BeastEnders

[Perdita]

EASTENDERS is launching a shocking child sex abuse storyline which sees Bianca’s step-daughter raped by her hubby.

The BBC1 soap went to kids’ charity the NSPCC for guidance on the sensitive plot, based around 15-year-old Whitney Dean.

Since arriving in Albert Square, Whitney (Shona McGarty), has been involved in a string of scuffles — and cautioned by cops for a street brawl.

But her troubles get far worse following the release of Tony — the husband of mum-of-five Bianca (Patsy Palmer).

It was his prison sentence that left Bianca and her brood homeless.

But Tony — dad of three-year-old Morgan — returns to Walford to wreak devastation on the family.

He cruelly targets Whitney, who is the daughter of fiery Bianca’s dead boyfriend Nathan. And it soon becomes clear Tony has been abusing the teen for years. EastEnders bosses have yet to announce who is playing Tony.

A show insider said: “This storyline has been planned since last year. What you will see is Whitney making sly comments and worrying when she realises Tony is being released from prison.”

There have been no sex abuse plots on the soap — although Kat Slater’s daughter Zoe was the product of abuse by an uncle.

Last night a spokeswoman confirmed: “EastEnders is currently planning a future storyline which will tackle sexual abuse within the Jackson family. The programme is working very closely with the NSPCC so that this subject is accurately and sensitively portrayed.

“EastEnders has successfully drawn attention in the past to a number of sensitive issues including domestic violence, rape and HIV.”

NSPCC spokesman John Grounds said: “Programmes like EastEnders are increasingly helping to raise awareness of the hidden nature of sexual abuse.

“The NSPCC’s work on the EastEnders storyline is aimed at ensuring the portrayal of child abuse accurately reflects the damage it can do to the victim, their family and the wider community.

“This is vital in persuading people to take action to stop it and encouraging children to speak out.”

:eek:

[Dr. Tangliss]

That's going to be one strong storyline and will have to be played carefully.

[Katy]

i think when they do storylines that are contraversial and ouch a nerve they are always dealt with carefully. I think it looks a good way to try and highlight the issue.

[Dr. Tangliss]

Apart from the coffin one, although to be honest I did not see why it was so bad in the end as she dug Max up afterall ;)

[StarsOfCCTV]

I wanted her to leave him there! :p

Seriously though I do think EE will do the storyline justice...they seem to have done a lot of research, going to the NSPCC, they haven't just jumped into it.

[Perdita]

Although getting advice from the NSPCC, I hope they are not trying to sensationalise the storyline to pull in the viewers.

[Dr. Tangliss]

Yes I feel the same as you, Perdita.

[miccisy]

This is why i think EE is the best soap. It brings great storylines and always makes sure it tackles them right and it actually shows things that happen in real life.

What do other soaps show?!?!?!

Corrie - storyline about Betty's hotpot.
Emmerdale - the only good storyline in that is Laurel and Ashley but that is getting boring now.
Hollyoaks - Ok the Max storyline is good but then they decide to bring him back as a ghost to watch over his family in the last episode he is in.

EE always brings controversial storylines and no doubt someone will complain about it but at the end of the day they are showing things that really do happen and how different people deal with the effects of what is happening around them.

[Perdita]

Emmerdale is building up to Domestic Violence (already started but due to increase). Corrie is due to have a couple of murder stories (Liam and possibly Jerry), also Tony is developing into a nasty bully. Just a couple of examples. And all the other soaps have storylines that are relevant to events happening in real life these days, not just EE who have harped on about an extra marital affair too long, some psycho is roaming Albert Square for far too long now, so they don't get it all right imo.

[miccisy]

Yeah i know but i think some of the storylines they do are stupid.

The emmerdale one with Jo i do like but its not really mentioned. Whenever he hurts her or whatever he does you never get to see it so its kind of like did he hit her or what happened to her. I think it will be good to see what happens. If we actually ever get to see anything that is.

I think the Corrie ones are just stupid. I did like the Maria and baby storyline but thats it. Personally in my opinion they might aswell just cancel that soap. But thats just my opinion.

I do think EE do get things wrong sometimes especially when Tanya buried Max alive. I just thought that was stupid. I do like Tanya and Jack together tho and think they should get rid of Max. One thing that annoys me was when in the tv guide it says "will Ronnie and Max have an affair?" An affair on who? Ronnie and Jack arent together anymore and Tanya and Max arent together anymore (yeah they are legally married but they still arent together).

The only reason i do like EE is because they always do the more controversial storylines. Like the one in this thread about Whitney. I think most of the time (not always) they make it as realistic as possible.

[Hollie-x]

Hmmm. Could either go really well, or be disasterous. I suppose it depends on how other people see it. I mean there may be people who watch the show who have experienced this and may not feel it's appropriate, but then by that, there would be hardly any storylines to have. If you know what I mean.

Let's hope it does go well. Could be interesting!

[lizann]

This is a really good storyline for Eastenders but Whitney has never acted uneasy when Tony is mentioned. I presumed she had a good relationship with him.

