Yahoo News Emmerdale star talks "massive" pressure to get Victoria's rape storyline right
Emmerdale star Isabel Hodgins has opened up about the "massive" pressure to get the Victoria Sugden rape ordeal storyline right.
Victoria was sexually assaulted at the hands of Lee Posner last month, and the actress admitted that it's the "grittiest" storyline she has ever been involved in.
"It's been a journey, but I've really enjoyed it," Isabel told This Morning today (June 5), as presenter Phillip Schofield asked if she had felt pressure.
"Massively so, because it's so relevant and it happens to thousands of men and women, and it's a big responsibility for myself and the show to get it right, tell it truthfully," she said. "I think we've managed that."
In the interview, Isabel also spoke about meeting real-life rape victims and how the Emmerdale storyline chimed with them.
"I couldn't believe it, and they're so brave for telling me – they were saying it was exactly the same situation as Victoria or something similar," she continued.
"And I was like, 'Thank you, but I don't know how to respond to this because I'm pretending and it actually happened to you.' I think they're incredible."
In the storyline, Victoria and brother Robert are currently clashing over what to do next, as Victoria wants to keep the baby and move on while Robert is seeking revenge.
Speaking to Digital Spy at the British Soap Awards over the weekend, Isabel explained that the soap is "really exploring Robert and Victoria's relationship because she's always been there to tell him what's right and what's wrong, and this time he's trying to do it".
"She's got choices to make and she's fine with her choices and Robert isn't, so there's gonna be a bit of tension in the family and who's gonna support her, who isn't and that's gonna be really interesting," she added.
"She's in one of the hardest positions someone can find themselves in, and who do you need to support you? Your family. So when Robert isn't supportive, that breaks her heart. Robert's her brother, she needs him there, she wants him there."
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV. This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10.30am.
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct. If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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