EastEnders are lining up a horrific storyline for Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) this summer, when her drink is spiked on a night out with friends.
She’s already had a turbulent few months after being mugged whilst walking home from a night out with her siblings, and has grappled with her father George’s (Colin Salmon) affair with mum Cindy (Michelle Collins).
In upcoming scenes, Anna heads out to Peggy’s with sister Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) and friends Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) and Felix Baker (Matthew Morrison) when they notice a change in her behaviour.
Initially believing it to be alcohol-induced, they quickly become concerned for her welfare and realise that she hasn’t actually drank much at all.
In a digital-led project for the BBC soap, viewers will then be able to see an alternative insight into the incident from Anna’s perspective, and from additional footage captured by her nearest and dearest in a five part mini-series, Spiked, that will be made available through a QR code in the main episode.
The link will then give the audience a choice of social media platforms; TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, to watch it on. The extra editions will also provide information on internal warning signs to look out for when spiked.
EastEnders have worked with leading charities Stamp Out Spiking and WithYou as well as experts in the field to ensure the plot is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible.
Announcing Spiked today (2nd June), executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: ‘With incidents of spiking rising at alarming rates across the UK in recent years, we chose to explore this issue with Anna Knight who represents the demographic most affected by spiking.’
‘It was imperative for us to work alongside organisations to accurately present, and sensitively portray this storyline, and Molly’s performance has thoughtfully demonstrated the dangerous realities of spiking as we look to raise awareness of the warning signs and symptoms to look out for after an individual has been spiked.’
The new online story-telling model was used by ‘Enders for the first time back in May, with a miniseries that gave an insight into Freddie’s life away from Walford whilst living with grandmother Mo (Laila Morse) in her caravan.
‘Following the success of the recent digital collaboration with EastEnders, which saw them move into scripted content in the vertical digital format for the first time – we’re incredibly excited to step further into the this innovative area with a storyline that has great public relevance’ said Fiona Campbell, controller of BBC Youth Audience.
‘For the first time, EastEnders will incorporate a QR code within the main show, taking viewers to the spin off which will be available across multiple digital platforms reaching wider audiences, and those most affected by spiking.’
The initiative will launch with the episode broadcast on Tuesday, 16th July.
