Eastenders will air a rape storyline involving Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright, later this year.
Producers of the show have been working with Rape Crisis on the storyline which will see the Queen Vic landlady raped by her husband’s nephew Dean Wicks.
It is important that these stories are told within dramas to start to change the public narrative around rape which heavily blames survivors,” Fiona Elvines, operations co-ordinator of Rape Crisis, South London said.
“Equally, given the fact that each year 85,000 women and girls and almost 10,000 men are raped in this country, the subject needs to be approached factually and empathically, with a motivation not to entertain but to inform”.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, executive producer at EastEnders, added: “EastEnders has a history of telling important human stories that have the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives. We have been working closely with Rape Crisis to tell the story which encourages women who have been in a similar situation to Linda to speak out.
Kellie Bright plays Linda Carter, the Queen Vic’s landlady
“Kellie Bright and Matt Di Angelo both give such brave, raw and intelligent performances as this story rips into the heart of the Carter family, changing lives forever, testing Mick and Linda’s marriage and exposing some very dark secrets – as we move from autumn through to Christmas and beyond” continued the producer.
Viewers of the soap have watched Dean, played by Matt diAngelo, pursue Linda but she has continually rejected his advances. However, the storyline will take a violent turn in the coming months.
“I feel honoured to be given the responsibility of raising awareness of such an important issue. To be entrusted with this storyline, which will not only highlight the issue but also educate against many myths surrounding rape, is a privilege” said Kellie Bright.
