EastEnders’ Molly Rainford teases problems for Anna and Bobby
Actress Molly Rainford has opened up about her character's relationship problems as Anna Knight is set for a terrifying week when she's spiked while on a night out at Peggy's.
EastEnders actress Molly Rainford has teased trouble for her character Anna Knight’s relationship with Bobby Beale. In next week’s episodes of the BBC One soap, Anna is set to face a horrifying ordeal as her drink gets spiked in distressing scenes.
In an episode scheduled for Tuesday, July 16, Anna finds herself in danger when her drink is tampered with during a night out at Peggy’s. Initially, her friends attribute her erratic behaviour to alcohol, overlooking the terrifying incident.
However, it soon becomes evident that her actions are disproportionate to the small amount of alcohol she has consumed, causing concern among her loved ones. When Anna wakes up in hospital, she learns she has been spiked and feels very “scared”, but she seeks support in Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier).
Speaking about her character’s reaction to the terrifying ordeal, Molly, 23, said: “I think there’s a massive mixture of emotions for Anna. Part of her is obviously scared, because not being able to remember the events of the evening is quite frightening.
“The unknown in anything is frightening so it’s playing on her mind and she’s wondering what really happened. There is also another side of her that questions whether she’s to blame which is ridiculous but also a very common misconception.
“Was she reckless? Was she looking after herself? Was she maybe interacting with this person more than she knew?”.
She adds: “On top of all of that, there’s another part of her that is now fearing going out again, and going inward which is sad because no one should have to feel like that. It’s her local bar which her parents’ friends own, and it shouldn’t be a place where she feels unsafe.”
As fans of the BBC One soap will know Anna is in a relationship with Bobby Beale (Clay Milner-Russell) but it looks as though the pair are about to hit a rocky road.
At the beginning of the week, Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) expresses her concern for her sister’s relationship with Bobby and questions if he is the right man for her.
Molly explains: “I think Anna is over always having to justify why she’s with Bobby. I think she’s proved time and time again that he’s a good guy who really cares for her, and would go above and beyond, so I think for her it’s frustrating that people don’t just accept that they’re together and they’re happy.
“Personality wise he’s obviously very different to what Gina or even Cindy would have wanted for her but I think it shows that sometimes you have to go outside of your comfort zone and she’s ended up with a really nice boy.”
But following Anna’s spiking, Bobby acts distant before trying to piece together the night’s events – against Anna’s wishes. This throws devastated Anna closer to Freddie, who previously spent a passionate night together.
“I think the reason Bobby put his foot in it is, as like anyone does, he tries to make sense of the situation”, Molly explains, “I don’t think Bobby means to hurt her, but with all of the stress that’s going on, and with Anna also feeling unwell from the spiking, it was the wrong moment to start trying to piece the night together.”
The soap star adds: “I think the reason she turns to Freddie as a bit of a comfort is because instead of trying to make sense of it, he just listens. Sometimes you just need someone to hear you and not question how you feel.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
