Rob Kazinsky has been confirmed as returning to EastEnders in the role of Sean Slater, with the beloved character set to become a permanent fixture in Albert Square once again later this year.
It marks two decades since the actor first stepped onto the Walford set in 2006, and 17 years since Sean was last a full-time resident of the Square.
Though the character has made sporadic appearances over the years, including brief stints in 2019, 2021 and 2022, the upcoming comeback will see him properly settle back into life in Walford for the first time since his explosive departure on New Year’s Day 2009.
Sean’s return is motivated by family, though the BBC has teased that his full reasons for coming back will gradually be revealed.
Since leaving EastEnders, Rob has carved out a notable career in Hollywood
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GETTY
An ex-soldier turned womaniser, Sean quickly established himself as one of Walford’s most volatile residents upon his arrival, becoming entangled in stormy romances with Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) and Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton).
His relationship with mother Jean (Gillian Wright) and sister Stacey (Lacey Turner) produced some of the soap’s most memorable scenes, while feuds with Max Branning (Jake Wood), Johnny Allen (Billy Murray) and Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) left a trail of destruction across the Square.
Sean married Roxy in 2008, but the union collapsed spectacularly on Christmas Day that year when it emerged that Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) was the biological father of baby Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd).
The revelation sent Sean into a spiral, culminating in his attempt to drive himself, Roxy and Amy into a frozen lake before fleeing Walford.
Mr Kazinsky spoke warmly about his decision to reprise the role, saying.
“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,” he stated.
The actor went on: “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.”
Rob Kazinsky played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean in EastEnders and will be reprising the role
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INSTAGRAM – ROB KAZINSKY
EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey said: “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.”
Since departing the soap, Mr Kazinsky has carved out a notable career in Hollywood, appearing in blockbusters including Pacific Rim, Warcraft, Captain Marvel and Star Trek: Section 31, alongside television roles in True Blood, Second Chance and Law & Order: Los Angeles.
His most significant guest return came in 2019, when a powerful week of episodes saw Sean support Jean through her ovarian cancer diagnosis whilst also confronting his own mental health struggles.
Sean Slater left EastEnders on New Year’s Day 2009
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BBC
He later appeared unannounced in 2021 after Jean discovered Stacey had married Eve Unwin in prison, and again in 2022 via video call when Stacey raised concerns about their mother.
Viewers will also be watching to see whether Stacey, who left Walford last year to live and work with Sean in Brazil, might follow her brother back to the Square.
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