Rob Kazinsky returns to EastEnders full-time twenty years after his first appearance.
The 42-year-old actor first played Sean Slater in August 2006, and while he left in early 2009, he would return to Albert Square for guest appearances on the BBC soap in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Now the BBC has confirmed that he will return as a full-time cast member, with Sean returning ‘for his family’.
The broadcaster teased: ‘Sean Slater, brother of Stacey and son of Jean, has a checkered history of drama on the Square.
‘He was once married to Roxy Mitchell, but their marriage ended in disaster when it was revealed on Christmas Day in 2008 that Jack Branning was the biological father of their baby (Amy Mitchell).
‘Sean has crossed paths with many people in Walford, both good and bad, and his actions have led to the destruction of more than one family relationship on the square.
Rob Kazinsky returns to EastEnders full-time 20 years after his first appearance
The actor first played Sean Slater in August 2006, and although he left in early 2009, he would reappear for guest appearances on the BBC soap in 2019, 2021 and 2022 (seen with co-stars Lacey Turner and Gillian Wright)
“Sean returns later this year, and if his previous stints are anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time before Sean gets embroiled in some drama…”
Rob noted that he has always been open to returning to play Sean, and that he is excited to be “home” again.
He said: ‘I left EastEnders in 2008 as a 23-year-old boy and was fortunate enough to spend the next 19 years of my life working all over the world, always standing up for EastEnders and saying that one day I wanted to walk in Sean’s shoes again, but this time as a man to see who Sean the man could be.
“I wanted to do it for Sean, I wanted to do it for the fans who have supported me in every role since I left The Square, but most of all I wanted to do it for myself.
“I’m home and I can’t wait to bring a new level of genuine chaos to Albert Square, as only Sean Slater can.”
EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey has promised plenty of ‘drama’ when Sean returns to Albert Square.
He added: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Rob Kazinsky back to EastEnders, where he will reprise the role of Sean Slater later this year.
“Sean Slater was a huge part of the Slater family and as viewers already know, where Sean goes, the drama isn’t far behind.”
Now the BBC has confirmed he will return as a full-time cast member, with Sean returning ‘for his family’
In January, Lacey reunited with her EastEnders brother Rob as she continued her extended break from the soap
In January, Lacey Turner reunited with her EastEnders brother Rob as she continued her extended break from the soap.
Lacey, who plays fan-favorite character Stacey Slater in the Walford-based BBC soap, was last seen on screen in October last year.
The actress, 38, has played Stacey on and off since 2004 and made the decision to leave the show to focus on her family and three young children.
As EastEnders fans eagerly await her return, Lacey posed with actor Rob Kazinsky, who is best known for playing her brother Sean in the show.
Rob captioned the sweet reunion photo, “Love from Brazil (seriously, who’s idea was that?) Like time never passes with the best of the best. @laceyturner.’
Sean made his first appearance in Albert Square in 2006 and last returned briefly in 2022.
Fans flooded the actor’s post with comments, with one writing: ‘I love this. One of my favorite Eastenders scenes ever was Stacey making Sean a cup of tea in the kitchen when Sean first arrived. The whole scene was [clap emoji]’;
‘Great, please come back to EastEnders, we need Sean back’;
‘Sweet! I hope we see you both again in the (not too distant) future, even if it’s just for an episode or so. Sean Slater is still one of my TV crushes’;
‘I’d love to see you and Lacey in EastEnders’; ‘OMG I love this!!!! My two absolute favorite Slaters. I love this reunion.”
Lacey is mum to daughter Dusty Violet, six, and son Trilby Fox, four, and welcomed her youngest child Gipsy Olive in January last year.
