Emmerdale fans have been left sickened and horrified over the past few months, as they’ve watched predator Maya Stepney embark on an inappropriate relationship with Jacob Gallagher.
The paedophile teacher has groomed her student Jacob – who also happens to be her boyfriend’s stepson! – with disturbing results.
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Recently, after months of teasing and manipulation, Maya and Jacob had sex for the first time time after he turned 16 – and they’ve continued to get intimate any chance they can get.
Last night (Tuesday 12 March), the pair were nearly caught out when they had sex in the back room of the village hall.
After their risky intercourse, they were almost rumbled by David, who went looking for them.
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Viewers have slammed the scenes as “gross’ and “vile”, so they might NOT be too happy to hear the storyline is set to continue AND step up a gear.
Appearing on Lorraine this morning (Wednesday 13 March), actress Louisa Clein revealed the plot is due to go to another level as she defended the controversial nature of the scenes.
Speaking to the Scottish presenter, Louisa said: “There is still a lot more of the story to tell; it’s certainly moving to a next level.”
She added: “I think it’s really important as an actor when you’re looking at a character like this to try and understand why she’s doing this, because one can judge a character very quickly and say this is a terrible thing that she’s doing – which, of course, it is – but I’ve tried to get some sense of understanding as to why she’s behaved the way she has and what’s going on with her.”
While she also revealed the storyline had been “tough” and a “real challenge” to film, she hopes it’s raising awareness of the subject matter.
“We don’t want to tell a romantic, titillating storyline,” she continued. “We are telling it slowly, and people don’t notice when it happens slowly.”
The actress, 39, went on to say that the storyline has prompted “a real mixed reaction, we’ve obviously had people who are incredibly shocked, which is right.
“We’ve had this mixture of people saying ‘please make it stop now, we’ve had enough’ but others saying ‘thank you for telling this story’.”
She also revealed that she has been contacted by victims of abuse and grooming, who have thanked her for bringing the issue to light.
Some viewers, however, have complained to Ofcom over the scenes between Maya and Jacob.
Do you think it’s an important story to tell? Or do you want it to end? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!