Emmerdale star Louisa Clein has revealed that Maya Stepney's abuse of teenager Jacob Gallagher will move to the "next level" in the coming weeks.
Maya and Jacob slept together in a hotel last week in uncomfortable scenes, and while there are hints that the evil schoolteacher will be found out at some stage – with David Metcalfe finding a clue and Maya telling a lie next week which could backfire – Clein told Lorraine Kelly on this morning's episode of ITV's Lorraine that the storyline will continue for a while yet.
"There is still a lot more of the story to tell, but it's certainly moving to a next level," she said.
"I think it's really important as an actor when you're looking at a character like this to try and understand why she's doing this, because one can judge a character very quickly and say this is a terrible thing that she's doing – which, of course, it is – but I've tried to get some sense of understanding as to why she's behaved the way she has and what's going on with her."
Clein added that the storyline has been "tough" and a "real challenge", but said that it was important to raise awareness.
"We don't want to tell a romantic, titillating storyline," she said. "We are telling it slowly, and people don't notice when it happens slowly."
What to Read Next
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on 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).
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