Huge EastEnders star returning to the Square 10 years after dramatic exit
This will be an explosive return!
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 18th Jan 2019
EastEnders fans are going to be jumping for joy at the news that Rob Kazinsky AKA Sean Slater is returning to Walford! The 35-year-old, who played Sean from 2006 to 2009, has had 10 years away from the soap to pursue his Hollywood dreams, but has decided to come back to the Square a decade after his dramatic departure.
Of course, viewers will remember that Stacey Slater's brother had tumultuous relationships with Ruby Allen, Tanya Branning and Roxy Mitchell, and when he found out that the father of his and Roxy's daughter Amy was Jack Branning, he took rather drastic action.
Just to refresh memories, he kidnapped Amy and had Roxy join him at an icy lake in the 'hope' that they would all drown together - thankfully, Roxy got him to hand the baby over, but she and Sean fell in. Ronnie saved Roxy, and she saw him crawl out of the lake and walk away.
Of his return, Rob said, "This year marked 10 years since Sean fled from Walford after plunging into a frozen lake. A decade since I left the studio at Elstree and Sean Slater behind to move to the USA to chase a dream that seemed so farfetched.
"Throughout my career, I have always felt that my best work was on EastEnders as Sean Slater, that there was something there in him that I understood completely, something traumatic, something that we never really got to show the viewers. I have unfinished business in Albert Square and am thrilled to be returning to what I still consider to be my home, however briefly."
Swipe through to see all the EastEnders spoilers you need for next week...
The bailiffs arrive at the Slater house
Later, Mo has a go at the bailiffs when they take possessions from the Slater house.
Huge EastEnders star returning to the Square 10 years after dramatic exit
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Denise has bad news
Also on the Square, Kush Kazemi is surprised to discover Denise has returned from her mini-break. Later Denise confides in Patrick and reveals she's lost her job.
The bailiffs arrive at the Slater house
Later, Mo has a go at the bailiffs when they take possessions from the Slater house.
Alfie makes Phil an offer
While Alfie's at The Arches, he notices Keanu Taylor is hiding a stack of cash and it gets him thinking…
After tracking down Phil, Alfie makes him an offer. Later after securing money, Alfie arranges a family meal but Kat's left upset when she gets a text from Alfie saying he's in trouble…
Eek!
Poor Kat is left shocked when she finds half a message from Alfie on a Post-it note in her bag. She's left in despair when Ernie reveals he's eaten the other part.
Things get worse when the police arrive with some shocking news – what's happened?
Ian pulls out of Alfie's investment
The drama for the Slaters doesn't stop there though because Alfie is still lurking.
His week kicks off to a stressful start when all of his lies catch up on him. It's not long before Ian Beale withdraws from the investment and when Kat slams her husband, a desperate Alfie seeks out Phil to help with his money issue.
Kat and Stacey desperately turn the house upside down trying to find a clue from Alfie but can't find anything.
It's not long before a furious Phil arrives, after finding out Alfie's done a runner, and demands answers from the Slaters.
Stacey worries about Hayley
Following a dramatic few weeks, things get off to a great start for Kat who revels in looking after her kids.
While thing is happening, Stacey worries about Hayley following all the trauma she's recently been through.
At the end of the week, Kat explains to the kids that Alfie's gone away for a while however when she finds the rest of Alfie's note she rushes upstairs…
Mick gets annoyed at Megan
Over to the Carter household and Linda Carter worries when Mick Carter refuses to speak to their son Johnny.
Things get worse when Megan arrives and starts complaining that the football team has folded.
Despite Mick and Megan being at odds, Linda loves seeing her husband wound up because Megan reminds her of Nancy.
Later on when Mick plays football with Ollie, Megan shows him up again with his coaching techniques.
It's not long before Mick caves and agrees to coach the football team again.
Following his new role and a fun day out with Ollie, Mick asks Linda to call their kids Nancy and Johnny.
N'aww.
Mitch is left worried
Elsewhere, Mitch Baker agrees to coach the football team alongside Mick.
Mitch then sweet talks Karen into looking after Bailey but he's left worries when he hears Karen is looking for him – what's Mitch hiding?
Later, Karen helps Bailey get over her fear of dogs and Mitch is left touched when he sees the little one performing magic tricks.
Phil warns Louise off from Keanu
Over to Keanu Taylor and he feels suspicious when Phil asks him to work discretely on a car.
Then when Phil spots Louise heading over to The Arches he warns his daughter to leave Keanu alone.
Phil invites Keanu over for dinner
An annoyed Louise gives her dad a piece of her mind but after some tough words, Phil does a complete U-turn and invites Keanu over for dinner.
Keegan is tempted by drugs
While all this drama is going on, Keegan struggles when he gets a reminder of his friend Shakil. Struggling to cope, he thinks drugs will help…
Strapped for cash, Keegan is at loss but when he bumps into Phil, who asks him to give Keanu and Louise's blessing, he agrees in exchange for cash.
We can already tell this isn't going to end well…
Louise and Bernadette bond
Later on, Louise and Bernadette have a heart to heart and after hearing Keegan's sister's advice, Louise snubs Keanu when he tries to let her down gently.
