Jessica Plummer says ‘EastEnders’ had to show a different side of domestic abuse with her harrowing storyline.
The actress – who joined the BBC show as Chantelle Atkins in March last year – will leave the soap when her character is killed off by evil Gray (Toby Alexander-Smith) after she files for divorce following years of physical and mental abuse at the hands of her controlling husband.
Commenting on the heartbreaking plot, Jessica said: "She holds herself with such high regard, she doesn’t cower, and she stands up for herself. I don’t think Chantelle even realises how bad it is at the start.
"She thinks, ‘Well, my life is perfect. It’s just that one small little thing. If I could just figure out, everything would be absolutely fine!’
"It’s important to show that this is still domestic abuse, even though it doesn’t look like the typical cowering-in-a-corner, locked-in-a-room versions.
"To the outside world, Gray is charismatic, he’s charming, he’s successful – he’s perhaps not the typical person that is portrayed in domestic abuse storylines."
In upcoming scenes, Chantelle will plan her unsuccessful escape from her abuser, who will kill her after a failed attempt.
Before her death, Jessica’s character calls a women’s refuge rather than turning to her own family for help.
The actress explained: "Chantelle’s parents have a relationship with her husband, so for her to tell her parents is to potentially not escape.
"Gray is clever, he’s smart, and he’s not going to let her just walk out of the door. I think it’s easier for her to just run.
"She loves her dad and is probably the closest to telling him, but at the same time knows that her dad would probably kill Gray. So she wants to protect her dad in that way as well."