In true EastEnders fashion, what was thought to be a tragic farewell turned into a jaw-dropping comeback. Fans were left reeling after Zack Hudson (James Farrar) was presumed dead when the car he was in plunged off a bridge and disappeared into the river’s dark depths. The news devastated those closest to him—and rocked the entire Square. But in a dramatic twist worthy of the soap’s most iconic moments, Zack returned—alive, drenched, and determined to fight for his son.

Let’s rewind. Zack, haunted by his past affair with Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) and the shocking revelation that her son Barney (Lewis Bridgeman) is actually his biological child, made a bold decision to leave Walford behind. He feared what Nicola, a powerful and dangerous force within the Mitchell family, could do to him and those he loved. Zack’s goal? To protect Barney, even if it meant running.

Barney’s older brother Harry (Elijah Holloway), initially sympathetic to Zack’s situation, became torn between loyalty to his family and his growing concern for his little brother. At first, it seemed like Harry would support Zack’s plan. But the fear of losing Barney was too strong. In a moment of desperation, Harry violently turned on Zack, attacking him and locking him in the boot of a car.

Enter Teddy (Roland Manookian), who played peacemaker in a tense standoff. Chasing after Harry, he finally convinced his younger brother to let Zack go. Just when things looked like they might settle, a moment of misjudgment turned the situation deadly. As Zack regained consciousness, he mistook Teddy for a threat and grabbed the steering wheel—sending the car hurtling into the river.

Authorities and family members declared Zack dead after the crash, but soap fans know that no body means no certainty. Suspicion lingered. And sure enough, on Thursday’s (May 29) episode—available early on iPlayer—the truth was revealed.

Zack wasn’t dead. In a powerful moment, as Barney struggled to process the emotional fallout of discovering his true parentage, Zack reappeared—soaking wet, but very much alive. His entrance stunned everyone, particularly Barney, who had already begun seeking comfort from Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

Zack’s return wasn’t just a miracle—it reignited the emotional battle for Barney’s future. Determined to keep the boy safe, Zack begged him to come away and leave Nicola behind. But the young man, still confused and overwhelmed, fled to the Square instead, searching for answers. There, Nicola confronted him, asking what he wanted. In a heartbreaking twist, Barney responded that he just wanted things to go back to normal.

Moments later, he returned to No. 1 with Nicola, Teddy, and Harry, choosing comfort in familiarity over the unknown life Zack was offering. The family sat down to play a board game together, leaving Zack on the outside—frustrated, heartbroken, and powerless.

Zack’s emotional arc is far from over. While he’s physically survived the crash, emotionally he’s battling a new kind of drowning—rejection from the son he just found, and the chilling realization that Nicola’s grip on the boys may be stronger than he anticipated. Barney’s choice to stay with the Mitchells leaves open a haunting question: will Zack be forced to walk away, or is he ready to keep fighting for a place in his son’s life?

As the community comes to terms with Zack’s miraculous survival, the battle lines are being drawn. Nicola, fiercely protective and possibly manipulative, won’t relinquish her control easily. Teddy, torn between loyalty to his siblings and guilt over his role in the crash, could find himself pulled in both directions. And Harry, once Zack’s unexpected captor, may have to face the consequences of his actions.

This storyline taps into the very heart of EastEnders: family secrets, moral ambiguity, and emotional confrontations. At its center is Zack, a man who thought he was doing the right thing—only to discover that doing right doesn’t always bring the outcome you hope for.

For now, one thing is clear: Zack Hudson is alive. But his fight for family is just beginning.