Rob Kazinsky makes EastEnders comeback

Rob Kazinsky is to reprise his role as Sean Slater in EastEnders for a new stint later this year.

The son of Jean (Gillian Wright) and brother of Stacey (Lacey Turner), Sean arrived in Walford in August 2006, but left over New Year’s 2009 amid drama with Mitchell sisters Roxy (Rita Simons) and Ronnie (Samantha Womack).

Sean returned for brief guest appearances in 2019, 2021 and 2022 but will be back for a longer stint this time for “family” reasons which “will become clear”.

The news has sparked speculation that Turner – one of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing contestants – will also be returning, with Stacey having left Albert Square with her kids in October 2025 to live with Sean in Brazil.

“I left EastEnders in 2008 as a 23-year-old boy and was lucky to spend the next 19 years of my life working around the world, always championing EastEnders and stating the fact that one day I wanted to walk in Sean’s shoes again, but this time as a man to see who Sean the man might also be,” said Kazinsky, who has also appeared in True Blood and Captain Marvel.

“I wanted to do it for Sean, I wanted to do it for the fans that have supported me in every role since I left the Square but, mostly, I wanted to do it for me. I’m home, and I can’t wait to bring a new level of heartfelt chaos to Albert Square in the way only Sean Slater can.”

Exec producer Ben Wadey added: “I’m delighted to welcome Rob Kazinsky back to EastEnders as he reprises the role of Sean Slater later this year. Sean Slater was a big part of the Slater family and as viewers will already know, where Sean goes, drama is not far behind.”

Kazinsky’s first scenes back as Sean are expected to air in the coming months.