EastEnders announces spiking storyline

EastEnders has announced a new storyline that will see Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) having her drink spiked.

The BBC soap has worked with the UK charities Stamp Out Spiking and WithYou to ensure the Tuesday 16 July episode “is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible”.

The episode will be accompanied by a “digital first” for EastEnders: a five-part mini-series “that will be made accessible to viewers via a QR code that will feature within the main episode, which will take the audience to a link giving them the option of which platform to watch through”.

The mini-series on EastEnders‘ TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook channels “will offer a unique insight as viewers see the incident from Anna’s own perspective and from the perspective of her friends”.

“As Anna grapples with her detachment from reality, viewers of the mini-series will experience the internal warning signs to look out for when spiked, whereas additional footage captured by Anna’s friends will showcase the outward effects the drugs have on her behaviour and mobility,” EastEnders continued.

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer of EastEnders, said of the storyline: “With incidents of spiking rising at alarming rates across the UK in recent years, we chose to explore this issue with Anna Knight, who represents the demographic most affected by spiking.

“It was imperative for us to work alongside organisations to accurately present, and sensitively portray this storyline, and Molly’s [Rainford] performance has thoughtfully demonstrated the dangerous realities of spiking as we look to raise awareness of the warning signs and symptoms to look out for after an individual has been spiked.”

Fiona Campbell, BBC Controller Youth Audience, said: “Following the success of the recent digital collaboration with EastEnders, which saw them move into scripted content in the vertical digital format for the first time, we’re incredibly excited to step further into this innovative area with a storyline that has great public relevance.

“For the first time, EastEnders will incorporate a QR code within the main show, taking viewers to the spin-off that will be available across multiple digital platforms reaching wider audiences, and those most affected by spiking.

“EastEnders is one of the BBC’s highest-performing shows for young audiences and driving its awareness on short-form video platforms, where these audiences find much of their daily content diet, is a priority for us.”

Dawn Dines, CEO and Founder at Stamp Out Spiking, said: “EastEnders is a wonderful vehicle to drive the safeguarding message and with its huge popularity amongst a wide range of the public, it will help inspire conversations to help protect men and women being targeted.

“Education is key to preventing these incidents. Stamp Out Spiking are delighted to have taken part in bringing the essential storyline to the screen.”

Abie Wilson, Lead Clinical Pharmacist at WithYou, said: “We’d like to thank EastEnders for giving us the opportunity to work together on such an important storyline.

“After Anna’s drink is spiked, she is helped to safety by her friends, and so we always advise being with people you trust and who will look out for you when partying.

“For anyone affected by this storyline, or who’s experiencing challenges with drugs, alcohol, or mental health, we encourage you to access support.”

If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, please visit: www.rte.ie/helplines.

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