Rob Kazinsky says "superstar" Kate Oates played a big part in getting him back to ‘EastEnders’.
It has been announced that the 35-year-old actor is reprising his role as Sean Slater in the BBC One soap a decade on from his departure from the show in 2009 for a short but exciting stint in Albert Square.
Rob admits new ‘EastEnders’ Senior Executive Producer Kate – who jumped ship to the BBC after being the Series Producer of rival ITV soap opera ‘Coronation Street’ – played a huge part in convincing him to make a comeback as Sean.
He posted on his Twitter account: "Happy to be back, I have a short break between projects and Kate Oates is a superstar. It’s something I always wanted to do to say thank you to Sean and the show, and we have worked to fit it in in the most explosive way. I think you’ll be… entertained."
Although the details of Sean’s comeback storyline are as yet unknown, the former soldier will be reunited with his sister Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner) and mother Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), and Kate has previously teased a major upcoming storyline for Jean.
During his first run on ‘EastEnders’, Rob – who made his debut as Sean in 2006 – was involved in a number of explosive storylines, including dating Ruby Allen to extort her dad Johnny Allen’s money and conspiring with Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) to kill her husband Max.
Sean will be reunited with Ruby in Walford as actress Louisa Lytton made her return as the character last year.
After leaving the show, Rob began a Hollywood career and has starred in films such as ‘Pacific Rim’, ‘Hot Pursuit’, and ‘Warcraft’ and he will be seen later this year in Marvel Cinematic Universe movie ‘Captain Marvel’.
Despite his other successes, Rob has also considered his portrayal of Rob to be some of his best work.
He said: "Throughout my career I have always felt that my best work was on ‘EastEnders’ as Sean Slater, that there was something there in him that I understood completely, something traumatic, something that we never really got to show the viewers. I have unfinished business in Albert Square and am thrilled to be returning to what I still consider to be my home, however, briefly. I can’t wait to see my Slaters again and see what’s in store for Sean as he brings an evolved animal to Albert Square."