As Ruby’s rape goes public during a dramatic Queen Vic showdown, actress Louisa Lytton, who plays Ruby, reveals the positive social media reaction she's had to the storyline
EastEnders fans have seen Ruby Allen living on a knife-edge since she went to the police over her rape at the hands of Martin’s mate Matt.
She’s been paranoid two things – that everyone will find out it’s her and that nobody will believe her side of the story.
And, as EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton reveals, when Matt and Ross are charged, Ruby’s fears comes true in dramatic fashion…
Q: How does Ruby feel about the charges and the case hitting the headlines?
Louisa Lytton: "It’s a shock at first. It’s all being brought to light and she doesn’t want people to know about it. She knows it’s the right thing, but at the same time she just wants to put it to the back of her mind – I guess she feels like the whole world is looking at her."
Q: Everyone starts gossiping about it in the Vic. What happens?
LL: "Everyone has seen the paper and is discussing the case, what happened that night and who was involved. She can hear different snippets of people’s views, like ‘young girls these days go out in such short skirts’ – all that sort of stuff. Then she sees the boys are in the Vic and she has to stop Stacey flying off the handle!"
Q: So how does the truth come out?
LL: "Eventually it all comes to a head and Ruby blurts something out, which means everyone knows it’s her! She thinks, oh my God, what have I done?"
Q: Does she fall apart afterwards?
LL: "Yes, she has a few days where she doesn’t leave the house. Not only has this happened to her, but she’s also got no mum or dad and no one to turn to. She’s really lonely."
Q: How have you found the reaction to the rape storyline?
LL: "I’ve had so many women messaging me on social media saying, ‘thank you for doing this storyline’ or ‘I was in a similar situation’. You just hope it opens up conversations."
Q: It’s been quite an intense storyline for you. Are you taking a break over Christmas?
LL: "Yeah I’m going away on Boxing Day to Hawaii for two weeks! I’m going to try to do as many of the islands as I can, so it will probably be absolutely manic and then I’ll come back home and be knackered!"
EastEnders continues on BBC1
Words: Hannah Davies/Sarah Waterfall
