EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders has announced a dramatic new storyline that will see Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) get her drink spiked.
Later this summer, Anna will find herself in danger when she gets spiked while on a night out at Peggy’s.
In scenes that will air on Tuesday, July 16, Anna’s friends will initially believe that her behaviour is down to her alcohol consumption, but they will become concerned for her welfare when they realise things don’t add up.
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This new storyline won’t just be confined to the show’s regular episodes, as in a digital first for EastEnders, an exclusive five-part mini-series will be made accessible to viewers via a QR code that will feature in the main episode.
The digital series, which will be available on the show’s TikTok, Instagram and Facebook channels, will give a unique insight to the topic, presenting the incident from Anna’s own perspective, as well as the perspectives of her friends.
Viewers will be able to experience the internal warning signs to look out for when spiked, as Anna detaches from reality, while the footage captured by Anna’s friends will highlight the outward effects the drugs have on her behaviour and mobility.
In this storyline, EastEnders is working with leading charities Stamp Out Spiking and WithYou as well as other experts, to make sure that Anna’s story is depicted accurately and sensitively.
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Chris Clenshaw, the show’s executive producer, has said in a statement: “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 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.”
Meanwhile, Dawn Dines, CEO of Stamp Out Spiking, added: “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.”
