Shaheen Jafargholi says ‘EastEnders’ viewers will see the "gory details" of knife crime play out in this week’s episodes after his character was stabbed last night (21.05.18).
The 21-year-old star’s alter-ego Shakil Kazemi will meet his maker on Friday (25.05.18) after he and Keegan Baker (Zack Morris) were attacked by a gang in the final stages of Monday night’s dramatic episode, and he feels "so blessed" to be leaving the show with such a hard-hitting storyline.
He said: "Friday will be the end for Shakil. On tonight’s episode you will see him wandering around trying to get help, but unfortunately that doesn’t happen.
"You really get to see the gory details of how serious this issue is, which is so important at the minute.
"It’s going to be weird [to leave]. I’ve been there for two years and I’ve made so many incredible friends and memories.
"But like with anything, all good things come to an end.
"That’s the nature of these shows. Characters come and go. I feel so blessed to be able to leave with such an incredible storyline."
Shaheen found it a big "responsibility" to cover the hard-hitting ‘EastEnders’ plot, and is pleased the soap are covering the ramifications of the crime.
He added: "The first thing that was going through my mind was the responsibility.
"Brooke and The Ben Kinsella Trust have been working so closely with us to make sure we get the details right with this.
"You see the news about people getting stabbed but you don’t really see the ramifications it has afterwards and for the families."
Lorraine Stanley – who plays Keegan’s mum Karen Taylor in the soap – found it "really difficult" to film the aftermath of the stabbing.
Speaking in a joint interview on ‘This Morning’, she added: "They were tough [to film] but we’re actors and we’re playing that situation. Mothers are going through it every day.
"I can’t imagine what it feels like. It was really difficult."
Shaheen Jafargholi on ‘gory details’ of EastEnders’ knife plot
