ITV Emmerdale couple ‘pulled apart’ by heartbreak in ‘difficult’ storyline
Emmerdale viewers will see one strong couple torn apart by some worrying and devastating news on the ITV soap in the coming weeks, with cast members teasing the 'draining' scenes
One strong Emmerdale couple could be torn apart in devastating scenes on the ITV soap, as some worrying news sees the characters turn on each other.
Soap stars Olivia Bromley and Jay Kontzle revealed what was ahead for their characters Dawn Taylor and Billy Fletcher, as their baby son Evan is diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in upsetting scenes. As concern for Evan’s health leads to him being taken to hospital, the gravity of his diagnosis and its impact on the lives of his parents and family will lead to “intense” scenes.
Speaking to The Mirror and other press, Olivia revealed how Dawn and Billy would “pull apart” as they struggle to cope with Evan’s illness. The normally united husband and wife will instead turn on each other, as the strain becomes too much and threatens to tear them apart.
Olivia also touched on how the storyline sees Dawn and Billy’s world change instantly, as viewers will see the impact of Evan’s diagnosis on those in the village. Olivia said: “This isn’t going to be a quick story with a quick solve.
“So there’s a lot of dynamics. But I think the thing that’s quite draining is that the relationship between Dawn and Billy is very strained. While they’ve always been a massive support for each other, I think what has felt quite heavy is that they are pulling apart and really going for each other.
Soap stars Olivia Bromley and Jay Kontzle revealed what was ahead for their characters Dawn Taylor and Billy Fletcher
“So that’s a difficult element of it. The last block has been really intense, there’s lots of hospital scenes, and we’re trying to put ourselves in that headspace for a long period of time. Also, we’re working with a real baby who we love and is amazing.
“But that’s impactful, seeing him in hospital, and I’m sure it is for his parents too. It brings it home.” She went on: “How this story plays out is that Billy and Dawn’s life is just going on, they have other things to deal with, and this comes as a curveball.
“It impacts their relationship and their family life. We spoke to parents and families about how that split-second diagnosis changes everything and you have to deal with it.”
Billy actor Jay then told us: “Everything does change. And we have to respect that people are going through this. They’ll have ups and downs, and we’ll try to portray that as realistically as possible.
“When I got the story I’d just had another baby in real life. And now I’m worried about my own child and watching him grow, you don’t really want something like this happening.
“I think it happens with everyone, especially as a parent, you become a lot more concerned and that’s why I think these stories are really pivotal to show because it makes you think about it a little bit more and makes you a bit more aware.
“You are really stressed about your own kids and just making sure that you spend enough time with them because obviously, nothing is certain. You don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