I wonder who will play Tony ???????? :searchme:

[JustJodi]

That's going to be one strong storyline and will have to be played carefully.


yes I totally agree it needs to be handled carefully, EE does tend to go over board on certain issues, but this should be handled accordingly..
Curious to see who they cast as Tony.. and wonder if Pat will allow this ex con to live in her home?

[DaVeyWaVey]

It will be interesting to see how Eastenders tackles this. It's nice they will be dealing with a very sensitive issue and I am looking forward to seeing how it's portrayed on screen. Personally, I'm glad they are finally giving the Jackson family something central to work on. I think the girl who plays Whitney in particular is a great actress and has a lot of potential, so I'm pleased she has been picked to be central to the storyline and try and do it justice.

[Chris_2k11]

Great to see Eastenders getting gritty again, its a while since we've had a hard hitting storyline like this. I reckon this'll prove whether the show still has what it takes to be like it used to be controversy wise.

[CrazyLea]

I agree with all that has been said about EE tackling it well etc..

But isn't Whitney excited for Tony to get back out? Or is that someone else? The calender and stuff.. if it's been going on for a while then??

[StarsOfCCTV]

But isn't Whitney excited for Tony to get back out? Or is that someone else? The calender and stuff.. if it's been going on for a while then??
She probably doesn't want to upset Bianca...? :searchme:

[Kim]

Eek, I didn't see this coming. Whitney seemed quite upset that he was in jail before, while talking to Bianca. Maybe for her benefit then, like Kat did nothing about Harry and walked out of a room as he walked in it. Bianca's going to wish she did get back with Ricky and end things with Tony then.

[Chloe O'brien]

As with all stories and plots this one will only be effective if the research is done properly, they can't just introduce this Tony on a monday and by Thursday showing getting dressed after abusing Whitney. It has to be investigated properly otherwise it will have the adverse effect on victim and cause them to bottle up abuse instead of speaking out.

EE would be wise to take a leaf out of Brookie's book they did the best and one of the most contraversal storyline on domestic violence/sexual abuse with The Jordache.

[LostVoodoo]

As with all stories and plots this one will only be effective if the research is done properly, they can't just introduce this Tony on a monday and by Thursday showing getting dressed after abusing Whitney. It has to be investigated properly otherwise it will have the adverse effect on victim and cause them to bottle up abuse instead of speaking out.


well i think they will, look at how long it took them to build up the Stella and Ben storyline. in fact, the way that storyline was handled gives me a lot of confidence that this one will work ok.

one thing i do remember about Whitney, was when she wanted to buy Wellard off Mickey. she didn't have any money and she seemed to suggest something sexual to Mickey and started unbuttoning her top or something and Mickey freaked out. i thought that was a really awkward and strange scene that seems to somehow fit now.

[tammyy2j]

If it is written well and researched it will be a good storyline for Eastenders.

Its good that it the Whitney and the Jackson its happening to.

Whitney reminds me alot of Demi (another great child character)

As Whitney is friends with Lucy it might make her realise how good she has got it and pull herself in line

Since Morgan is coloured i'm assuming Tony is coloured

[StarsOfCCTV]

one thing i do remember about Whitney, was when she wanted to buy Wellard off Mickey. she didn't have any money and she seemed to suggest something sexual to Mickey and started unbuttoning her top or something and Mickey freaked out. i thought that was a really awkward and strange scene that seems to somehow fit now.
I'd forgotten that, I wondered what she was playing at at the time but know I kind of get why.

[soap-lover-xx]

ee is the best programme ever!
they have the best characters ever, and i quite like whitney she is funny, btw who has been sending bianca all these gifts ?

[Dutchgirl]

Well this storyline will get some bad reviews and complaints. But as a teacher I know that reality is sometimes worse than any scriptwriter can dream up. :(
So good on EE for daring to do this.

[lizann]

http://www.sueterryvoices.com/images/artist/full/chris-coghill.jpg


Former Shameless actor Chris Coghill has joined the cast of EastEnders.

The 34-year-old, who appeared as the character of Craig in the Manchester-based comedy, will play Bianca Jackson's (Patsy Palmer) current partner Tony King and will quickly become embroiled in the East-End soap's recently-announced child sex abuse storyline.

Tony found himself behind bars after being convicted of ABH for attacking a youngster who took a shine to his 15-year-old step-daughter Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty). When he's released from prison, however, his intentions towards her are not all they seem and it becomes evident that he is sexually abusing her. It soon transpires that his maltreatment of her has been going on for some time.

Bianca, however, is oblivious to everything, while Whitney is forced to deal with her situation in silence.

Speaking of his role, Coghill said: "This is the most challenging role I have had to play. But I hope by EastEnders tackling the sensitive issue of child abuse it can raise awareness."

His other acting credits include Holby Blue, Doctors, Hotel Babylon and The Bill.

[Katy]

I love Chris Coghill i think hes great. Not seen him in anything for ages.

[tammyy2j]

Chris Coghill is HOT?

So he is not Morgan's dad????????

[Siobhan]

Chris Coghill is HOT?

So he is not Morgan's dad????????

I was thinking that too cause Morgan's is black.. he is not!!