Emmerdale star Zoe Henry explains why Rhona dumps Marlon
"It's like a runaway train that she just can't stop."
Emmerdale star Zoe Henry has explained why Rhona dumps Marlon in tense upcoming scenes on the soap.
The couple have hit a rocky patch after Rhona decided to turn against Gus Malcolms in his court case, which Marlon is struggling to forgive her over, and their tension boils over next week during a dinner party alongside Belle and Tom.
Zoe explained that it is “an episode of two halves” that will gradually expose the “under the surface stuff”, including “the hidden agendas, the secrets, the unspoken”.
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Rhona is walking on “eggshells” in the build-up to the scenes, and the animosity between her and Marlon suggests that “they 100% should not be there”.
“They are the worst guests in the history of worst guests!” Zoe said. “They both know that, too! So, the day before, they go to lunch in a bid to try and save their marriage, things are tense but they reach a common ground and agree to try and move on.
“Marlon nips to the bathroom and when he comes back, Rhona informs him that they’re going to Belle and Tom’s for dinner the next night.
“Rhona has made the error of assuming that as it’s a ‘Dingle dinner party’, Marlon will obviously want to go… Wrong! He’s fuming! Rhona has made yet another decision without consulting him.”
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Referencing the phrase “sober man’s mind, drunken man’s tongue”, Zoe further revealed: “They both drink too much, get on each other’s nerves and it all comes out! Warts and all!”
Tensions are further escalated by the “sickening” happiness of the other couples, and Rhona seemingly ends their marriage in front of everyone.
“That’s definitely not what she wants,” she explained of Rhona’s decision. “But she’s humiliated and hurt by how Marlon and her have treated each other that night and in the lead up to it.
“And it’s like a runaway train that she just can’t stop… once she’s opened her mouth, that’s it, it all comes out!”
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Asked whether the relationship deteriorating was inevitable, Zoe reflected: “Yes and no. They’ve been through a lot together, especially in the last three years, but I guess no relationship is infallible.
“The embryo story would be enough to break anyone, the emotional rollercoaster of it all. Then add to that Rhona’s change of heart in court – without consulting Marlon – it’s the perfect storm.
“On a personal note, I very much hope [they overcome this]. But there’s no drama in happiness is there? Watch this space.”
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
