See you Slater

Surprise! EastEnders favourite Jean Slater, will be coming back to the Square for a short stint. 

Jean, played by Gillian Wright, last appeared on the show in September 2013, when she left Walford to start a new life with her boyfriend Ollie. 

Jean is, of course, Stacey’s mother. Stacey is currently awaiting trial for the murder of Archie Mitchell. Gillian’s reappearance will tie in with Lacey Turner’s permanent return to EastEnders later on this year. The two were last seen on screen together on Christmas Day, 2010.

“I feel very honoured to be asked to reprise my role as Jean Slater, for a short while," Gillian revealed. "The storyline promises to be challenging and exciting! I look forward to playing again with old friends and new and to pick up the special relationship between Stacey and Jean."

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Executive Producer added: “We are so pleased to have Gillian back with us to reprise her role as Jean Slater, albeit briefly. Stacey and Jean have such a rich, loving but difficult history. There is still so much to plumb between them as we delve deeper into what it means to have bi-polar disorder as a mother but also as a daughter. There are some truly heartbreaking scenes ahead for our audience”.

Gillian’s portrayal of Jean’s struggle with bi-polar disorder was widely acclaimed, with the storyline winning a Mental Health Media Awards in 2006. Jean’s other notable storylines include Michael manipulating her out of her lottery winnings and her estranged relationship with Sean, with the character also known for her friendship with Shirley and her signature dish, the sausage surprise.