Next week’s ‘EastEnders’ sees Linda Carter left visibly shaken after Dean Wicks’ shock attack.
Viewers have seen Dean growing closer to Linda in recent weeks, after initially showing an interest in becoming more than friends, and after a night of drinking, he sexually assaults the pub Landlady.
Linda shows her maternal side ahead of the attack
“Linda’s being very maternal,” actress Kellie Bright, who plays Linda, tells Inside Soap. “There’s a lot of talking, they are drinking some wine - he’s drinking more heavily than she is.
“It gets to a point where Linda starts to backtrack a little when she feels that Dean is misconstruing her concern.
“She ends up making an excuse and leaving the room to make a hot chocolate for them, because she’s aware he’s drinking quite a lot.
“He comes into the kitchen, and before she has time to acknowledge what’s happening, it’s happening.”
Linda is left stunned
‘EastEnders’ viewers will then see Linda struggle to decide whether to tell her husband Mick, while attempting to comprehend what’s happened.
Kellie and Matt Di Angelo, who plays Dean, worked with Rape Crisis South London to ensure make sure the storyline is depicted correctly and sensitively.
“I feel honoured to be given the responsibility of raising awareness of such an important issue,” explains Kellie.
“To be entrusted with this storyline, which will not only highlight the issue but also educate against myths surrounding rape, is a privilege.”
Watch ‘EastEnders’ on Monday 6 October to see the events unfold.