“It was scary filming in the Vic!”

Louisa talks us through her Eastenders return so far…

It’s the first opportunity that we’ve had to speak with Louisa since Ruby’s hard-hitting plot aired – and the star tells us that the storyline has been a real eye-opener for her…

What has the response to Ruby’s ordeal been like from the viewers?

So many women have messaged me on social media and sent emails to my agent to personally say thank you for doing the story. When I was in the show before, there was no direct contact other than fan mail, so to receive that response, it just goes to show that people have really bought into it.

Did you feel pressure when filming the big reveal episode in the Vic?

Everyone in the show will tell you that filming in the Vic is scary – even people that I’m in awe of like Steve Mcfadden [who plays Phil] and Letitia Dean [aka Sharon] say it. Everyone is staring at Ruby at the end, and my knees went weak. I was so nervous – but some people don’t really understand ‘the Vic fear’ when everyone looks at you!

Has doing this storyline made you reassess your own views surrounding the issue of consent?

It’s led my own circle of friends to talk to me about their experiences, and now they’re asking me questions about things we’ve been through. It’s not something you discuss – you’d think our generation would be the one to discuss it, but we don’t. I’ve never had those conversations with my friends before.

Will Ruby be sticking around in Walford?

I’m there for a while. We have our new boss [Kate Oates] now, so after Christmas it will be all her stuff. I’ve met with Kate and she’s lovely – everyone is excited and there is a really good atmosphere. John

Yorke [Eastenders’ executive consultant] brought me back, so I’m very grateful for that.

If Ruby’s father Johnny Allen was still around in Albert Square, do you think things would be different?

There would’ve been a few more murders, I’m guessing! My first Eastenders experience was me and Billy Murray [aka Johnny], and of course Lacey [Turner, who plays Stacey]. Being here without him at first was really strange. But I don’t think that they can bring another character back from the dead!

Are you looking forward to having some time off over Christmas?

I’m going to Hawaii on Boxing Day, which I booked before coming back to

Eastenders. I want to see lots of the island and I’m hoping to do some watersports and hiking – so I’ll probably be really tanned in March when I’m on screen!