Latest news with #KaceyAinsworth
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Grantchester star shares filming update as series comes to an end
The beloved series is coming to an end with an eleventh and final season. Kacey Ainsworth discusses writing an episode of Grantchester Grantchester star Kacey Ainsworth has shared an emotional update as filming for the final series has come to an end. Fans were left sobbing when ITV confirmed earlier this year that the beloved show would be returning for a final eleventh series. The crime drama first aired in 2014, with a tenth season yet to air, though it'll be the penultimate. Sharing a look at filming with behind-the-scenes selfies with her co-stars and snaps of scripts, Cathy Keating actress Kacey wrote on Instagram: 'On a hot hot day last week we all came together for our final readthru. 'What a joy it is, it has been for the past ELEVEN! Series. 'Thank you @emlyjkl @daisycoupow and everyone @kudostv past and present. 'Cathy has evolved in all ways thank you all for the opportunists you have given me on screen and on the page and to @masterpiecepbs for our international success.' 'I am so sad to see the end of Grantchester. I love it so much. Thank you to everyone involved in such a wonderful programme,' one fan wrote. Another said: 'I'm so grateful for the longevity of the series. I discovered it during Covid and it's become one of my favorite shows ever. I've even begun reading the books because of it and I'd love to visit the real Grantchester one day. I'll have to cherish all the remaining episodes that much more. Thank you for all your wonderful work on the show!' A third added: 'I have been watching and loving this show from the very first episode!! Cathy's evolution has been the best throughout the series and you have played her to perfection!! So sad for us viewers but so happy for you and the entire cast and what your futures hold!' Former EastEnders actress Kacey has starred as Cathy from Grantchester's conception, alongside the likes of James Norton, Robson Greene, and Rishi Nair, who began starring in the series from season nine. Fans were left sobbing at the news Grantchester was coming to an end, though ITV promised that Geordie (Robson) and Alphy (Rishi) would be 'going out with a bang'. Daisy Coulam, writer, series creator and executive producer, said: 'At its heart, Grantchester is a show about the power of friendship and love. We've been so lucky over the last 11 series to experience that on and off screen. 'For over a decade now - cast and crew (many who've been there since the beginning) have met each Summer to film. And it's been an absolute joy. 'Thank you to James Runcie for entrusting us with his characters. Thank you to the lovely people of real Grantchester. Thank you to everyone who's been a part of the show in any way - big or small. I'll miss you terribly.'
BreakingNews.ie
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
‘I'm so excited to be back': Michelle Ryan to return to EastEnders as Zoe Slater
Actress Michelle Ryan is to return to EastEnders as Zoe Slater after appearing in Monday's episode of the BBC soap. The 41-year-old will return to the role for the first time in 20 years, with her character having been involved in some of the show's best-known storylines, including one which saw her tell her mother Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) 'you ain't my mother', before finding out she was. Advertisement Speaking about her return, Ryan said: 'It all happened at the right time. 'I'd already been thinking about a return because I'd met up with Kacey Ainsworth and Kim Medcalf and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and I'd also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character. 'It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and I'm so excited to be back. 'When Ben (Wadey, EastEnders executive producer) pitched me the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.' Advertisement Wadey added of his decision to bring Zoe back: 'Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wishlist of returnees as we haven't seen her on screen for 20 years. 'Her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines. 'I was absolutely delighted when Michelle agreed to return, and I'm thrilled to welcome her back to Walford. 'Whilst I can't say too much at this stage, Zoe's return is just one of the many exciting storylines we have planned.' Advertisement Producers say Zoe will return with 20 years of 'deep-rooted resentment' towards her mother, fractured family relationships, and siblings she has never met, adding that the character 'will be in for one hell of a ride' when she returns. Michelle Ryan on the set of EastEnders (BBC EastEnders/PA) On her character's return storylines, Ryan said: 'I can't say too much as there is a lot of drama to come, but Zoe is a mess. 'She's not the girl that left Walford 20 years ago, and she's been really struggling on her own. She has her defences up, but this week you will see that she needs help, but whether she is willing to accept it is another story.' Zoe had countless failed love interests, including one with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman), which saw Zoe embroiled in the murder of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) with accomplices Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) and Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), after her affair with Den and subsequent pregnancy. Advertisement The character left Albert Square in 2005, when she reconciled with Kat after admitting the truth about Den's murder, but during her time away from Walford, Zoe and Kat's relationship broke down once again and the pair have been estranged ever since. Speaking about how it felt to return to the set, Ryan added: 'It feels like coming home. After doing my first few scenes, it was like I'd never been away.' Zoe made her first appearance in the soap in September 2000 along with the rest of the Slater family, and last appeared on screen in June 2005, when she left Walford for Spain after revealing her part in Den's murder to mum, Kat. She will also appear in Tuesday and Wednesday's episodes before making a full return in the summer. Advertisement
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS EastEnders icon Zoe Slater RETURNS to the soap as Michelle Ryan reprises her role after 20 years (and she's back for good!)
