The following article contains discussion of domestic violence that some readers may find upsetting.
EastEnders spoilers follow.
Soap viewers have applauded EastEnders for shining a powerful spotlight on the issue of domestic violence following Chantelle Atkins's tragic death in Friday's (September 18) cinematic episode.
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Since the summer of 2019, Jessica Plummer and Toby-Alexander Smith have brought viewers an unflinching exploration of mental and physical abuse that takes place in many relationships across the country.
Related: EastEnders star Jessica Plummer shares goodbye message on Instagram ahead of Chantelle's death
The domestic violence storyline reached a tragic conclusion on Friday night when Chantelle bravely told her abusive husband that she was planning to leave.
Evil Gray pushed his wife onto an open dishwasher and left her to die, setting off a chain of events that will lead to him landing in police custody for questioning next week.
EastEnders has worked closely with two charities, Women's Aid and Refuge, in creating the storyline — and now viewers are saluting soap bosses for addressing such a vital topic.
"This is a frightening and difficult watch tonight @bbceastenders but so necessary," a viewer tweeted. "My heart is breaking for anyone going through this or has experienced anything like this."
Another rightly pointed out: "This is the reality for many. Chantelle and Gray are fictional, but their story has been lived hundreds of times. Tonight's #EastEnders is so raw, so tense. It's heartbreaking knowing what happens to Chantelle, but so important to show the reality. @bbceastenders."
"OMG! Tonight's episode so intense and gripping. If this helps someone it was worth it. Well done to Toby and Jessica," one person watching wrote.
One viewer noted that the cinematic style used for the episode really added to the poignancy, writing: "I have to say, the new camera angles enforced by social distancing are really powerful for the Grey/Chantelle showdown tonight."
Jessica Plummer – who plays Chantelle – spoke to Digital Spy about her exit from EastEnders, revealing that she felt an enormous responsibility to get the storyline and its conclusion correct because it impacts so many across the nation.
Chantelle's death reflects the sad reality in the UK that a woman is killed by a current or former partner every four days, with Women's Aid research finding an alarming rise in domestic violence during lockdown.
"I really wanted to do the scenes justice, I wanted to do Chantelle justice and I wanted to do justice for every woman that has been in the situation. I wanted to make sure it was perfect," she said.
Related: EastEnders boss Kate Oates explains decision behind Chantelle's tragic storyline
"I felt like Chantelle knew that night was the night. I don't think she knew she was going to die necessarily, but she knew it was the night something was going to happen."
EastEnders airs the fallout of Chantelle's death on Monday (September 21) at 8.05pm on BBC One.
We would encourage any readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story to contact Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk) or Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk). The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text text LOVEIS to 22522.
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