'EastEnders': Louisa Lytton returned specifically for rape storyline

Louisa Lytton revealed on Thursday that she returned to EastEnders specifically to cover her character’s hard-hitting storyline.

The 29-year-old actress, who plays EastEnders character Ruby Allen, spoke to Lorraine about the shocking but highly praised storyline, and why it prompted her to return to the BBC soap.

“Obviously as an actress I was grateful to be trusted with such an important storyline. So I said of course I will do it,” Lytton said.

She has returned to the soap this year after 12 years away. This week viewers were shocked as Ruby grappled coming to terms with the realisation that she had been raped by newcomer Ross.

Allen said she is surprised and pleased with the positive feedback she’s received from viewers via social media.

“I was surprised myself just how quickly that reaction has happened, that’s the point of this storyline is to open that conversation and hopefully educate.

“We’re only telling one story we’re only telling Ruby’s stories, but there are millions of viewers that can relate so it is important that we’ve done it right. I questioned it myself, people will be saying why don’t you fight back, but that’s one of your body’s natural reactions is that you freeze,” Lytton said.

Lytton was joined on the show by Rape Crisis representative Katie Russell who said she worked closely with the EastEnders writing team while crafting the highly sensitive storyline.

“We really welcome drama, especially ones as popular as EastEnders, that reach so many people and such a diverse audience, tackling topics like this.

“It will be evident as the story unfolds that we still have a lot of public education and awareness raising to do when it comes to the issue of consent,” Russell said.

EastEnders returns Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.

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