EastEnders is set to air a heartbreaking storyline later this year involving character Ben Mitchell.
The BBC soap‘s hard-hitting plot will see Ben, played by Max Bowden, raped by barman Lewis, according to the Metro. In recent weeks, viewers have watched the friends' relationship blossom as Lewis, played by Aidan O’Callaghan, befriended Max while he was experiencing an identity crisis following a homophobic attack him and his boyfriend, Callum, suffered at New Year.
Since the attack, a struggling Ben has lashed out against homophobes and a future scene will see things go too far and result in Ben confiding in Lewis.
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BBC head of continuing drama Kate Oates said: “Ben has endured a traumatic time after witnessing a homophobic attack on Callum that brought back painful memories of losing Paul. As a result, Ben lost his way in life which is when he found Lewis.
"Ben finds Lewis attractive, and thinks of him as a someone who can understand him in a way Callum does not; but that trust is abused when Lewis crosses a line and rapes Ben. Through this story, we hope to explore issues of consent, sexual identity, masculinity, and sexual assault, focusing on how this fateful night impacts Ben and those who love him over the coming months.”
The issue of male rape was previously looked at by the soap 10 years ago but was subsequently abandoned after it was deemed too controversial for mainstream pre-watershed TV. Since then, soap fans have watched the likes of David Platt in Coronation Street be central to a male rape story as well as John Paul McQueen in Hollyoaks experiencing a similar ordeal.
Actor Max, known for his role in BBC One school-based drama series Waterloo Road, said: “Alongside some wonderful charities, and some very inspirational survivors of male sexual assault in the UK, I think we’ve been able to really strive to tell the most truthful account we can, and I hope we can raise awareness and understanding on a topic that is rarely covered. I’m honoured to be given this opportunity to tell such an important story.”
EastEnders, which has been running for nearly 40 years, has not previously shied away from including LGBTQ+ storylines with Syed Masood battling between his Muslim faith and sexuality, Johnny Carter coming out to his on-screen dad played by Danny Dyer and Walford having its first Gay Pride in 2019.
BBC producers have been working alongside several charities, including SurvivorsUK, Survivors Manchester and the Male Survivors Partnership, to ensure it is covered as sensitively as possible.
Rape charity SurvivorsUK spokeswoman, Marta Almeida, Services Manager for said: “Almost all of us will know a man who has been sexually assaulted at some point, but a huge number of male survivors still don’t feel there’s a space for them to come forward. Storylines like this one are an amazing opportunity to explore the reality for so many men, families and communities up and down the UK.”
The storyline is rumoured to air next month.
