‘EastEnders’ is to air a special episode next week focusing on Ruby Allen’s rape storyline.
An ep of the BBC One soap will be set purely in the Queen Vic pub, and Louisa Lytton – who plays the character – admits she was "really nervous" being the focus of the attention while shooting the special, which will feature various characters’ views on sexual assault and consent.
She said: "Everyone says how intimidating it is to film in the Queen Vic, even the likes of Steve McFadden and Letitia Dean – no matter how long you’re there, people still have the fear.
"I was really nervous doing it, my boyfriend didn’t understand the Vic fear with everyone looking at you.
"It’s one set, which is rare, and a smaller amount of characters interacting where we get to hear different views on rape and consent."
On Monday’s (26.11.18) episode, Ruby will be told Ross Swinden (Ossian Luke) and Matt Clarkson (Mitchell Hunt) have been charged with rape after she reported having non-consensual sex with them.
But Ruby looks set to develop a romantic interest in Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) when he comforts her after the sexual assault makes front page news, and Louisa is hoping her character will find love.
She added to RadioTimes.com: "They develop a nice friendship which becomes a safe place for her, he’s very soft and tentative and just a lovely guy. It becomes a bit ‘will they/won’t they’.
"Initially, a relationship is the last thing she wants. But at the same time she needs the comfort of a man as she doesn’t have a father figure. So that’s how it starts – Ruby just needs a friend!
"It would be nice for the character to have a romance as we’ve not seen that since she’s come back."
EastEnders to air special Ruby Allen episode
