EastEnders writer defends 'Poles Go Home' story
The writer behind Tuesday night's (February 21) EastEnders has defended the soap as "brave" and "relevant" – after one story during the episode tackled the issues of racism and xenophobia in the UK head-on.
The message "Poles Go Home" was scrawled on the front of the Queen Vic in graffiti after the recent Polish-themed night took place at the pub.
Mick Carter (played by Danny Dyer) was shocked by the incident and new Polish character Konrad (Piotr Baumann) said it's "the Britain we live in now".
While some fans praised the show for being topical...
Glad #eastenders have made a story of Brexit triggered racism. Let's see how it develops. If at all.
- Purpley Starz Gemini (@purpleystarz) February 21, 2017
#Eastenders raising important topical issues tonight, good to see.
- Dan Brown (@DanJBrownMUFC) February 21, 2017
Others were annoyed EastEnders was promoting a Brexit-themed storyline...
@BBC #eastenders apparently #Brexit Britain is all racist and apocalyptic, with constant snidey references to us leaving. Political really?
- Thomas.D (@DTwarks) February 21, 2017
The writers just had to add a sprinkle of post-Brexit xenophobia innit #EastEnders
- Kaosi (@marvskao) February 22, 2017
Oh, look at that, a bit of Brexit related xenophobia. #EastEnders
- Peta Fox (@TheRadioFanatic) February 21, 2017
And a few even accused the BBC of having an anti-Brexit agenda...
#eastenders They seem to be brexit bashing! Good old BBC truly unbiased of its politics.
- Troy (@themadhitman) February 21, 2017
Good to see the BBC get on the Brexit hate crime bandwagon #Eastenders
- Jordansson (@Jordeo) February 21, 2017
Dear @BBCOne , please stick your publicly-funded anti- #Brexit propaganda up your arses 🇬🇧🇺🇸. #BBC #eastenders @BanTheBBC
- Professor Wastrel (@Office__Pest) February 21, 2017
Incredible #Brexit bashing storyline on #EastEnders this evening. Normally this is The One Show territory. Prime time unabashed BBC bias
- Ashley Mason (@misteramason) February 21, 2017
More anti-Brexit propaganda from the BBC tonight on #Eastenders
- Gabi Jones (@Gabrielka_J) February 21, 2017
Leo Richardson – the writer of Tuesday's episode – came to the defence of the show on Twitter, responding to one viewer who wanted him "sacked" for politicising a "supposedly apolitical soap".
"So are you saying that racism doesn't exist? And that this isn't a very real problem in Britain today?" Richardson asked the viewer.
"What you saw on screen was a fictional character expressing his own belief. The side of a under represented group of people, I might add.
So are you saying that racism doesn't exist? And that this isn't a very real problem in Britain today? https://t.co/Mek11gIfmu
- Leo Richardson (@leo_richardson) February 21, 2017
What you saw on screen was a fictional character expressing his own belief. The side of a under represented group of people, I might add. https://t.co/R05bFWHSRx
- Leo Richardson (@leo_richardson) February 21, 2017
This troll. Criticising the show I work on because it did a story about the very real racism Polish people have experienced post-Brexit. 🚮 https://t.co/Mek11gIfmu
- Leo Richardson (@leo_richardson) February 21, 2017
Precisely. And showing another side of the coin. https://t.co/Wco4dZHMTI
- Leo Richardson (@leo_richardson) February 21, 2017
Here here! Totally, Linda xx https://t.co/zoRWC1Euqx
- Leo Richardson (@leo_richardson) February 22, 2017
"This troll. Criticising the show I work on because it did a story about the very real racism Polish people have experienced post-Brexit."
When a second EastEnders fan said "acknowledging racism should never be seen as a political move", Richardson agreed and also echoed another viewer's point that it was "brave and relevant to highlight the issue, soaps are meant to represent what is currently happening in society".
EastEnders continues this Thursday (February 23) at 7.30pm on BBC One.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our EastEnders homepage
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
You Might Also Like