Emmerdale’s Tom King and Belle Dingle abuse storyline to ‘plunge into darkness’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Up Next
Emmerdale actors Zoë Henry and Mark Charnock, who play Rhona Goskirk and Marlon Dingle, have spoken about the soap’s harrowing coercive control storyline.
Over a long period in the beloved ITV show viewers have watched in horror as Tom King (James Chase)’s behaviour towards wife Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) has become increasingly more abusive.
And tonight’s special episode of the soap, which focuses attention on a dinner party thrown by the couple for his vet colleagues and their partners, including Marlon and Rhona, is set to lift the lid on the terrifying reality of Belle’s life with Tom.
Teasing about what to expect from the special, which showcases two different viewpoints of the same dinner party, Mark said the second half will ‘plunge into darkness.’
On today’s Good Morning Britain, he said: ‘The second half really plunges the episode into a darkness that the other characters don’t know is there.’
Speaking more generally about the storyline, he said: ‘It’s a very difficult storyline to take on and I think the way [Eden] is doing it. so subtle and so small, almost invisible to the naked eye, is all too common in those contexts.’
Belle has been facing increasingly abusive behavior from Tom (Picture: ITV)
A special episode will show two perspectives of a dinner party thrown by Belle and Tom (Picture: ITV)
Zoë also said that the Emmerdale team worked with domestic abuse charities ‘very closely and every step of the way’ and read scripts concerning the storyline ahead of the cast.
As for Marlon and Rhona’s role in the dinner party, Zoë said: ‘We’re there as the red herring in a way. We’re actually the “normal” couple of there is such a thing and we’re quite openly dysfunctional.
‘What it does is it gives the audience to see how we are and also see from the flipside which is where Tom and Belle are. ‘
Mark, who plays Marlon, said the special episode will ‘plunge into darkness’ (Picture: ITV)
In the episode, viewers will watch Tom become critical of Belle and ask her to change while Marlon and Rhona have a fight which leads to the guests making excuses to leave.
The first half of the special will focus around the perspectives of Rhona and Marlon while the second part of the episode will rewind to the start of the dinner party to capture the events from Belle and Tom’s point of view, offering a glimpse into Tom’s controlling behaviour.
Speaking previously about the episode, Mark said: ‘It’s a one-off in terms of structure and it’s a very different sort of episode where you kind of go back and forth in time during the dinner party.
Zoe, who plays Rhona, attends the dinner party and serves as a counterpoint for viewers (Picture: ITV)
‘What it’s really cleverly done is it’s got what’s happening on stage, which is the dinner party, and what’s happening off stage, which is in the kitchen between Tom and Belle.
‘So we see two charming hosts hosting these different couples and then when the hosts go back into the kitchen we see the darkness of what’s going on between them. Meanwhile on stage you’ve got these happy couples – Mandy and Paddy and Vanessa and Suzy.
‘And then there’s Rhona and Marlon who appear to be completely falling apart in front of everybody.’
Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 7.30pm on ITV and STV.
Domestic abuse helpline
If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you cannot talk, dial 55 and the operator will respond.
For emotional support, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, for practical and emotional support, please contact Women’s Aid Live Chat 10am – 6pm seven days a week.
You can also reach the National Centre for Domestic Violence on 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777.
For free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse, you can call Solace on 0808 802 5565 or email [email protected].
Male victims of domestic abuse can call 01823 334244 to speak to ManKind, an initiative available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Alternatively, the Men's Advice Line can be reached at 0808 8010327, or emailed at [email protected].
If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.
Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings