Robert Kazinsky is returning "home" to EastEnders to reprise his role as Sean Slater, 17 years after leaving the BBC soap.
The actor made his debut in Walford in 2006 as a central member of the formidable Slater family, alongside mother Jean (Gillian Wright) and sister Stacey (Lacey Turner).
His character exited Albert Square on New Year’s Day 2009 following a dramatic showdown with Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), after learning the daughter he believed was his had been fathered by another man.
Since departing, Kazinsky has made several surprise appearances, including a brief 2019 return to support Jean through her cancer diagnosis while addressing his own mental health struggles.
The troubled character has also appeared occasionally via video call to his family.
Sean Slater will return to the soap later this year, moving back to Albert Square for reasons that "are set to become clear".
Kazinsky said: "I left EastEnders in 2008 as a 23-year-old boy and was lucky to spend the next 19 years of my life working around the world, always championing EastEnders and stating the fact that one day I wanted to walk in Sean’s shoes again – but this time as a man, to see who Sean the man might also be.
"I wanted to do it for Sean, I wanted to do it for the fans that have supported me in every role since I left the Square but, mostly, I wanted to do it for me.
"I’m home, and I can’t wait to bring a new level of heartfelt chaos to Albert Square in the way only Sean Slater can."
Ben Wadey, executive producer, added: "I’m delighted to welcome Rob Kazinsky back to EastEnders as he reprises the role of Sean Slater later this year.
"Sean Slater was a big part of the Slater family and as viewers will already know, where Sean goes, drama is not far behind."
Since leaving EastEnders, Kazinsky has forged a successful acting career with roles in films such as Pacific Rim, Warcraft, Captain Marvel and Star Trek: Section 31.
He has also featured in television series including True Blood, Second Chance and Law & Order: Los Angeles.
An ex-soldier, his character quickly became a womaniser in Walford, known for volatile romances with Roxy Mitchell, Tanya Branning and Ruby Allen.
Sean also engaged in feuds with Max Branning (Jake Wood), Johnny Allen (Billy Murray) and Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) – leaving chaos in his wake.
He married Roxy in 2008, but later discovered that Amy, the daughter he thought was his, was fathered by Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), sparking a spiral that led to his exit.
EastEnders is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
