Slater family (EastEnders)
Slater family | |||||
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EastEnders family | |||||
![]() The original Slater family as they appeared in 2000 | |||||
First appearance | Episode 1997 4 September 2000 | ||||
Created by | |||||
Introduced by | John Yorke | ||||
Duration | 2000−present | ||||
Spin-offs | Pat and Mo (2004) (2016)Kat & Alfie: Redwater EastEnders: The Podcast (2018) | ||||
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The Slater family are a fictional family from the
Following multiple cast departures, three new cast members —
The family became a focal point across New Year 2016 when Kat discovers that she has a secret son and Charlie is killed-off. The events are followed by a spin-off drama,
Creation
On 30 August 2000, it was announced that a new family, the Slaters, would be introduced to EastEnders to replace the di Marco family, who departed the series during that month.
The Slater family was created by series consultant
Development
Upon the introduction of Charlie's brother
Departures and introductions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Michelle_Ryan_at_the_BAFTA%27s.jpg/200px-Michelle_Ryan_at_the_BAFTA%27s.jpg)
Between July 2004 and May 2006, each original Slater sister departed the series. Lynne became the first original Slater character to leave the series after executive producer
Following the spree of exits in the family, producers created three new additions of the family. Lacey Turner was cast as Stacey Slater, Charlie's "feisty" great-niece, who is billed as "one hell of a bitch".[18] Turner originally auditioned for a part in the Miller family.[19] Stacey's mother, Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), was later introduced as a minor character. Following a short stint in 2005, the character was gradually developed into a main character, a process which Wright found difficult as she struggled "to turn her from someone who was quite an intensive character to someone who could be watched on a regular basis."[20] The topic of bipolar disorder is explored through Jean, who suffers from the condition. Wright spoke to a bipolar sufferer regularly to make her portrayal accurate.[21] Robert Kazinsky was cast as Stacey's brother, Sean Slater, in 2006 and the character first appears in August. A show spokesperson stated that Sean would feature in "some of the biggest storylines of the year".[22][23] It is revealed that Sean feels responsible for the death of his father, Brian, who died of an aneurysm the day after Sean punched him.[24] Kazinsky continued in the role until 2009 after deciding to explore new projects.[25]
Writers paired Stacey with
Cast exits, Kat's return and baby swap
To celebrate the soap's 25th anniversary, producers created a storyline, "
In February 2010, it was announced that Wallace and Richie would return to EastEnders later that year.
Stacey's return and secret family
In July 2012, Morse was told that her contract would not be renewed, however she continued to make occasional appearances in the show.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Lacey_Turner_2016.jpg/200px-Lacey_Turner_2016.jpg)
It was announced on 6 December 2013 that Turner had agreed to reprise her role as Stacey and that the character would return in early 2014. Executive producer
Following her return, Stacey was shown to own a mystery key, starting a long-running storyline for the Slater family.
Kat's secret son and Charlie's death
On 3 April 2015, it was announced that Kat, Alfie and their children would be written out of the series to appear in a spin-off series centering around the characters.[75] The spin-off contains six episodes and was announced to air in 2016.[75] Treadwell-Collins created the drama and looked forward to developing the series. He explained that he wanted to "take two of EastEnders' most beloved and enduring characters out of their comfort zone".[75] The controller of BBC One, Charlotte Moore, said about Kat and Alfie's new story, "Rest assured, their rollercoaster isn't set to end any time soon."[75] Wallace and Richie were delighted to be handed the series, with Wallace excited to "[explore] the next chapter for Kat".[75] It was confirmed that the series would follow a new storyline established in the EastEnders.[75] The storyline was revealed in May when it emerges that Kat unknowingly gave birth to a secret son: the twin brother of Zoe.[76] Later in the month, the family leave the series after winning £1 million on a scratch card.[77][78]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Derek_Martin_2016.jpg/190px-Derek_Martin_2016.jpg)
In October 2015, it was announced that Kat, Alfie and their children would make a short return between December 2015 and January 2016. The guest stint leads towards the family's spin-off series and explores the Kat's secret son story as Kat discovers the truth.[79] Treadwell-Collins teased that the return would "lead to tears, laughter and a mountain of secrets being unearthed for the Slater family".[79] He said that the guest stint would make Kat realise that she needs to visit Ireland.[79] It was later confirmed that Martin would reprise his role as Charlie for a guest appearance during Kat's return. Martin looked forward to filming with the Slater family again and stated that he would return as part of "a big and important storyline".[80] Treadwell-Collins decided to kill off the character of Charlie during his guest stint. He promised Martin "a good send off" for the character, which the actor was pleased with.[81] During the guest stint, Kat is told about her secret son and the tension in the family leads to Charlie's sudden death.[82] Following Charlie's death, Belinda was reintroduced for a guest stint. Carli Norris took over the role and appeared in multiple episodes in January.[83] Morse also departed following the Martin's exit. Following her exit, Morse criticised her departure and confirmed that she had never received an official departure, "leaving party or a present".[84]
It was confirmed in August 2016 that the spin-off series would be titled Redwater,
Merge with the Fowlers
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/James_Bye_2016.jpg/200px-James_Bye_2016.jpg)
Producers paired Stacey with
In January 2016, Martin discovers that he is not Arthur's father after being handed a letter written by Stacey while she recovers from her psychosis.
