The episode was part of Whitney's exit storyline, with McGarty announcing her departure the previous year. The episode marked the return of Palmer, who had not appeared in EastEnders since 2019. Palmer was excited to be reprising the role and McGarty enjoyed working with her again. The episode also featured the debut of Campbell's character Britney. McGarty teased that Britney's arrival and Whitney's desire to help her could cause trouble in her relationship with Zack. The end of the episode features a stunt that results in Whitney being run over by a car after saving Britney. McGarty revealed that she loves to do stunts and often asks if she can do them herself. Despite being set in Milton Keynes, the episode was filmed in the London Borough of Barnet.
The episode received negative feedback from residents of Milton Keynes as they felt that it was an inaccurate and insulting portrayal of their city. Many fans expressed their disappointment with the depiction and remarked that they would complain to the BBC. The controversy also gained attention from the MP for Milton Keynes North, Ben Everitt, who was unhappy with the city's portrayal in the soap. Everitt believed that EastEnders should apologise for the negative depiction and offered to host EastEnders producers so that they could see the best of the city, suggesting that they write another storyline about Milton Keynes. Everitt explained that he would always stand up for his city, and he also mentioned the depiction in a debate in the House of Commons. Some viewers enjoyed the episode, with some believing that the depiction was partially realistic. Critics praised the return of Bianca, whilst fans were divided over Whitney's actions.
Plot
The episode takes places over five weeks. At the beginning, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and her fiancé Zack Hudson (James Farrar) visit Whitney's adoptive mother, Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), in Milton Keynes, following Bianca's split from her partner, Terry Spraggan (Terry Alderton). Whitney reveals to Bianca that she is pregnant with Zack's baby, which Bianca is happy about. Whitney asks Bianca to not tell her half-sister, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), that she is pregnant, as she is struggling to conceive via IVF, which Bianca agrees to. Whitney and Zack meet Britney Wainwright (Lola Campbell) and her half-brother Taylor Wainwright (Mason Godfrey), Bianca's young neighbours. Bianca explains that they often come to her flat where she feeds them because their mother, Keeley Wainwright (Kirsty J Curtis), is neglectful towards them.
Whitney becomes concerned when she sees Britney searching through a bin looking for food. Bianca takes Taylor and Britney in when they are locked out in the rain by Keeley. Angry by the neglect, Whitney confronts Keeley and offers support; Keeley rejects this and tells Whitney to mind her business. Whitney also meets Keeley's partner, Vince (Francis Tucker), who disturbs Whitney with his comment about Britney. Whitney then goes to the school that Britney is meant to be attending and meets the headteacher, Ruth Bayford (Rebecca Clow), who reveals that Britney has never attended. Ruth explains that Britney was withdrawn from school during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not return for secondary education. Ruth calls pupils in this position "ghost children" and expresses her sadness that schools and social services do not have the resources to find them.
Zack gets frustrated as he wants to return to Walford but Whitney wants to help Britney. Thinking that Whitney is putting off returning due to not wanting to tell Sonia about the pregnancy, Bianca and Zack invite Sonia over. Whitney is angry when she finds out that they told her about her pregnancy. Sonia helps Britney when she comes to the flat with an injury on her leg. Whitney assumes that Keeley has been using Britney as a drug runner and confronts her. This leads to a fight where Bianca throws a brick through Keeley's window. Britney runs from the confrontation and tells Whitney that no one wants her. Whitney promises to be there for her and to protect her. Britney then steps in front of a speeding car so Whitney pushes her out of the way, being run over in the process. The episode ends with Sonia, Zack and Bianca trying to help and calling an ambulance for an unconscious Whitney.
Production
Shona McGarty (pictured) portrays Whitney Dean, which the episodes focuses on.
