Keegan struggles to cope
AS SHOCK WAVES CONTINUE TO REVERBERATE, ACTOR ZACK MORRIS ADMITS THAT TRAUMATISED KEEGAN IS STILL STRUGGLING…
Keegan may have survived the brutal stabbing which killed his best mate Shakil, but living on in the wake of such a trauma is no easy task for the troubled teen. This week, while grieving Carmel is determined to bring to an end the mindless violence which robbed her of her beloved boy, Keegan remains an angry young man. And Zack Morris, who plays him, admits his agonised alter ego faces a long and difficult journey as he battles to come to terms with Shaki’s tragic loss…
How is what’s happened to Shakil set to change Keegan?
We’re going to see a very different Keegan. He’s not very good at showing emotion and he keeps things under wraps. Things just bubble and bubble up until he’s about to erupt – which is what happened when his father Mitch left. There was a build-up of emotion and he lashed out. So he’s a lot more emotional – there’s a lot less bravado and front coming off him. This is not something you can just move on from.
Have you been enjoying playing another side to him?
I have, it’s been interesting. Every time we get a new storyline there are new things to work at and find out about your character. You have to put yourself in that person’s shoes, and with a plot like this, that’s going to be hard. But as an actor, it’s a privilege to be doing this storyline.
What’s Keegan been going through since Shakil’s death?
He’s very upset and angry, and he’s feeling really distant. He’s confused about what happened and how people are just moving on. He’s very frustrated.
Does he blame himself for what happened to his friend?
Yeah, he blames himself and also Mick. When Keegan was found, he was trying to say Shaki’s name, but Mick didn’t realise. In Keegan’s mind, if Mick had heard him, the outcome might have been different. But there’s definitely a bit of remorse from Keegan. When he was in the hospital he said that if he hadn’t nicked the bike, Shakil would still be alive. He blames himself for that.
What advice would you give him, if you were a mate of his?
Think before you act – that’s the main thing. But it’s not just for Keegan, it’s for everyone. With this storyline it shows how these things can happen over something so petty. It’s not that we did it to the extreme – this is happening in real life. Keegan needs to realise that every action has a consequence.
Have you been enjoying working with Bonnie Langford (Carmel)?
Yeah, it’s great. Bonnie’s great as an actress and as a person. She’s a legend! It’s been nice to work so closely with new people. I’ve worked with Bonnie before, but we haven’t had in-depth scenes together, so it’s been good.
How did you approach the storyline when you first found out about it?
I did some research online and watched documentaries. The show has also been working closely with Brooke Kinsella [formerly Eastenders’ Kelly Taylor, whose brother Ben was fatally stabbed in 2008] and the Ben Kinsella Trust, and they’ve been really helpful. As an actor you want to be as realistic as possible.
Why is Eastenders a good platform for this kind of story, do you think?
Because people of all ages watch it.
Kids, adults, mums and dads. I watched
Eastenders growing up, but I didn’t realise how vast the show’s audience is until I was in it. The recognition I get on the street shows how many people watch. Loads of people will see the story and hopefully it will really hit home.