-jerking soap scenes of 2015.
Dennis Rickman
Played by: Harry Hickles (2012–15) and Bleu Landau (2015–). Let's be honest - this was a long time coming. Perhaps now, Denny will actually leave his room and get some much-needed vitamin D.
Peter Beale
Played by: Every actor in existence. Thomas Law and Ben Hardy are just two in a long line of Peter Beales, as a whooping six actors have tackled the role. Ben is now busy cracking Hollywood, which leaves us wondering whether he'd ever return to the soap. Could another recast be on the cards?
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