EastEnders icon Zoe Slater has made a bombshell return to the BBC soap after 20 years away. The actress, best known for her iconic 'You ain't my muvva!' moment, made her first appearance in Monday's episode, after her return was kept under wraps. Viewers will see Zoe in two further episodes this week but she will be on board full-time this summer. Speaking on her return to the BBC soap, Michelle said: 'It feels like coming home. 'After doing my first few scenes, it was like I'd never been away. It all happened at the right time. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I'd already been thinking about a return because I'd met up with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and I'd also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character. 'It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and I'm so excited to be back. 'When I was pitched the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.' EastEnders new boss, Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as, although we haven't seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.' The mother-daughter spectacle with Kat in 2001 cemented Zoe as one of the BBC soap's most iconic characters.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
New EastEnders bombshell as ex-star Michelle Ryan returns as Zoe Slater – and she's back FOR GOOD after 20 years
EASTENDERS legend Michelle Ryan has returned to the soap after 20 years away - and is back for good. As gorgeous Zoe Slater, the actress is best known for her explosive 'You ain't my mother!' showdown with Kat Slater, now Moon. 4 4 She's now back on Albert Square as Kat marries Alfie for the third time and prepares to take over the Queen Victoria pub. Viewers will see Zoe in two further episodes this week but she will be on board full-time this summer. Speaking on her return to the BBC soap, Michelle said: 'It feels like coming home. 'After doing my first few scenes, it was like I'd never been away. 'It all happened at the right time. ' I'd already been thinking about a return because I'd met up with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and I'd also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character. 'It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and I'm so excited to be back. 'When I was pitched the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.' EastEnders new boss, Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as, although we haven't seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.' The mother-daughter spectacle with Kat in 2001 cemented Zoe as one of the BBC soap's most iconic characters. EastEnders' Kat Slater calls her estranged daughter Zoe Slater who left 13 years ago The scene revealed that Zoe, the youngest of the all-female Slater clan, was in fact Kat's daughter but had been brought up by Charlie and Viv Slater as her own. In the storyline, Zoe is fed up of being bossed around by Kat and yells: 'You can't tell me what to do - you ain't my mother,' to which Kat explodes: 'Yes I am!' Zoe also had a string of countless failed love interests, including a disastrous relationship with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman). The doomed affair - which resulted in a pregnancy - saw Zoe embroiled in the murder of Den Watts with accomplices Chrissie Watts and Sam Mitchell. Zoe left Albert Square in 2005 but during her time away, Zoe and Kat's relationship was said to have broken down once again and the pair have been estranged ever since. Michelle added: 'I can't say too much as there is a lot of drama to come, but Zoe is a mess. 'She's not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago, and she's been really struggling on her own. 'She has her defences up, but this week you will see that she needs help, but whether she is willing to accept it is another story.' Michelle made her debut in 2000 alongside Jessie Wallace as Kat, Kasey Ainsworth as Little Mo and Elaine Lordan as Lynne. She quit the show in 2005 in a bid to crack Hollywood and landed the lead role in a big-budget remake of The Bionic Woman - but it failed to impress and was axed after just one season. In 2008 she ruled out a return to the soap. She said: 'I just got quite bored in the end, to be honest. 'Doing the same thing day in, day out. 'It's just so boring. 'I like to jump from different things.' She added: 'Money doesn't drive me. 'You couldn't get me back.' However last year she said 'never say never' when asked about a potential return. 4