Following executive producer
Revival of the family
On 20 December 2017, it was confirmed that Wallace, Wright and Morse would reprise their roles as Kat, Jean and Mo respectively.[108] All three actresses expressed their delight at returning to the soap. Yorke also expressed his excitement at the family's revival and said that it was "a real joy to find a way to bring them back together".[108] Upon her return, Wallace opined that Yorke had revisited the family aspect of EastEnders and the Slater family. On Yorke's creative choices with the family, Wallace commented, "There's the hustle and bustle of the Slaters, supporting each other, arguing with each other, laughing, it's just great."[109] Mo returns in March 2018 and announces that Kat is dead, leading the residents of Albert Square to arrange a fundraising night in memory of Kat. Shortly after Mo, Jean returns followed by Kat.[110]
Yorke also confirmed a new Slater family member would be introduced to the series.
Family members
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Rob_Kazinsky_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/175px-Rob_Kazinsky_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg)
- Frederick Slater, married to Mary Slater
- Viv Slater
- Lynne Hobbs, married to Garry Hobbs
- Kat Slater, married to Alfie Moon and Phil Mitchell
- Harry Slater
- Dermott Dolan, son of Kat and Harry, Zoe's twin brother
- Tommy Moon, son of Kat and Michael Moon
- Bert Moon, son of Kat and Alfie
- Ernie Moon, son of Kat and Alfie
- Neville Peacock
- Little Mo Mitchell, married to Trevor Morgan and Billy Mitchell
- Graham Foster
- Harry Slater
- Zoe Slater, daughter of Harry and Kat
- Dermott Dolan, son of Harry and Kat, Zoe's twin brother
- Violet Slater
- Brian Slater, son of Violet and Russell Hale, married to Alison Slater
- Sean Slater, married to Roxy Mitchell
- Eve Unwin
- Lily Slater, daughter of Stacey and Ryan Malloy
- Ricky Branning
- Arthur Fowler, son of Stacey and Kush Kazemi
- Hope Fowler, daughter of Stacey and Martin
- Lily Slater, daughter of Stacey and Ryan Malloy
- Shannon Slater, daughter of Brian and Alison
- Siobhan Slater, daughter of Brian and Alison
- Kyle Slater, son of Brian and Alison
- Unknown, married to Bev Slater
- Hayley Slater
- Cherry Slater, daughter of Hayley and Alfie
- Brian Slater, son of Violet and Russell Hale, married to
Charlie's mother-in-law, Mo Harris, is also considered a member of the family.
Other appearances
The Slaters (Kat, Lynne, Little Mo, Zoe, Charlie, Mo and Belinda) feature in EastEnders' first
In November 2018, it was announced that the show would launch a new audio drama spin-off series, EastEnders: The Podcast, following different characters. The first episode, released on 28 November, is 20-minutes in length and focuses on Kat, Alfie and Hayley and their time in Spain, set in March 2018.[119][120] The podcast special builds towards the 2018 Christmas episodes.[119]
Reception
In December 2003, a BBC spokesperson called the Slaters "arguably the most successful family in soap".[8] On the family, Jess Wilson, writing for OK!, commented, "The Slater sisters were among one of the most popular families to join EastEnders in recent times, and they certainly wasted no time making themselves known on the Square."[121] Her colleague, Laura Donaldson, described the Slater family as "one of the most iconic families" in the soap.[122] She added that the family have been at the centre of "the show's most dramatic and shocking moments".[122] Reflecting on the family in December 2017, Yorke commented, "The Slaters are one of the all-time great families in EastEnders and Albert Square has never felt quite the same since they scattered to different ends of the country, and in some cases beyond."[108]
The Slater family was shortlisted for "Best Family" for the 2022 Inside Soap Awards.[123][124]
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