EastEnders preview: Kat faces heartbreaking scenes as Zoe is laid to rest tonight

Tonight on EastEnders, the Slater family comes together to say goodbye to Zoe Slater in an emotional funeral episode, but with Kat struggling to cope with her daughter’s death, tensions are set to reach boiling point.

It’s set to be a heartbreaking night in Walford as Zoe Slater is finally laid to rest in EastEnders, with her devastated mother Kat Slater facing the painful reality of life without her eldest child.

Kat, played by Jessie Wallace, has been on a downward spiral since Zoe’s sudden death, turning to alcohol as her grief threatens to consume her. Earlier this month, her behaviour reached a frightening low when she lashed out at her own family, knocking son Tommy (Sonny Kendall) to the floor in a fit of anger.

Realising that his wife desperately needed help, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) tried to intervene. But Kat, overwhelmed by her emotions, declared their marriage over before fleeing to Epping Forest, intending to end her life.

Found shivering and unconscious on the ground, Kat was eventually rescued by Alfie. When she came round, she claimed to have seen Zoe, before revealing that it wasn’t death she had been searching for, but love.

Although Alfie was ready to offer his wife all the love and support she needed, Kat remained uncertain whether it would ever be enough to fill the enormous void left by Zoe.

In a chilling moment, she made one final request of Alfie: she wanted him to help track down the man who had last been with Zoe – and, once they found him, she wanted him dead too.

With Kat’s grief now turning towards revenge, could the search for answers take the Slaters down a dangerous path?

A funeral full of heartbreak and family tension

In yesterday’s episode, Zoe’s daughter Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) tried to prepare an emotional eulogy for her mother’s funeral, but found herself struggling without the support she desperately needed from Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) and Mo Harris (Laila Morse).

Hoping to find comfort elsewhere, Jasmine went to speak to her twin brother Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan), only to be saddened when she discovered he had gone to visit his adoptive mother, Sandra (Dawn Steele).

Back at The Queen Vic, Jean opened the box of funeral order-of-service sheets and was horrified to discover that they had mistakenly been printed with Mo’s name instead of Zoe’s.

With Zoe’s siblings and other familiar faces also missing from the ceremony, the service looks destined to be an emotional affair for all the wrong reasons.

Meanwhile, Kat continued to struggle with her grief. While drinking at the bar alongside Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe), she became embroiled in an altercation with another customer.

Things quickly spiralled out of control when Kat stole the man’s bank card and headed outside. When two police officers approached, one was knocked to the ground, resulting in Kat, Cindy and the customer all being arrested.

Will Kat manage to make it to her daughter’s funeral in time to say goodbye?

She will – but with the iconic Slater sisters conspicuous by their absence, this is unlikely to be the family reunion viewers might have hoped for.

Who is Zoe Slater? Inside the EastEnders icon’s turbulent history

For long-time EastEnders viewers, Zoe’s death marks the end of a character whose life has been shaped by family secrets, heartbreak and some of the soap’s most unforgettable moments.

Played by Michelle Ryan, Zoe first arrived in Walford in 2000 as one of the original Slater sisters. Initially introduced as Kat’s younger sister, she became the centre of a landmark storyline in 2001 when the truth about her parentage was revealed.

In one of the soap’s most famous confrontations, Zoe told Kat that she wasn’t her mother – only to discover that Kat was, in fact, her biological mum. Zoe had been raised to believe that Kat was her sister after Kat gave birth to her as a teenager, following sexual abuse by her uncle Harry Slater.

The revelation devastated both women and set the stage for years of resentment, guilt and complicated mother-daughter dynamics.

Zoe subsequently became embroiled in another major storyline involving Den Watts (Leslie Grantham). After embarking on an affair with the older character, she became pregnant, with the fallout ultimately drawing her into the murder of Den alongside Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf).

She eventually left Walford in 2005, heading to Spain after making peace with Kat and admitting her involvement in Den’s death.

However, her departure did not bring lasting peace between mother and daughter. Over the following two decades, their relationship remained fractured, with Zoe living away from Walford and the pair becoming estranged.

Why was Zoe Slater’s latest exit so controversial?

When Michelle Ryan returned to EastEnders in 2025, two decades after leaving the soap, fans were thrilled to see one of the show’s most recognisable characters back on screen.

Her comeback opened the door to fresh family drama, including the revelation that Zoe had given birth to twins, Jasmine and Josh, during her years away. Believing one of her babies had died, she had spent years without knowing the full truth about her children.

Her return also gave Zoe and Kat another chance to repair their damaged relationship, with the pair finally beginning to confront their painful past.

But that reunion has now ended in tragedy.

Zoe’s death has proved controversial because it permanently closes the door on a character whose history with Kat remains central to the Slater family’s story. Some viewers were disappointed that her comeback, after such a long absence, would culminate in her being killed off rather than leaving the possibility of another return open.

There was also speculation about the circumstances surrounding Ryan’s departure. Reports suggested that disagreements over time away from filming may have contributed to the decision to write Zoe out, but the actress has since addressed the speculation herself.

Speaking to Radio Times in September 2026, Ryan explained that she and her agent had discussed a return lasting around a year from the outset. She said that, although she was sad to learn Zoe would be killed off, she understood the creative decision.

Ryan argued that having Zoe run away from Walford again would have undermined everything she had fought for, particularly her determination to be there for her children.

She also praised executive producer Ben Wadey for his support, rejecting suggestions of a behind-the-scenes falling-out. The actress said she felt the character had reached a natural conclusion and was grateful to have had the opportunity to revisit the role.

Ryan’s comments may offer some reassurance to fans struggling to accept Zoe’s fate, even if the decision itself remains divisive.

What happens next in EastEnders?

With Zoe’s funeral taking place tonight, the focus shifts to the people she has left behind – particularly Kat, whose grief is threatening to consume her.

Her request for Alfie to help track down the man last seen with Zoe suggests that the story is far from over. And with revenge now seemingly on Kat’s mind, the search for answers could lead to further danger for the Slater family.

Jasmine and Josh must also face life without their mother, while Zoe’s death leaves a new generation of Slaters with plenty of unresolved questions about their family history.

One thing is certain: although Zoe may be gone, her legacy will continue to shape Walford for a long time to come.

Tonight’s funeral promises tears, family tension and a poignant farewell to a character who has been at the heart of EastEnders history for more than a quarter of a century.

EastEnders is on BBC One tonight at 7.30pm. You can already stream the episode on iPlayer.

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