KEEGAN’S HORRIBLE HISTORY

EastEnders’ Zack Morris on the brutal plotlines that have turned his character into a wiser man

One difference between real life and soapland (in addition to the disproportionate number of serial killers in the latter, obviously) is the speed with which sworn enemies make up. While most of us hold grudges for years, swearing undying hate for our enemies, soap characters who have gone through the mill (and, in a lot of cases, under it and over it, too) are capable of sublime acts of forgiveness.

Take Corrie’s Steve and Leanne: one of their screaming matches could drown out an FA Cup final. Yet since Oliver’s tragic diagnosis, they have united in their grief. Please don’t tell me they are going to get so close again that they sleep together and Leanne has yet another ‘accidental’ pregnancy.

Emmerdale’s Charity and Cain blew so hot and cold that you never knew whether to reach for a duvet or a pack of ice when they were having a humdinger. More recently, Mandy’s fury at Paul coming back into her life quickly turned to affection.

As for the EastEnders… well, you can sleep with your brother’s wife, shoot your mate, and all will be forgiven. It’s ’cos it’s fairm-ly, innit?

Since arriving in Albert Square three years ago, EastEnders delinquent Keegan has been involved in some seriously hard-hitting storylines, including rape accusations, revenge porn, drug addiction, and one about knife crime that saw him slashed on the neck and his friend Shakil murdered in a gang attack.

While some of the brutal scenes left viewers shocked, the actor who plays Keegan says it’s vital the BBC soap portrays life as it is for many youngsters growing up in London.

‘These storylines are very important,’ says Zack Morris, 21. ‘EastEnders is about people who live in the East End, so to ignore issues related to the area would be an injustice. Take the knife-crime storyline – our writers realised there was a problem and saw an opportunity to highlight it. EastEnders is a show of influence, and I heard the storyline was shown in schools. It gives a more real view than statistics. The more real stuff we do the better.’

Playing a tearaway has been refreshing for former child actor Zack. ‘To start with, Keegan was the cheeky, rebellious friend of Shakil. I loved that he was so different to me. Plus, playing a baddie is fun.’

Yet Keegan has matured, due to the horrors he’s experienced and through marrying Tiffany last year. ‘The big, impactful events have taken their toll on him,’ Zack says. ‘He seems wiser, and he wants to do well. He’s a complex and interesting character.’

Zack hopes Keegan’s growing maturity will be inspirational. ‘From the audience’s perspective, what he does can be educational, which I can personally relate to,’ he says.

This week Zack appears in Secrets From The Square with host Stacey Dooley and his co-stars Maisie Smith (Tiffany) and Lorraine Stanley (Keegan’s mum, Karen).

On the show, Zack tells how earning a role on the soap transformed his life. ‘Being in the public eye from a young age has made me mature in ways I wouldn’t have been without it,’ he says. ‘I’ve met people who have the same passions as me, which has helped to educate me. It’s also made me realise how lucky I am to have had regular work from the age of 18.

‘What’s so cool about a show like this is the relationships you build with the actors who play your onscreen family. I don’t see those guys as just co-stars. We look out for each other.’

Zack is back at work under social distancing guidelines, after filming on EastEnders was halted in March. ‘It’s different,’ he admits. ‘It’s new for everyone – we’re all going through it together. We just have to adjust and learn. But I like learning...’ ■

Tom Latchem Secrets From The Square, Monday, 8pm, BBC1.