Emmerdale is to explore Belle King’s experience of domestic abuse through three potential futures for the character. Belle, played by Eden Taylor-Draper, has been suffering coercive control and abuse at the hands of her manipulative husband, Tom King (James Chase), on the ITV soap for months as part of an ongoing storyline. In a new hour-long episode, airing next month, hypothetical realities are played out following her leaving the relationship and Tom threatening Belle, saying he will never give up on her.
(L to R) Emmerdale actors Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle), Lawrence Robb (Mackenzie Boyd) and James Chase (Tom King)(Danny Lawson/PA) “It was a very special episode to film, I understand viewers will find it distressing and uncomfortable, but I am so proud we are exploring this to its full potential to give people a real insight to what can go on.” The soap, which has worked on the storyline with domestic abuse charity Refuge, will see Belle interact with and observe situations that may never actually happen in reality as a way for her to tell the audience how she has been suffering amid her fear of speaking out about the abuse. Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper said: “In this stylised episode we explore Belle’s worst fears and see the true extent of the impact her abusive relationship with Tom has had on her.
“If one person seeks help for a situation they are in because of seeing Belle’s plight it will be an achievement. “Domestic abuse can be undetectable from.