EastEnders icon Gillian Taylforth has been at the heart of EastEnders drama for decades. But it turns out the real challenges haven’t just been on-screen! The soap icon, best known for playing the beloved Kathy Beale, recently spilled some tea on the most challenging moments she’s faced while filming. The star gave us a rare glimpse into the highs and lows of the entertainment industry. Keep scrolling to know more.
EastEnders Gillian Opens Up About Challenging Times!
EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth has opened up about the ‘dark time’ she experienced while practicing her lines for a storyline in regards to her character, Kathy Beale. The soap star recently appeared in an interview with Radio Times and revealed that some narratives take a psychological toll on actors. Taylforth highlighted the harrowing 1988 storyline in which her character was sexually abused by James Willmott-Brown.
She shared, “I remember going home with the scripts and feeling very down and sad about it all. Learning those lines was a dark time. And actually, when it all happened in The Dagmar [wine bar], it was quite scary. Then, doing the big scene in the police station, having to go through it all again… It was gruelling.” Long-time viewers know that this storyline began while Kathy was working at The Dagmar and had to stay back one night.
The situation escalated very quickly and got dark when Kathy didn’t show any interest in him, and he ended up raping her. This particular episode was watched by 19 million viewers. And we saw Kathy reporting James to the police. He was then found guilty and was sent to prison for three years. Gillian has played Kathy on and off for 40 years. She shed light on how different her alter-ego has gotten over the years.
“Kathy’s a bit more outspoken than me. I’m not very opinionated, and I don’t like confrontations unless I’m really pushed, but Kathy is very strong, bolshie, and she’s not afraid to say what she thinks,” she said. For more such updates on EastEnders, keep following Soap Opera Daily!
