Turner went on maternity leave in August 2019 and prior to her exit, Stacey became involved in a custody battle with Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami) and a feud with her cousin Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).

After attacking Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Stacey flees the square and is off-screen for thirteen months, making a cameo appearance on 28 October 2019 in between before fully returning in September 2020.

On Christmas Day 2023, Stacey helps to cover up the murder of Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) during "The Six" storyline, and later has an affair with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen).

While on her leave, she returned for the show's 40th anniversary live episode in which she reconciled with Martin only for him to die from crush injuries sustained after an explosion caused a beam to fall on him in the Queen Vic.

The character has proven popular with fans and critics alike, and Turner has won over thirty awards for her portrayal, the most for any actor or soap in the UK.

Prior to her arrival, Stacey had a troubled childhood, due to her mother Jean (Gillian Wright) suffering from bipolar disorder, and the death of her father, Brian, when she was 11.

Stacey, age 15,[1][2] follows her family to Walford in November 2004, to live with her great-uncle Charlie Slater (Derek Martin) and adoptive grandmother Mo Harris (Laila Morse), after being thrown out by her mother, Jean.

Stacey returns to Walford, moving in with Kat and Alfie and beginning work at Dean Wicks' (Matt Di Angelo) salon.

Martin Fowler (James Bye) becomes her flatmate and they are set up by Stacey's friend Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty); they date briefly before she realises she has feelings for Kush, despite his engagement to Shabnam.

When Kush is diagnosed with the hereditary Brugada syndrome, Stacey becomes worried for Arthur; they learn he is at high risk of having it too but cannot be tested or operated on due to his age.

When her probation officer visits, Stacey explains to Jean that she married a woman, Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), to secure her release from prison, but it is not a romantic relationship.

They hide in The Queen Vic, accompanied by Denise, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), Linda Carter, and Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth).

[8] Commenting on her role, Turner said "I was speechless when I found out that I had been cast as Stacey Slater especially as I knew I would be working with Jessie Wallace who is my favourite actress.

"[7] EastEnders scriptwriter Tony Jordan revealed that he created the character with Turner in mind: "I first met Lacey when she came to a casting workshop for the Miller family ... She was leaning against a wall and looked just like Kat Slater, played by Wallace.

"[8] Over the course of the character's narrative, it was revealed that one of the reasons for Stacey's tough and malicious exterior was her troubled family life — specifically the death of her father, disappearance of her brother, and her mother's bipolar disorder.

Addressed in a storyline that aired in December 2005, Stacey returned to live with her "disturbed" mother Jean, played by Gillian Wright, during one of her breakdowns.

After losing her friend Danielle Jones, Stacey began acting strangely in May 2009, and the character has to come to terms with the prospect that, like her mother, she also suffers from bipolar disorder.

"[15] Mind's Chief Executive, Paul Farmer, commented on the storyline, "It's fantastic that a high-profile soap like EastEnders has been prepared to tackle the challenge of exploring a mental health issue through the experience of Stacey — who is such a well-loved and popular character.

The degree of research and consultancy they have undertaken to ensure an accurate and honest portrayal of how mental distress affects not only the individual but also family and friends is to be commended.

I'm so lucky to have had such challenging storylines, from the affair with Max and being diagnosed with bipolar to the complete shock of being revealed as Archie's killer during the live 25th Anniversary episode.

"[25] Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "Stacey is one of EastEnders best-loved characters, played by one of television's finest actors, and I am tremendously excited that Lacey has decided to return home to Walford.

There is a very high risk that women with bipolar will become ill when they have a child and 20%–25% of them will have a postpartum psychosis so it's fantastic that EastEnders are raising awareness of this devastating condition.

[35] Kush struggles to pay for his legal fees, so Kat offers to help him by using the stolen money she received from her husband, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).

[41] Phil's son, Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), and secret love rival, Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), were set up as the main suspects for the attack.

[42] Turner explained that Stacey attacks Phil in a "blind panic" after spotting Martin in danger and is in "complete shock" afterwards, not processing what happens until she returns home.

[50] Turner told Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy that Stacey views Martin and Ruby's relationship as "a bit of a joke" and thinks he is "there for the money".

Despite efforts from Martin, Jean and Lily to change her mind, Ruby continues with her claim and Stacey pleads guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence.

[53] On 29 August 2021, senior executive producer Kate Oates teased Stacey's return revealing that it would tie in with Lytton's upcoming exit from the series.

Executive producer Sen looked forward to exploring Stacey and Eve's relationship, while Peace expressed her joy at working with Turner.

"[62] According to MDF The BiPolar Organisation, calls made by young people to their helplines doubled in six months since the on-screen onset of Stacey's illness.