Karen Blick left in tears
Emmerdale star Karen Blick, who plays fan-favourite Lydia Dingle, has pleaded with soap bosses not to include a rape storyline for her character. The actress, who has been on the ITV soap since 2016, was left in tears when she was informed about the harrowing plot.
A difficult decision
When Karen was contacted by the show's executive producer, Jane Hudson, to discuss the potential storyline, she expressed her protective instincts for Lydia and her conflicting emotions as an actor. While she recognized the importance of telling this story, the thought of such a terrible event happening to a character she's grown close to was overwhelming.
An emotional reaction
After weeks of anticipation, Karen and her on-screen husband, James Hooton, were informed that the storyline would indeed be moving forward. The news of Lydia's rape left both actors visibly shaken, with tears in their eyes. Karen described it as the most emotional reaction she has ever had to a potential storyline.
Meticulous preparation
Emmerdale bosses, along with Karen, worked closely with Rape Crisis for over a year to ensure that the storyline was handled sensitively and accurately. The collaboration aimed to shed light on the issue of sexual assault while maintaining the integrity of the characters and the show. The scenes depicting Lydia's ordeal are set to air next month.
A sinister turn
In recent episodes, fans have witnessed Lydia reconnecting with her ex-partner, Craig, with whom she endured the tragedy of a stillbirth. Their relationship had been amicable, with Craig even helping Lydia find a job. However, the storyline will take a dark turn as Craig's behavior becomes concerning and he forces himself on Lydia, raping her.
The aftermath
As Lydia grapples with the shock of the attack, she faces a difficult decision – whether to report Craig's crime to the police or not. The storyline will extend into the Christmas season, putting strain on Lydia and Sam's marriage and having profound and irreversible effects on all involved.
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