Being a mother made the attack on Rhona even more powerful ..but I’ll never let my kids watch it
Actress Zoe speaks out as soap tackles harrowing abuse
IT’S a scene that will be one of the most disturbing and brutal in Emmerdale’s history.
After months of watching Rhona Goskirk trapped in an increasingly controlling relationship, viewers will tonight see her new husband Pierce Harris violently rape her on their wedding night.
It’s the third time viewers will see Pierce force himself on Rhona, but tonight’s scenes will be some of the most graphic shown on a soap.
For actress Zoe Henry, 43, it’s essential they push the boundaries to talk about marital rape.
And while she and husband Jeff Hordley, who plays Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle, won’t be letting her children Stanley, nine, and Violet, 12, watch the episode, Zoe says being a mum has made the issues of sexual consent even more poignant.
She was even more concerned after some fans on Twitter questioned whether the previous abuse was rape because they were in a relationship. That, she believes is unacceptable.
Zoe said: “With this, there really is no grey area – non-consensual sex is rape.
“It doesn’t matter if you know that person or you don’t know that person.
“In that earlier episode, a lot of the audience thought Pierce crossed the line but interestingly some thought he didn’t cross it because they were in a relationship.
“Where do you even begin to debate that? It is really, really difficult.
“That’s why this is hugely important. I am the mother of a 12-year-old girl and I know that in the next five years she will be growing up and moving on. It is more relevant than ever for me now.
“Kids are a lot more savvy than I ever was at that age. That can only be a good thing.
“I have made mistakes in my life. Had I been a little bit more knowledgeable, I wouldn’t have made them.
“You can only hope you pass that knowledge on.
“My kids won’t be watching the episode, because I would find it a bit difficult.
“But I will probably sit down and talk her through it. Soaps tell important stories about relevant things – non-consensual sex, underage sex, teenage pregnancy, they have covered them all.”
Tonight’s episode will push the boundaries.
For the past 18 months viewers have seen Pierce, played by Jonathan Wrather, become increasingly controlling and violent.
In January, he was seen forcing himself on Rhona on the sofa despite her saying she was “not in the mood”. Two weeks later he forced himself on her in the kitchen.
But unlike those previous scenes, tonight’s will be no holds barred to shock people about the reality endured by many women in abusive relationships.
Zoe was left covered in bruises from filming and wasn’t sure show chiefs would be able to air it before the watershed.
She said: “It was tough to film but we were prepared.
“The responsibility does weigh heavily on you to get it right. There are some stories I’ve read and women have been through awful ordeals for years on end.”
Zoe has had plenty of support for the harrowing plot from husband Jeff.
The couple met when they both studied at Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre and married in 2003.
Zoe said: “I think Jeff is thrilled that I have got a fantastic storyline to work on. I have been