The episode was announced in January 2024, with it being revealed that it would be the first episode of a two-part special focussing on Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty).[1][2] McGarty had announced her departure from the soap in 2023, with it being suggested that the episode plot could be the catalyst of Whitney's exit storyline.[3] The episode originally aired on Monday 4 March 2024 at 7:30PM on BBC One.[4] The episode differs from the usual EastEnders format as it shows events from across five weeks.[5] Despite being set elsewhere, the episodes were filmed in the London borough of Barnet.[6][7][8]
It was announced that same month that the episode would feature the return of Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson, the adoptive mother of Whitney, who first appeared on the soap in 1993.[1][9][10] The episode features Whitney and her partner, Zack Hudson (James Farrar), visiting Bianca in Milton Keynes, following Bianca's split from her partner, Terry Spraggan (Terry Alderton).[1] In the EastEnders universe, Zack and Whitney had visited Bianca in January 2024, with the episode showing what has happened over the preceding five weeks and revealing what has kept them away for so long.[5] Bianca's return allowed the soap to show updates on Bianca's life, which also featured a reunion between the character and her half-sister Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy).[5][11] Bianca had been depicted as living in Milton Keynes since her departure from Albert Square in 2014.[6]
The episode marked the return of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer (pictured)
At the time of the announcement, Palmer had already began filming, with it being reported that the episode would mark the beginning of her "short stint".[1]EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw said of the return, "I'm thrilled to welcome the fabulous Patsy back to the iconic role of Bianca Jackson. Although the character was last seen on-screen in 2019, Bianca still remains a fan favourite. We know our audiences will be thrilled at her return as she is thrust into the heart of the drama..."[1] Palmer was "excited" to be reprising the role of Bianca, explaining that it was a "pleasure" to return due to the soap opera holding "such a special place" in her heart.[1] Palmer called her return to the soap a "fresh experience" in "exactly the same place", explaining, "It always feels new - you always want to go back with a fresh head. You never really want to go back with the same head - I'm not here with the same mindset that I was when I left."[4] Palmer and McGarty were both very excited about Palmer's return.[12] McGarty enjoyed working with Palmer and felt like she was 16 years old again.[12] She added that Palmer had a "LA, Malibu glow" which she had brought to the soap set.[12] McGarty believed that the episode would give viewers a reminder about Whitney and Bianca's relationship.[12]
The episode also featured the debut of Lola Campbell as new character Britney Wainwright.[3] Speaking of Campbell's casting, Clenshaw revealed that he and his colleagues were "thrilled" to welcome Campbell into the cast, calling her "immensely talented".[3] Clenshaw also revealed that Zack and Whitney would be "thrust into the heart of the drama" due to Whitney becoming concerned for Britney's wellbeing.[3] Campbell had previously done an impression of an "iconic" EastEnders moment where Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) tells Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) that she is mother, which led to Campbell being cast in the comedy-drama film Scrapper due to impressing the production team with the impression.[3] Britney was described as being a child neighbour of Bianca who is being neglected by her mother, Keeley Wainwright (Kirsty J Curtis).[3] Whitney forms a bond with the child and becomes concerned for her welfare.[3] McGarty revealed to Inside Soap that Britney reminds Whitney of herself at that age, and that she feels sorry for her and wants to help and take "her under her wing".[12]
The episode concludes with Whitney being hit by a car when she saves Britney's life.[5] McGarty explained that Whitney wants to make sure that Britney is safe and has a heart-to-heart with her that ends in "tears" and "chaos" due to Whitney being hit by a car.[12] McGarty had previously teased that there would be a stunt in the run up to Whitney's departure.[3] The actress explained that she "absolutely" loves doing stunts, calling them her "favourite thing to do".[4] The actress added, "All the stunt guys and women on this show always try and pull me back a little bit because I'm always saying 'Can't I just do that' as I'm desperate to do stunts when it's safe for me to do so".[4] Following the crash, Whitney and her baby "pull through", but the situation with Britney threatens to drive Zack and Whitney apart due to Zack not wanting to support Whitney's "crusade" on helping the young girl.[5] Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap revealed that Whitney's near-death experience leads her to question her future, hinting that it could possibly change the course of her life.[12]
Reception and controversy
General reception
Following the announcement of Bianca's return, Joe Anderton from Digital Spy called Bianca Palmer's "famous role" and joked that "Luckily Ricky's not around to be screamed at".[1] Laura-Jayne Tyler from Inside Soap commented that Whitney's hit-and-run was a scene that would "haunt" her "nightmares".[13] Lewis Knight from Radio Times blamed Whitney's "kind heart" for throwing her into "harm's way".[5] Chloe Timms from Inside Soap reported on how fans were divided on Whitney putting her baby in danger, with some understanding Whitney wanting to help Britney and others criticising her actions.[14] Timms questioned whether Whitney would be "destined" to be a single mother if Zack did not decide to foster Britney with her.[14] Timms also noted on how fans generally enjoyed the return of "icon" Bianca.[14]
