EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders star Gurlaine Kaur Garcha has reacted to Friday's (June 25) devastating cliffhanger, which saw Vinny Panesar collapse in the wake of his brother Jags' death.
This week's episodes have seen the Panesar family rocked by the news that Jags has been killed in prison after Ben decided to call off the protection.
The family all know that Jags had been serving a prison sentence for a crime he didn't commit, paving the way for next major chapter in their story.
Speaking about her reaction to the story, Gurlaine – who plays Jags's sister, Ash – said to Digital Spy: "I was really shocked. I first found out that the character was going to die, and then I found out how.
"I try to think about it as a viewer and it's quite dark really. You try to imagine what it must be like, and knowing that character, it is even harder to imagine Jags navigating prison because of the soft, friendly and loving person he was.
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"As Ash, it is something that is going to massively play on her conscience and it's going to impact the family. I suppose she is left wondering why and how and if she could have done anything to prevent or stop this. It was a massive shock and a very sad one."
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Of course, viewers know that Vinny was actually responsible for the robbery that Jags took the rap for, leaving him overwhelmed with guilt.
When Suki spitefully told her son that this was all his fault, Vinny hit the self-destruct button with a worrying tonic of alcohol and drugs.
The closing moments of the episode saw Suki finally give into her grief and breakdown, when she believed she'd lost an unconscious Vinny as well.
"Ash blames herself first and foremost, but she also blames her mum," Guarlaine added. "Viewers will see that as we continue through the story. In terms of Vinny, she just wants to nurture and look after him. She feels sorry for him. Deep down, she doesn't blame Vinny at all. He is her baby brother and she just wants to protect him."
"As shocking and sad as it is though, it's added a different dynamic to the family and all the characters individually.
"The viewers are going to see this change among the family and also how it impacts their relationships with each other, and also other characters too. That is going to be really interesting to see."
As for whether we will continue to see Suki's side after this, Gurlaine isn't too sure.
"That is what viewers will think as they haven't seen that side to her before," Guarlaine teased. "We definitely do see glimpses of that but don't be fooled as a leopard never changes its spots..."
One thing is for sure, though: the Panesars lives will never be the same again.
"You are going to see them on all their own separate journeys over the next few months", Gurlaine said.
"Who does it weigh on the most? It definitely weighs on Ash. She is left to deal with a lot on her own – the funeral, her mum, Kheerat, Vinny. She is lost in the midst of it. You'll see how it impacts on her life and relationships."
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She added: "I think they all deal with their grief in different ways and have different levels of strength. You will see the dynamic change as a whole, but individually, there are going to be some big changes as well.
"You are going to see her caring for her mum and being worried and concerned, but there's a line with her. Once that line is crossed, that is when she's done. I do think it'll bring them closer in a way, but the way that Suki deals with that and responds with that, could tear them apart. You'll have to wait and see."
EastEnders continues next week on BBC One. All episodes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Monday, June 28.
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