AFTER setting out on a path of violence and acting out, Ben Mitchell is caught up with the truth.
He finds comfort in bartender Lewis Butler next week in EastEnders, unaware of his true intentions.
5
5
In recent weeks, Ben Mitchell (portrayed by Max Bowden) has been projecting his anger on individuals who display homophobic behaviour.
As many may already suspect, this is a response from the trauma he sustains after watching his husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) suffer a brutal beating in January, 2022.
In scenes due on our screens next week, however, Ben’s vigilante actions are finally exposed to Callum and his mother Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) by Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) after he mistakenly lashes out at another victim.
Once the truth has unravelled, Ben has to face Kathy and Callum’s wrath as he defends his actions and shows no remorse.
Kathy then tries to show Callum support, but the police officer is at a loos when realising the extent of his husband’s actions.
Later on, Ben finds solace thanks to Lewis Butler (Cork actor Aidan O’Callaghan) and the pair get drunk together at Ruby’s.
During the evening out on the town, and in a drunken state, Ben comes clean to Lewis about the attacks – but how will the Prince Albert manager react?
Diehard EastEnders fans who follow every update on the show may already know that there’s trouble in store for Ben as the character will be involved in a heartbreaking male rape storyline.
more on eastenders
As soap bosses have already confirmed, Ben will be taken advantage of by the Irish newcomer.
For this upcoming storyline, EastEnders is working with charities in the likes of Survivors UK, Survivors Manchester and the Male Survivors Partnership to make sure the issue of male rape is covered sensitively.
“I think we’ve been able to really strive to tell the most truthful account we can, and I hope we can raise awareness and understanding on a topic that is rarely covered”, actor Max Bowden said about the plot.
He added: “I’m honoured to be given this opportunity to tell such an important story.”
While many praised EastEnders for the storyline, fans of rival soap Coronation Street fans fumed on social media as the topic of male rape has been covered in the cobbles in 2018.
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday on BBC One.
5
5
5