Controversy
The episodes received criticism from fans of the soap in Milton Keynes.[15] Danny Fullbrook from BBC News reported on how local fans were unhappy with the depiction of the city.[16] Due to the prominent fan reaction, several residents of Milton Keynes were interviewed by BBC News, who gave negative feedback about the episode and expressed disappointment and disgust in addition to believing that the depiction was inaccurate.[16][8] Fullbrook wrote that "Seeing your hometown featured on TV would usually be a source of pride, but not for Milton Keynes residents who tuned into EastEnders this week".[16] He also commented on how Britney was described as not being in school but instead "roaming the estate, carting drugs around, eating out of bins".[16] A writer from itv.com wrote that viewers were "shocked" to see "rundown flats used as the backdrop to the episodes" despite them not being filmed in Milton Keynes.[17]
Angie Quinn from MyLondon wrote that fans had "been treated to special episodes taking place outside of Walford", but noted that "not all viewers were bowled over" by them.[2] Quinn called the episodes "exciting" and believed that they were "a hit" with fans, but also noted that some fans were "rattled" at how Milton Keynes was portrayed.[2] Quinn highlighted "the sad contents of [Bianca's] nearly-empty" fridge and how Zack's car was "vandalised" by a group of "rowdy youths" quickly after arriving in the "seemingly grotty" area of Milton Keynes.[2] Quinn also called Britney "mouthy".[2] Sally Murrer from Northampton Chronicle & Echo also wrote how fans were annoyed by the "grim" depiction of Milton Keynes, with Murrer commenting on the "dingy block of flats", the fact that Bianca was shown throwing a cardboard box of rubbish over the balcony, and the "rundown buildings".[6][18] Murrer also called Keely and Vince "grubby, drug-addled pair of neighbours" who neglect Britney and use her as a drugrunner.[6] Murrer also commented on how the episode concludes "just as miserably" due to Whitney being run over.[6]
In response to the criticism, EastEnders press office confirmed that the episodes were not filmed in Milton Keynes, and a spokesperson from the soap's press office said that they would not be commenting on whether they believed the episodes were a fair portrayal of Milton Keynes.[6] Some Milton Keynes residents remarked that they would be complaining to the BBC about the depiction of the city.[7] Despite the criticism, some fans expressed on social media that they enjoyed the episodes, with some believing that the soap was "true to life" with certain parts of Milton Keynes.[2][6] Destination Milton Keynes, the city's official tourism service, noted that whilst it was up to EastEnders to chose how they portray Milton Keynes, they defended the city, highlighting the "thriving, multi-cultural community" and calling it one of the "fastest-growing and most prosperous cities in the UK".[8]
Response from Ben Everitt
MP Ben Everitt expressed disappointment over the depiction of Milton Keynes in the episodes and believed that EastEnders should apologise.
Ben Everitt - the MP for Milton Keynes North - was also unhappy with the portrayal of Milton Keynes, calling the characterisation "completely out of order".[7][19] Following the broadcast of the episodes, Everitt said, "Like many across Milton Keynes, I was disappointed to see that the BBC soap opera depict our great city as run down, dilapidated and grotty. It is far from that...If [the producers] have to find places in London to depict a fictitious portrayal of 'gritty' MK, then they're having a laugh".[15][17] Everitt also called on the BBC to apologise for its portrayal of the city.[20] The MP added:
"Of course, fans of the show will know the character of Bianca well, a fiery red head who as Patsy Palmer herself said, is "not a happily ever after kind of girl." But to suggest that Milton Keynes is the ideal place for Bianca to be hard on her luck, is totally and utterly wrong. If I were Bianca, I too would move out of Albert Square. Since 1985 the 15 residential housed square has seen over 136 deaths. [...] Why anyone would continue to live somewhere that tarnished with tragedy, and where better to move for a better life than Milton Keynes? [...] Bianca would know this, she's lived here since 2014. Seen our amazing area go from towns to city. [...] All jokes aside, it's a gritty show, depicting real, gritty, lives, and while it is fiction it often aims to address powerful topics in almost real-life storylines. This version of MK is far from that, and producers owe an apology to the people of MK for this negative portrayal."[15]
Everitt stated that he would contact EastEnders producers to suggest writing a storyline about "some of the brilliant parts of Milton Keynes", with the MP telling the BBC that he is "quite positive" about the city and wants to show its "good side".[7] Everitt also said that he would be "happy" to "host" the soap producers if they came to Milton Keynes in order to show them "the best" of the city, with the MP adding that they owe it to the people of Milton Keynes to show our city in its true colours."[15][17] Everitt also said that whilst the depiction was not a big political issue, it was still important for him to have the city represented fairly, explaining, "It's fiction, it's a soap opera, it's just the telly... I'm just not happy it's Milton Keynes".[8] In reference to the episodes, Everitt wrote, "You want some, do ya? Eh?' I'll always stand up for [Milton Keynes]" on Twitter.[7] The MP also criticised the depiction in Parliament when speaking during a debate, telling the House of Commons, "Milton Keynes is a beautiful, vibrant city that is going places - to everyone except, perhaps, to everybody than the producers of last night's EastEnders".[2]EastEnders press office refused to comment when they were forwarded Everitt's views.[15]
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