EastEnders spoilers: Louisa Lytton reveals all on special consent episode which sees Ruby Allens rape ordeal exposed

EastEnders is lining up a special episode which will tackle the debate surrounding consent, with various customers in the Queen Vic offering different and often clashing opinions after her rape ordeal is reported in the local press.

When Matt and Ross are charged with the crime, Ruby is fearful that she will be identified and her confidence takes another knock when comments accusing her of lying circulate online. When she arrives at the pub, it quickly becomes clear that several people are talking about the case – especially when Martin comes in with Ross and Matt and it transpires that they are the men charged.

While at first, the locals arent aware that Ruby is the person who was attacked, she is forced to listen to everyone having their own opinion. Metro.co.uk caught up with actress Louisa Lytton, who took us through the events of the episode as well as highlighting how fan reactions have proven why EastEnders has been right to tackle this story.

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She also discusses Rubys potential romance with Jay, the future of the plotline and the atmosphere at EastEnders since new boss Kate Oates joined.

How does Ruby feel after hearing that Matt and Ross have been charged?

At first, shes quite shocked that Ross is charged – in her head, Matt raped her but she openly went to bed with Ross. Shes a bit worried about how Martin will react – she is still unsure herself how she feels about it for quite a long time. Part of her still blames herself, part of her believes they know what they did was wrong and another part of her just doesnt want to talk about it. And another part still knows that Stacey is right and she should go through the police process and that they should be charged. There is just so much going on in her mind.

How does the headline in the Gazette impact Ruby?

She panics because at that point she doesnt even know her name hasnt been mentioned. People knowing is the last thing she wanted – it must be a horrible thing to suddenly have something like that printed for everyone to have a view on what has happened to her.

She is then beset with online comments questioning her story – is it important in the age of social media for EastEnders to highlight the damage this can do?

It comes up quite a lot moving forward in the storyline which is important because trolling has a massive effect. It can lead to suicide – thats not where this is going but we now live in a world where people can have an opinion straight away and its there for everyone to see. Its really damaging – and that leads to Ruby wondering if she should go through with this. She is just scared and wants it all to go away.

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It stirs a debate in the community – are there an array of different views, with some EastEnders characters disbelieving Ruby?

Of course – its such a great episode because thats exactly what is happening at the moment, even with people around me. Ive had so many different people giving different views and asking different questions. All we wanted to portray is that in the real world at the moment, this is what is happening. People have different views – different generations, men and women. Each different character has a different opinion on rape and on consent and Ruby is having to be in the situation where she can hear people talking about it without knowing its about her. The paranoia sets in – its a different episode but I think its needed as there have been so many questions around this storyline. Its needed to highlight all the different views.

Would you say that some fan comments made about this storyline are proof why EastEnders are right to tackle it?

Yeah, 100% – thats exactly what it has been. At first people were like: “Oh another rape storyline” but no thats not what it is at all. This is a problem that we are facing every day – its happening everywhere and in every generation and its so important to tackle it and continue the storyline and really expose it for what it is. Hopefully it will eventually lead to a court case – its almost like a taboo subject and it shouldnt be.

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What lies ahead for Ruby beyond the episode in The Vic?

What happens at the end of the big episode is that she exposes that it is her who has been raped. Following on from that, she is quite worried about the different opinions and that people wouldnt believe her. Going forward, she kind of comes in and out of being strong and facing it and hiding away in her house thinking “what have I done?” She goes through many different emotions as the weeks go on.

How does Ruby feel about getting romantic attention from Jay?

At the beginning, its the last thing on her mind – she doesnt want any male attention in that sense. Hes such a lovely boy and so soft and friendly, initially she likes the fact that he is there for her as a friend.

Will the soap explore the fact that Jay is on the sex offenders register and how that might impact how he views Rubys situation?

Im not sure – were literally nowhere near there yet. It would be interesting and maybe that is why they are setting these characters up. But weve not got that far yet.

Does Ruby get any support from women in Walford who have been through something similar?

Yeah, obviously she has Stacey who has been through the same thing. But there are nice scenes with Kellie Bright and with Shona McGarty as Linda and Whitney are women who have had similar experiences. Its nice to show women supporting women.

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Is EastEnders in a good place with Kate Oates taking over – she has a great reputation in the soap world!

Its really exciting – theres such a buzz at the moment at work. We all met with her and shes just brilliant and I just feel like she will be great for the show. Were all so excited to have fresh eyes on the show – its always exciting when a new boss joins.

There has been a positive response to Rubys return – what does that mean to you?

Its so great, theres always that worry of going back to a show as you just never know how people are going to react. Obviously, the nature of the storyline is quite a big deal but its great as it shows the storyline has done exactly what EastEnders wanted it to do. It has opened up that conversation and people are being so supportive of it and of me.

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