The drama in EastEnders is set to take a terrifying turn as Zoe Slater finds herself trapped in a chilling new storyline that has fans gripped

with suspense. What started as strange coincidences and unsettling phone calls has spiraled into a full-blown nightmare — and this week, a

major twist reveals that the stalker tormenting Zoe might be someone far closer than she ever imagined.

 

 

As the truth begins to unravel, Walford will be plunged into one of its darkest and most intense storylines of 2025. The EastEnders team has promised “psychological tension, emotional devastation, and a shocking reveal that will leave viewers breathless.”

Zoe’s Nightmare Begins

 

 

When Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) returned to Walford earlier this year, fans were thrilled to see the fiery and fearless Slater back on the Square after years away. Her comeback was meant to be a new beginning — reconnecting with Kat, rebuilding bridges, and starting fresh. But what she didn’t know was that someone had been watching her all along.

 

 

It began innocently enough — a bouquet of flowers left at her door, unsigned cards appearing in her letterbox, and the eerie feeling that she was being followed. At first, Zoe brushed it off as paranoia, especially after her return stirred up old gossip about her past. But things took a chilling turn when she found a photo of herself sleeping taped to her door — with the words “You can’t hide from me.”

 

 

The incident left her terrified, and now, as the stalker’s behavior escalates, Zoe realizes she’s in far greater danger than she ever imagined.

The Slater Family Rallies — But Secrets Divide Them

The Slaters are known for their loyalty, but this week, the family begins to fracture under the pressure of Zoe’s terrifying ordeal. Kat (Jessie Wallace) is determined to protect her daughter at all costs, while Stacey (Lacey Turner) urges her to go to the police. However, Zoe refuses — convinced that this stalker isn’t just some stranger, but someone she once trusted.

In an emotional scene, Zoe confides in Kat:

“It’s not random. They know things about me no one else does. Things I’ve never told anyone.”

The line sends shockwaves through the family, especially when Kat realizes the stalker’s messages reference events from Zoe’s childhood — things only family members or close friends could possibly know.

Could the stalker actually be someone from Zoe’s past… or even someone still living in Walford?

A Disturbing Discovery at the Vic

Midweek, Zoe finds herself at the Queen Vic trying to escape her fear, but fate has other plans. During a quiet evening, she spots a familiar face lurking outside the pub — and her blood runs cold. The mystery figure vanishes into the night before she can confront them, but Zoe later finds a napkin on her table with a single word scrawled across it: “LIAR.”

The next morning, Kat discovers that someone has broken into their home. Nothing is stolen — but Zoe’s old diary is missing. The entries inside contain her deepest secrets, including her struggles after leaving Walford years ago. When she receives a text later that day reading, “I know what you did, Zoe,” she realizes her stalker is now armed with her darkest truths.

Jack and Eve Step In

Detective Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) takes charge of the case after the Slaters finally call the police, while Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) offers her support to Zoe, forming an unexpected alliance. Jack warns Zoe to stay vigilant, hinting that this stalker might be connected to a series of recent harassment cases in East London.

But Eve isn’t convinced it’s random. She suspects the stalker could be targeting Zoe for personal revenge — and her instincts might be right. As she digs deeper, Eve uncovers evidence that links Zoe’s harassment to a mysterious figure using a false identity.

Viewers will see Eve and Jack clash over how to handle the situation, with Eve determined to “get justice Slater-style,” even if it means breaking the law.

The Shocking Twist: The Stalker Revealed

By Thursday’s episode, EastEnders drops its biggest bombshell yet — the stalker is someone Zoe once considered family. In a jaw-dropping twist, it’s revealed that Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey), Zoe’s former flame and the man who played a key role in her early heartbreak, has been secretly following her for months.

Haunted by guilt and obsession, Anthony’s return takes a dark turn as he admits he’s been “protecting” Zoe from people he claims are “out to destroy her.” But when she confronts him, it becomes clear that his protectiveness is really a dangerous fixation.

In an intense confrontation scene, Zoe screams:

“You’re not saving me, Anthony — you’re destroying me!”

The confrontation ends violently, and one insider hints that “someone won’t make it out of that flat alive.” Whether Anthony survives the week remains a mystery, but the aftermath is said to change Zoe forever.

Michelle Ryan Delivers a Powerful Performance

Fans and critics alike are already praising Michelle Ryan’s comeback storyline, with one crew member revealing:

“This is Zoe Slater like you’ve never seen her before — vulnerable, terrified, but still fiercely strong. Michelle’s performance will break hearts.”

Her return has injected new life into EastEnders, blending nostalgia with gritty psychological tension that rivals the show’s best storylines of the past decade.

Fan Reactions Explode Online

The online EastEnders community is already buzzing with theories and emotions. One fan tweeted:

“The Zoe Slater stalker storyline is pure gold — creepy, emotional, and unpredictable!”

Another added:

“If Anthony really is the stalker, that’s the darkest twist EastEnders has done in years.”

Producers are keeping tight-lipped about what happens next, but teasers hint that Zoe’s ordeal will have far-reaching consequences for the entire Slater clan — especially when Kat learns the full extent of Anthony’s obsession.

What’s Next for Zoe and the Slaters

As November continues, Zoe’s trauma will spark a major family reckoning, leading to shocking decisions that could split the Slaters apart. Meanwhile, another mysterious figure — seen watching from the shadows at the end of Thursday’s episode — suggests the story isn’t over yet.

Executive producer Chris Clenshaw teased:

“Zoe’s stalker storyline is just the beginning. What follows will tear open old wounds and bring back ghosts from the past — literally and emotionally.”