Michelle Ryan announces departure from EastEnders and teases new summer project

Actress Michelle Ryan, 42, confirmed on Instagram that she will leave the BBC soap EastEnders later this year, with her character Zoe Slater set to be written out. Ryan said she is working on a new project for the summer and will share details soon, thanking fans for their support.

The announcement follows her brief return to the show after a 20‑year absence, which drew mixed reactions from viewers. An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed the upcoming exit, and the BBC has also announced that a new family will join the series in the coming months.