[bbfan1991]

EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Gillian Wright is reprising her role as Jean Slater for a short stint.

Jean will be back on screen later this year, when she will be reunited with her daughter Stacey.



Fans know that Stacey is currently awaiting trial in prison after confessing to the murder of Archie Mitchell. However, there are more twists and turns ahead as Lacey Turner - who plays Stacey - is returning to EastEnders on a permanent basis in the summer.

Speaking of the upcoming storyline, Wright commented: "I feel very honoured to be asked to reprise my role as Jean Slater for a short while. The storyline promises to be challenging and exciting!

"I look forward to playing again with old friends and new, and to pick up the special relationship between Stacey and Jean."

EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "We are so pleased to have Gillian back with us to reprise her role as Jean Slater, albeit briefly. Stacey and Jean have such a rich, loving but difficult history.

"There is still so much to plumb between them as we delve deeper into what it means to have bipolar disorder as a mother but also as a daughter. There are some truly heartbreaking scenes ahead for our audience."



Jean was last seen on Albert Square in September 2013, when she left to start a new life with her boyfriend Ollie. She has been part of the show on and off since 2004.

Wright's portrayal of Jean's bipolar disorder has been widely acclaimed over the years, with the storyline being recognised by the charity Mind at the Mental Health Media Awards in 2009.

[bbfan1991]

I'm really pleased about this. I like Jean, she and Stacey work so well together as do Lacey Turner and Gillian Wright, this will be for Stacey's trial I reckon and glad to see the Bipolar issue revisted (I think the Bipolar will help get Stacey off, guessing she will have suffered mentally behind bars).

Gillian Wright is popular with the EE Producers and Jean is popular with the viewers, so I reckon this short stint is to see how viewers will react and if it goes very well they will bring her back full time. If Jean comes back full time, hope Ollie returns with her as I liked them together.

I'm looking forward to Stacey being back at the end of Summer now (confirmed yesterday)!

[reece(:]

I wish Jean was back full time now

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by reece(:

I wish Jean was back full time now

Same, but no doubt it will end up like Jane back temporary at first and then it turns into full time.