EastEnders fans are in for a storm of shocking revelations and gut-wrenching drama, as Zoe Slater’s long-buried past resurfaces with devastating consequences that will ultimately change her life forever. After years away, Zoe’s unexpected return to Albert Square has been anything but smooth. From surviving a near-fatal shooting to being confronted with accusations about Den Watts’ death, Zoe finds herself spiraling into chaos. And now, the truth behind her violent past threatens to put her behind bars for the rest of her life.

Zoe’s Return and the Shooting That Changed Everything

Viewers recently watched Zoe make her surprise comeback to Walford, reuniting with her mother, Kat Moon. But her homecoming quickly turned into tragedy when she was accidentally shot in a chaotic struggle between Jack Branning and dangerous dealer Ravi Gulati. The incident left Zoe fighting for her life, and though police later confirmed she wasn’t the intended target, the trauma has left her shaken and vulnerable.

Despite the Slater family’s joy at having her back, Zoe’s wounds run deeper than anyone suspects. As the dust settles, flashbacks reveal fragments of her troubled past: giving birth to twins in 2006, a secret romance with Max Branning, and her haunting belief that she killed a man years ago. These buried memories now begin to resurface, pulling her toward a reckoning she can no longer escape.

Confrontation With Vicki Fowler

When Zoe tries to find solace at the café, she instead encounters Vicki Fowler, who wastes no time confronting her about the mysterious death of her father, Den Watts. The situation spirals into a heated confrontation, forcing Kathy Beale and Anthony Truman to intervene before things explode further.

But Vicki refuses to let the matter go. Fueled by grief and anger, she later tracks Zoe down at the Albert, where another bitter clash unfolds. Zoe, already fragile, is pushed further into the spotlight when Freddy and Big Mo openly discuss her shooting, with the story quickly hitting the local papers. The unwanted attention leaves Zoe feeling exposed, cornered, and desperate.

Secrets From the Past

Haunted by her resurfacing memories, Zoe reaches out to a figure from her past—someone whose identity remains shrouded in mystery. As the week unfolds, her paranoia grows. She becomes convinced her very presence is putting the Slater family in danger, despite Kat and Anthony’s efforts to calm her fears. Terrified, Zoe packs her belongings, ready to flee Walford once again.

Stacey, however, refuses to let her cousin run away from the truth. In a desperate plea, she urges Zoe to confide in her. That’s when Zoe drops the shocking confession: she once got into a violent fight with a man named Greg and believes she may have killed him.

The revelation leaves Stacey horrified. But rather than abandon her cousin, Stacey insists they must find out the truth. Together, they set out to Greg’s house. The question looms large—will they discover Greg alive, or is Zoe truly guilty of murder?

The Legal Nightmare Begins

As the truth comes to light, it isn’t long before police become involved. Zoe’s confession about Greg, combined with Vicki’s relentless determination to expose her connection to Den Watts’ death, sets off a chain of events that Zoe cannot outrun. Evidence mounts, witnesses resurface, and Zoe finds herself staring down the barrel of a criminal investigation that ties together years of buried secrets.

The Slater family rallies behind her, but even their support cannot stop the inevitable. Zoe is arrested, questioned, and eventually put on trial. The courtroom scenes promise to be some of the most dramatic EastEnders has delivered in recent memory. With the weight of her past crashing down on her, Zoe faces a damning verdict that seals her fate.

In a shocking twist, the judge sentences Zoe Slater to life in prison, declaring her a danger to society and holding her accountable for the chain of violent events that have followed her since her youth. The moment leaves Kat, Stacey, and the rest of the Slaters devastated, as they watch Zoe taken away in handcuffs, her freedom gone forever.

Julie’s New Chapter—and a Dangerous Entanglement

While Zoe’s downfall consumes much of the Square’s attention, another character quietly steps into a new chapter of her life. Longtime viewers will remember Julie, a face from the ’90s, who recently reconnected with her estranged husband, Nigel Bates. Their reunion has been bittersweet, with Nigel struggling through dementia and Julie clashing with Phil Mitchell over his care.

Determined to reclaim some normalcy, Julie applies for a teaching position at Walford High School. To her delight, she lands the job, seeing it as a fresh start despite the chaos around her. But she has no idea that her new role will pull her directly into one of Walford’s darkest and most dangerous ongoing storylines.

That storyline belongs to troubled teen Joel Marshall, a young man whose misogynistic behavior has spiraled alarmingly out of control. From secretly filming intimate encounters without consent to harassing women on public transport, Joel’s actions have shocked viewers. His father, Ross, has been powerless to rein him in, and recent episodes have shown Joel targeting Stacey Slater online and lashing out at Ross’ partner, Vicki Fowler.

As Joel becomes increasingly influenced by extremist voices, he sneaks off to attend a live podcast hosted by a notorious figure who fuels his toxic worldview. Vicki, exhausted by his behavior, turns to Julie for help.

Julie, ever compassionate, agrees to speak with Joel. She tries to reach him with patience and empathy, gently questioning his beliefs and challenging his harmful perspectives. But unbeknownst to her, Joel’s mindset is far more dangerous than she realizes. As she gets pulled deeper into his troubled world, viewers are left to wonder: is Julie putting herself in Joel’s crosshairs? Could her attempt to save him lead to her becoming his next victim?

The Truman Family Chaos

Amid these storylines, the Truman family is also thrust back into the spotlight. Following Patrick and Yolande’s emotional wedding, Anthony Truman’s surprise return has reignited old tensions. Actor Nicholas Bailey, who plays Anthony, has promised fans that more drama lies ahead as Anthony struggles to fit back into a family that feels unfamiliar after so many years away.

From unresolved father-son issues between Anthony and Patrick to new rivalries within the community, the Trumans are set to be at the heart of some of Walford’s biggest storylines this season. Bailey teased that Anthony feels like an outsider in his own family and that his reintegration will stir up conflict, secrets, and plenty of emotional fireworks.

A Square Forever Changed

Between Zoe’s shocking imprisonment, Julie’s risky involvement with Joel, and the Truman family’s unfolding chaos, EastEnders is once again proving why it remains one of the most gripping dramas on television. The Square will never be the same after these storylines explode onto the screen, leaving families fractured, loyalties tested, and lives permanently altered.

Zoe Slater’s journey has come full circle—from a troubled young woman burdened by secrets to a broken figure finally facing justice. Her sentencing to life behind bars marks one of the most dramatic exits in EastEnders history, ensuring her legacy in Walford is one of tragedy, turmoil, and unforgettable drama.

EastEnders continues to air Mondays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One, with episodes also available on iPlayer.