for nearly eight and a half years at the time of her departure. She described her time on the show as "a privilege and a pleasure", before thanking cast, crew and the "wonderful fans". Kent commented that he "missed" Sarker on-set. Hossington said Zoe's departure was "like losing a member of your family" and "it really, really hits [the team] and we get very emotional about it." She added that Sarker continuing to appear in the series after eight years was "a huge commitment" and "a testament to how special the show is and how passionate [she is] about it". Producer Lucy Raffety confirmed in September 2017 that Sarker had reprised her role as Zoe and the character would return for one episode in early 2018. Zoe's return is billed as "sensational". Sarker revealed that, following her decision to leave the show, Jamie Davis who plays Max asked her to promise she would return when he decided to depart, a promise she honoured by appearing in the episode broadcast on 13 January 2018. Storylines Zoe joins the emergency department after being appointed by Harry Harper (Simon MacCorkindale) as a new consultant. Not long after her arrival, Zoe had an affair with Orthopedic Consultant Sean Anderson (Richard Dillane), unaware he is the husband of her colleague and friend, staff nurse Jessica Harrison (Gillian Kearney). In series 22 episode 29, Zoe goes head to head with Maggie Coldwell (Susan Cookson) for Harry's position, following his departure and successfully wins the post. When Maggie later appears at a tribunal for negligence, the hospital manager Marilyn Fox (Caroline Langrishe) asks Zoe to lie in court, condemning Maggie. Marilyn blackmails Zoe, threatening to reveal her affair with Sean to Jessica. Zoe disregards her threat, clears Maggie's name and admits her affair to everyone. Zoe then bids farewell to Maggie, who has decided to leave Holby to travel abroad. Zoe is left upset when she discovers she cannot naturally conceive. Zoe later becomes close to Abby Evans (Amy Manson), a patient she has treated who is being abused by her husband and his father. After Abby manages to escape from them with her daughter, Sharice (Adrianna Bertola), Zoe lets them stay with her. Abby is extremely kind to Zoe and thankfully that she let them stay. When Abby and her husband are both killed in a fight, Zoe takes in Sharice permanently and begins fostering her.