EastEnders’ Linda Carter to be raped by Dean Wicks

EastEnders has been working with Rape Crisis on an upcoming storyline that will see Linda Carter sexually assaulted by her brother-in-law Dean Wicks.

Dean made a pass at Linda earlier this year.

“I feel honoured to be given the responsibility of raising awareness of such an important issue. To be entrusted with this storyline, which will not only highlight the issue but also educate against many myths surrounding rape, is a privilege. The statistics that I have learnt from researching this subject matter are so shocking that I hope by EastEnders tackling this storyline, it will help make small progressive steps towards changing people’s perceptions of what rape is.” – Kellie Bright, who plays Linda, told the EastEnders website

Over the past couple of months, viewers have seen Dean behave inappropriately around Linda, including groping her bottom and making a pass at her in the Vic. However, his behaviour is to turn even more sinister as the plot progresses, leaving Linda in a vulnerable position. Bosses are keen to highlight, through the storyline, how vital it is to speak out following a sexual assault.

Matt Di Angelo, who plays Dean, says of his involvement: “This is an extremely challenging storyline to play, but an incredibly important story to tell. Kellie and I have been lucky enough to have the support of everyone at EastEnders and Rape Crisis have been extremely helpful with our research.”

“It is important that these stories are told within dramas to start to change the public narrative around rape which heavily blames survivors. Equally, given the fact that each year 85,000 women and girls and almost 10,000 men are raped in this country, the subject needs to be approached factually and empathically, with a motivation not to entertain but to inform.

 

“The team at EastEnders, from producers and researchers, to writers and actors, have demonstrated a commitment to getting the balance right, working closely with us to create a story that tells some of the truths of sexual violence. We hope this commitment shows through and that anyone watching the show who feels they want to talk about their own experiences feels able to call the National Rape Crisis Helpline.” – Fiona Elvines, Operations Co-ordinator of Rape Crisis, South London

“Kellie Bright and Matt Di Angelo both give such brave, raw and intelligent performances as this story rips into the heart of the Carter family, changing lives forever, testing Mick and Linda’s marriage and exposing some very dark secrets – as we move from Autumn through to Christmas and beyond,” notes EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins.

More information is available on the Rape Crisis website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk, or by calling: 0808 802 9999.