Yahoo News Emmerdale star speaks out on Maya's fate
Emmerdale star Louisa Clein has spoken out about Maya Stepney's fate, admitting that viewers want to see her abusive character locked up.
Next week's episodes see Maya appear in court to finally face the music over her grooming of Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant).
Maya has already confessed to exchanging inappropriate text messages with Jacob, hoping this will get her a lighter sentence. However, Jacob's loved ones are desperate for her to be punished for the rest of her crimes too.
Speaking about the uncertain time ahead for Maya next week, Louisa explained: "She's feeling nervous, vulnerable and anxious over what the verdict is going to be. She's on her own and she feels a sense of doom over what the future will hold.
"Because Maya can't quite accept that what she's done is wrong, she can't comprehend the possibility of a jail sentence. I suppose she's hoping she'll get a rap on the knuckles and she'll start again.
"Ideally she would imagine some sort of non-custodial sentence or a suspended sentence, then she'd move away to a different place and try to rebuild her life.
"I don't know how she'd cope in prison. It's not a nice place to be and she wouldn't be looked upon very favourably there. She's not necessarily streetwise!"
Louisa continued: "I think people want to see the right justice for this character. People need to see that there is retribution for her. People are excited and they are interested in how it's going to finish – or at least how this part of the story is going to end.
"I think Emmerdale have done an incredible job telling this story. People who wanted it to be over quickly and thought it was revolting have now invested in the storyline and they talk about it. It's a talked-about story and that's what we all set out to do.
"I feel incredibly proud of this story and that Emmerdale has tackled it, because I think it's brave."
Show bosses have been working closely with Barnardo's on Jacob's storyline over the past few months. Producer Kate Brooks previously promised "the right protocol" and "the right outcome" to the plot.
Emmerdale currently airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with extra episodes at 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children and young people.
Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 (www.nspcc.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline on (1-800-422-4453) or the American SPCC (www.americanspcc.org).
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our Emmerdale 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',)