Following her dad's meddling, a mortified Louise rushes to apologise to Keanu.
At the end of the week, Karen and Bernadette offer to help Louise but then things go from bad to worse for her.
Unfortunately, dinner gets cancelled when Keanu insists he can't pursue his brother's ex-girlfriend… makes sense to be fair.
Denise has bad news
Also on the Square, Kush Kazemi is surprised to discover Denise has returned from her mini-break. Later Denise confides in Patrick and reveals she's lost her job.
The bailiffs arrive at the Slater house
Later, Mo has a go at the bailiffs when they take possessions from the Slater house.
Alfie makes Phil an offer
While Alfie's at The Arches, he notices Keanu Taylor is hiding a stack of cash and it gets him thinking…
After tracking down Phil, Alfie makes him an offer. Later after securing money, Alfie arranges a family meal but Kat's left upset when she gets a text from Alfie saying he's in trouble…
Eek!
Poor Kat is left shocked when she finds half a message from Alfie on a Post-it note in her bag. She's left in despair when Ernie reveals he's eaten the other part.
Things get worse when the police arrive with some shocking news – what's happened?
Ian pulls out of Alfie's investment
The drama for the Slaters doesn't stop there though because Alfie is still lurking.
His week kicks off to a stressful start when all of his lies catch up on him. It's not long before Ian Beale withdraws from the investment and when Kat slams her husband, a desperate Alfie seeks out Phil to help with his money issue.
Kat and Stacey desperately turn the house upside down trying to find a clue from Alfie but can't find anything.
It's not long before a furious Phil arrives, after finding out Alfie's done a runner, and demands answers from the Slaters.
Stacey worries about Hayley
Following a dramatic few weeks, things get off to a great start for Kat who revels in looking after her kids.
While thing is happening, Stacey worries about Hayley following all the trauma she's recently been through.
At the end of the week, Kat explains to the kids that Alfie's gone away for a while however when she finds the rest of Alfie's note she rushes upstairs…
Mick gets annoyed at Megan
Over to the Carter household and Linda Carter worries when Mick Carter refuses to speak to their son Johnny.
Things get worse when Megan arrives and starts complaining that the football team has folded.
Despite Mick and Megan being at odds, Linda loves seeing her husband wound up because Megan reminds her of Nancy.
Later on when Mick plays football with Ollie, Megan shows him up again with his coaching techniques.
It's not long before Mick caves and agrees to coach the football team again.
Following his new role and a fun day out with Ollie, Mick asks Linda to call their kids Nancy and Johnny.
N'aww.
Mitch is left worried
Elsewhere, Mitch Baker agrees to coach the football team alongside Mick.
Mitch then sweet talks Karen into looking after Bailey but he's left worries when he hears Karen is looking for him – what's Mitch hiding?
Later, Karen helps Bailey get over her fear of dogs and Mitch is left touched when he sees the little one performing magic tricks.
Phil warns Louise off from Keanu
Over to Keanu Taylor and he feels suspicious when Phil asks him to work discretely on a car.
Then when Phil spots Louise heading over to The Arches he warns his daughter to leave Keanu alone.
Phil invites Keanu over for dinner
An annoyed Louise gives her dad a piece of her mind but after some tough words, Phil does a complete U-turn and invites Keanu over for dinner.
Keegan is tempted by drugs
While all this drama is going on, Keegan struggles when he gets a reminder of his friend Shakil. Struggling to cope, he thinks drugs will help…
Strapped for cash, Keegan is at loss but when he bumps into Phil, who asks him to give Keanu and Louise's blessing, he agrees in exchange for cash.
We can already tell this isn't going to end well…
Louise and Bernadette bond
Later on, Louise and Bernadette have a heart to heart and after hearing Keegan's sister's advice, Louise snubs Keanu when he tries to let her down gently.
Following her dad's meddling, a mortified Louise rushes to apologise to Keanu.
At the end of the week, Karen and Bernadette offer to help Louise but then things go from bad to worse for her.
Unfortunately, dinner gets cancelled when Keanu insists he can't pursue his brother's ex-girlfriend… makes sense to be fair.
Denise has bad news
Also on the Square, Kush Kazemi is surprised to discover Denise has returned from her mini-break. Later Denise confides in Patrick and reveals she's lost her job.
He continued, "EastEnders is still the most important serial on British Television, never afraid to combat hard storylines and tell hard truths, I have always been proud of what EastEnders has done for social awareness throughout my lifetime and that is why I’m back. To tell a story that means something to me with the family that I know can tell it right.
"I can’t wait to see my Slaters again and see what’s in store for Sean as he brings an evolved animal to Albert Square."
New show boss Kate Oates added, "I’m beyond delighted to see Rob back in Albert Square and back at the heart of the Slater family. As an actor, Rob created a modern EastEnders icon in Sean; and as a creative, he has had much input in his returning story. It’s exciting to work with an actor with Rob’s drive, passion and eye for detail, and I can’t wait to see the impact his arrival has on the Square amidst those who loved or loathed the troubled Sean Slater."
Since leaving EastEnders, Rob has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Warcraft, and will also have a role in this year's hotly-anticipated Captain Marvel film.
EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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