Michelle Ryan reveals 'nostalgia' over EastEnders

Michelle Ryan reveals 'nostalgia' over EastEnders
Michelle Ryan reveals 'nostalgia' over EastEnders (Image credit: PA Archive/PA Photos)

Michelle Ryan has revealed that she is flattered that people still remember her EastEnders role. The 28-year-old actress - who stars in new film Cockneys Vs Zombies - is glad that her role as Zoe Slater on the BBC One soap made such an impact. "It's quite nice, it's become nostalgic now. Cockneys Vs Zombies is set in the East End so the fact I still have people asking about EastEnders is great," she admitted. "The character I play is not anything like Zoe but there's still that kind of vibe that has that East End grip to it." While Michelle - who also stars in British film The Man Inside and who is set to star in West End musical Cabaret with Will Young - has no plans to return to the soap, she isn't surprised that her co-stars Jessie Wallace (Kat Moon) and Shane Ritchie (Alfie Moon) decided to head back to Albert Square. "I think it's different for different people. Whatever works for each individual. I've worked with quite a few people on the show, we're still friends and they feel like they wouldn't go back," she said. The Man Inside opens in cinemas on July 27, Cockneys Vs Zombies is released on August 24 and Cabaret is at London's Savoy Theatre from October 3.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.