Get ready, EastEnders fans — because the BBC is taking us on an emotional trip down memory lane that promises to be one of the most

powerful episodes in years. In a special flashback episode, viewers will finally see the origins of one of Walford’s most iconic families — the

Slaters — in their early years. The emotional hour will reveal the struggles, heartbreaks, and defining moments that made Kat, Little Mo, Lynne, Zoe, and their mother, Viv, the fierce and complicated women they are today.

 

 

But the question everyone’s been asking is: who will play the young Slaters? BBC has finally revealed the new cast — and fans are already blown away by how perfectly the younger versions resemble their adult counterparts.

A Trip Back to the Early Days of Albert Square

The upcoming flashback episode — airing next week — will transport viewers to 1998, years before Kat’s fiery arrival in Walford. At the time, the Slater family were living in a cramped East End flat, struggling to make ends meet and battling their inner demons.

Producers describe the episode as “a raw, emotional deep dive into the family that shaped the heart of EastEnders.” Expect laughter, heartbreak, and shocking revelations about the family’s past that have never been shown before.

Executive producer Chris Clenshaw teased:

“The Slaters have always been the soul of Albert Square. This flashback explores where their strength — and their pain — truly began.”

Meet the Young Cast Bringing the Slaters to Life
Young Kat Slater – Played by Frankie Harper

Leading the cast is newcomer Frankie Harper, taking on the monumental role of Young Kat Slater — the spirited, rebellious heart of the family. Producers say Frankie perfectly channels Jessie Wallace’s iconic energy: fiery, emotional, and full of hidden vulnerability.

Frankie shared in an interview:

“It’s such an honor to play young Kat. Everyone knows her as this tough, confident woman, but in this episode, you’ll see how she learned to be that way — how much she had to protect her sisters, even when she was still a kid herself.”

Fans who’ve seen early photos have praised her uncanny resemblance to a young Jessie Wallace, complete with Kat’s trademark attitude and those unforgettable leopard-print outfits.

Young Little Mo – Played by Daisy Poppy Quinn

Sweet, sensitive Little Mo will be portrayed by Daisy Poppy Quinn, best known for her role in Call the Midwife. Daisy’s performance is said to be one of the episode’s emotional highlights, showing a Little Mo who’s constantly caught between loyalty and fear.

The flashback will show how Little Mo’s kind heart often made her the target of cruelty — both at school and at home. One heartbreaking scene reportedly sees her comforting Kat after an explosive argument with their father, Charlie, whispering, “We’ll be okay, Kat. We always are.”

Young Lynne Slater – Played by Millie Gibson

Yes, Doctor Who star Millie Gibson (Ruby Sunday) makes a surprise appearance as Lynne Slater, the eldest sister who tried to hold the family together. Viewers will see a softer, more hopeful side of Lynne before adulthood turned her world upside down.

Millie told Digital Spy:

“Lynne’s story is really about sacrifice. She had dreams, but she gave them up to look after her family. Playing that role — the quiet strength behind the chaos — was incredibly moving.”

Young Zoe Slater – Played by Ava Porter

Playing Young Zoe, the youngest of the sisters, is Ava Porter, a rising star making her TV debut. Zoe’s childhood innocence contrasts beautifully with the turmoil around her. But viewers who know the Slater family history will recognize subtle hints of the trauma that would later define Zoe’s adult storyline.

The flashback will include one particularly emotional moment where Kat promises Zoe:

“I’ll always look after you, no matter what happens. You’re my girl.”

Those words take on a haunting double meaning — reminding fans of the infamous “You ain’t my sister, you’re my daughter!” revelation years later.