EastEnders star Toby Alexander-Smith talks about Gray's future after dark domestic abuse storyline scenes
EastEnders star Toby Alexander-Smith has spoken about the future of his character Gray Atkins on the soap, who is currently involved in a domestic abuse storyline with his wife Chantelle (Jessica Plummer).
Recently, viewers have seen Gray and Chantelle going to couples' counselling over his behaviour, but his abusive side emerged again after they returned from their second honeymoon earlier this month.
Speaking to Digital Spy on the red carpet at the National Television Awards, Alexander-Smith revealed he doesn't know where the storyline is heading after Gray's most recent actions.
"To be honest I don't know where it's heading so I can't possibly say," he said. "Obviously we've seen Gray's had a bit of therapy that doesn't seem to be working.
"So moving forward it's just going back to their day-to-day routine and how they're actually going to work out this awful issue happening in their relationship."
Discussing his character's feelings, Alexander-Smith continued: "I think he wants to change his ways. He's intelligent enough to change his ways.
"But it's his self-entitlement, his stubbornness, he's been this way for such a long time it's whether he can actually do that.
"I think there's a part of him that does want to change, but whether or not he can, we'll see."
The actor also spoke about the difficulties of filming such dark scenes. "They are difficult they are very, very difficult," he said.
"Obviously a lot of it stems from the research that we have to do. Jess and I have worked together now for about a year so we've built that trust and that relationship chemistry that we need," he continued.
"They are really hard, but we talk through the scenes with the director as well and we make sure we that we're paying due diligence to the scene, and obviously Jess' safety and everything has to come first as well."
Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk) or Women’s Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk). Both charities run the 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline, 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
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