Winter is coming… to EastEnders. Which Game of Thrones legend is trading Westeros for Walford?
When you think about it, Albert Square is a lot line George R.R Martins’s famously fantasy world. There’s murder, betrayal, bed-hopping galore, and a lot of exaggerated cockney accents.
So surely it was only a matter of time before a star from the hit HBO series swapped Queen Cersei for the Queen Vic. It’s only too easy to imagine Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) going toe-to-toe with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), or Max Branning (Jake Wood) working his questionable magic on Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke).
Get ready, because one particular Game of Thrones Star is set to make an appearance on the Square, and they twist is, it’s not for the first time.
This particular actor is returning to the BBC soap after a twenty four year absence from our screens. And their story is connected to Albert Square’s answer to House Stark, the Slater Family.
Specifically, Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), who has sadly already been confirmed death since the cast were caught filming her funeral.
The exact circumstances in which Zoe leaves Walford in a box remain a mystery. What is known is that it has something to do with our friend from Westeros… Actor Tony Way.
Tony is best known for playing Ser Dontas Hollard in Game of Thrones, the Fool who attempted to rescue Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) from the tyrannical clutches of King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson)… only to end up murdered for his trouble.
Let’s hope Tony has better luck in Enders! He previously featured on the BBC soap in 2004 as a character called Nick, but seems to be re-debuting in a brand new role altogether during his short stint in Albert Square.
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Tony will be part of Zoe Slater’s exit storyline, when Michelle Ryan briefly reprises her role for the last time after a sudden temporary exit earlier this year.
More recently, Tony has starred in Ricky Gervais’ Cats and has had roles in Ater Life, Edge of Tomorrow and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
It is not yet known what role he will play in Zoe’s death – but the scenes are expected to air in just a few weeks.
Michelle Ryan’s exit was confirmed earlier this year when it was revealed that she had been axed from the show after just 12 months in the role.
She had previously been missing for 20 years with her character being one of EastEnders most popular in its heyday.
Mystery has surrounded the reasons for Michelle’s exit with her character Zoe currently off-screen.
She is expected to briefly reprise the role for her final handful of episodes which will feature her death. Rumours are a’buzzing, but the reviews for Zoe’s return are already in -and they’re not great.
The Sun on Sunday recently confirmed that the Walford Icon will be found dead in bed after ignoring a bump to her head earlier in the week.
A bump on the head. Not exactly the Red Wedding.
The 42-year-old has already filmed her final scenes, which have been described as “dull”. She is found apparently found dead in bed the next day by her mum Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace)
A source allegedly told the Sun on Sunday: “It looks as if her death is going to be as flat and as lacklustre as her comeback.
“Many will feel her death is rushed and dull. And in a show known for its sensational exits, Zoe’s will go down as one of the blandest.”
Oof. The night is dark and full and terrors.
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