EASTENDERS’ harrowing domestic abuse storyline between Chantelle Atkins and her husband Gray has left viewers horrified for months.
Now, fans are wondering about the fate of their unborn child as the ‘squeaky clean’ legal eagle struggles to keep his temper at bay. Here’s what we know so far…
EastEnders fans are certainly concerned that she will as Gray’s behaviour grows increasingly worse.
Many have taken Twitter to air their concerns over the fate of her baby.
One wrote: “Every time Gray suggests doing something for Chantelle, I always wonder if he has a hidden agenda to hurt her. Praying she doesn’t lose their baby because of him.”
Another added: “Gray will make Chantelle lose the baby it’s what will finally convince her to leave him #EastEnders.”
While another tweeted: “I have a feeling Gray still might not be able to handle his anger and he’ll end up making Chantelle lose the baby. #Eastenders.”
A fourth commented: “Chantelle needs to stab gray in self defense, as he’s gonna make her lose her baby. #EastEnders.”
Fans will have to keep tuning into the soap to discover what will happen to the unborn third child of Chantelle and Gray.
Fans may have been disturbed by the horrifying scenes but actress Jessica Plummer, who plays Chantelle, says they’ll be worth it if they help fans in the same situation.
She said: “This is an issue that I, and everyone at EastEnders, hope we can raise awareness of.
“Many women and men that are in Chantelle’s situation suffer in silence and we really hope that by showing this story we can highlight an issue and encourage those in similar situations to seek the help they need.”
Toby-Alexander Smith, who plays Gray, said the couple’s story would “take a huge turn for the audience”.
“This storyline will depict how hidden from sight domestic abuse remains even today,” he said.
“To the unaware eye Gray appears to be a loving husband and a committed father but his charm is a front for the power and control he exerts over Chantelle – an experience all too common to thousands of women up and down the country today.
“Domestic abuse, in all its forms, is against the law and is shrouded in secrecy. I hope that by tackling such a sensitive subject matter we can raise awareness of the importance of changing societal values so that both women and men’s rights to live free from abuse, invasion, dis-empowerment and intimidation are respected.”
The BBC One soap worked with Refuge and Women’s Aid on the story and script.
EastEnders boss Kate Oates said: “When Chantelle and Gray arrived on the Square, they gave many of their neighbours a big dose of life-envy with their perfect relationship and no-filter-needed looks and lifestyle.
“But there is truth in the old adage that you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, and the very first time we crossed the threshold of Number One, we saw the truth of their relationship, and the violence Gray subjects Chantelle to.
“In this story, we seek to acknowledge the fact that any relationship, however outwardly enviable, can be affected by violence and abuse.
“Chantelle is strong and capable, with friends and family to support her, and yet she is still unable to voice what is happening to her, and is therefore preventing anyone from helping her because she regards her abuse as a shameful secret.
“We hope this story encourages women and men who experience violence to seek out the help we know they deserve.”
Women’s Aid head of communications Teresa Parker said: “It is important when portraying domestic abuse on screen to make it as realistic as possible, and EastEnders have been working with us from the early stages of the storyline, through to advising on themes to the detail of the scripts.
“From the initial red flags to seeing what is going on behind closed doors, this storyline has been thoroughly researched with experts in domestic abuse.”
