Rob Kazinsky Opens Up About Tumultuous Early EastEnders Experience
In a candid interview for Metro's Beyond the Bubble series, actor Rob Kazinsky has reflected on his challenging introduction to fame during his first stint on EastEnders as Sean Slater. Now 42, Kazinsky recalls joining the iconic BBC soap at just 22 years old, describing himself as "literally a child" thrust into an adult world without adequate preparation.
The Overwhelming Pressure of Sudden Fame
Kazinsky detailed how his youthful appearance belied his actual maturity level when he first joined the cast. "I was a year older than Ellie Dadd who plays Amy Mitchell is now," he revealed, highlighting how unprepared he was for the intense public scrutiny that followed. The actor described facing physical confrontations in public, with strangers attempting to start fights or throw drinks at him, simply because they recognized his character from television.
"It was the hardest thing that you could possibly understand," Kazinsky shared, echoing similar sentiments expressed by former co-star Jack Ryder about the lack of protection for young actors. "Back then it was a different beast," he said of EastEnders, which regularly attracted viewing figures of up to 15 million during his initial tenure.
Personal Growth and Physical Transformation
Over the past two decades, Kazinsky has undergone significant personal and physical changes. "I've certainly doubled in size," he noted, explaining how he gained 60-70 pounds of muscle for film roles before losing weight again. The actor also mentioned undergoing two hair transplants, joking that "the hairline has definitely changed, the waistline has changed even more."
Beyond physical transformations, Kazinsky emphasized his personal development: "Over the last 20 years I hope I've changed a lot for the better. I hope I've grown a lot wiser." He acknowledged the difficult period that led to his initial departure from the show, citing betrayal by friends and colleagues as contributing factors to what he described as "a rough time."
Enduring Love for EastEnders and Future Return Hopes
Despite the challenges of his early experience, Kazinsky maintains deep affection for the soap that launched his career. "I love the show. I adore the show," he enthused. "It's the most fun I ever had as an actor." He praised the unique demands of soap acting, noting that "so many of the A-listers I've worked with, the best actors in the world, couldn't do soap."
The actor remains connected to his EastEnders family, particularly Lacey Turner who plays his on-screen sister Stacey Slater. "Lacey feels like family – every time I see Lacey it's like no time has passed," he shared.
Looking to the future, Kazinsky expressed interest in returning to Albert Square for another substantial storyline. "I would like to go back and do a nice stint on EastEnders at some point," he confirmed. "Before I'm too old and before everybody forgets who he is, I feel Sean deserves another round, he deserves more."
Current Projects and Personal Aspirations
Beyond his soap connections, Kazinsky revealed upcoming projects including the second season of Maigret and a film called Sirius featuring Mads Mikkelsen. Personally, the actor who recently returned to England from Los Angeles expressed hope to "find a partner and settle down at last" in the coming years.
Reflecting on his career trajectory since those difficult early days, Kazinsky concluded: "I've had a great career and I've worked with really great people on really great projects and I've loved doing it. But I don't think I've ever been as good as I was as Sean." His openness to revisiting the character suggests fans may yet see more of Sean Slater's turbulent journey in Walford.
