Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) has returned to EastEnders and suddenly, everything feels just right.
The character, who hasn’t lived in Walford since 2009, is back on our screens full time. I know. Turns out we can have nice things.
‘I know it’s cliche, but it feels like home’, star Rob Kazinsky said.
‘Perhaps because I played Sean when I was so young or perhaps because the happiest time of my life was when I was first in Walford, but treading these streets again, wearing Sean Slater, feels safe and calm and exciting all at the same time.’
Sean is back in Albert Square helping Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) search for Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd). This week, the youngster sped off with Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey), the man who has been grooming her.
After spending the entire night searching for Amy, Sean and Jack return home in next week’s episodes, and things are very tense. Matters are then made worse when Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) spies Sean and riles at him for not saying hello.
At Number 27, Sean and Jack update the family about Amy. The duo fall into an argument later in the day as they learn about Max Branning (Jake Wood) giving Amy her inheritance money.
‘I actually think that this relationship is the most storied for Sean; enemies to grudging acceptance’, Rob said, reflecting on the dynamic that Sean has with Jack.
‘The speed with which two men who have a fight can become friends is almost ridiculous and Sean and Jack have one thing that binds them together – they both love Amy. Will that mean they become friends or will Jack resent her first father coming back into her life?’.
Meanwhile, Amy and Craig hide in a bedsit, and it’s very clear that Amy is nervous. Craig arranges a place for them to stay overseas, but when he realises a secret bank account has been frozen, he hits Amy.
As the family continue to worry about where Amy is, Sean comes up with an idea to try and lure her to Walford – a video created by Denise Fox (Diane Parish).
But will it be enough?
‘Sean never stopped thinking of Amy as his child, he held her in his arms as his daughter and finding out she wasn’t his was the hardest thing that ever happened to him’, Rob said.
‘He will protect her and love her as only a father ever could. He swore to Roxy that he would do so and nothing stops him keeping promises to Roxy Mitchell.’