An EastEnders storyline will be the basis for a forthcoming BBC Three documentary, as Joel Marshall’s (Max Murray) behaviour takes another dark turn.
The special, which will debut on the channel and iPlayer later in the year, will explore the worrying growth of misogynistic attitudes amongst young men, and how it is spreading through online communities.
Featuring contributions from members of the EastEnders cast, it comes as themes from the critically acclaimed Netflix drama Adolescence have begun to be explored.
The series followed a police investigation into the murder of a schoolgirl by one of her teenage classmates, portrayed by newbie Owen Cooper.
Stephen Graham received high praise for his Eddie role, the father of troubled Jamie Miller.
EastEnders’ story is mirroring events of Adolescence
The show flew up the charts and became the most watched UK series ever on the streaming platform.
It went on to spark hugely important conversations about young people in today’s society that have reached the ears of the government and scored 66,300,000 views within 11 days of debut.
A recap of Joel’s vile behaviour
It became immediately clear when Joel and dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) arrived in Walford alongside Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) earlier this year that they were hiding a fair few skeletons in their closet.
They couldn’t return to their home in Australia, as Joel had upskirted a pupil in his class, and Ross had paid her family $50,000 in exchange for their silence.
He’s since enacted havoc on the residents of Albert Square, impregnating Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) and introducing naïve new mate Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) to dangerous adult content online.
Later, Joel showed Tommy videos made by a disgusting influencer, who degrades women.
Joel thought this was an appropriate way to talk about the opposite sex, branding his own mum a ‘slapper’, talking about how she abandoned him as a child.
He also sexually assaulted a passenger on the London Underground in an utterly vile move, with Vicki paying off the victim.
Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) became his most recent target, as he accessed her SecretCam (Enders’ OnlyFans dupe) content online and then shared it.
While no police investigation took place and he denied responsibility, his attitude towards her has pretty much confirmed his involvement.
After attempting to slap Avani, Vicki marched him home. He asserted that if she pushes him further, she’d find out that a ‘proper slapping would do [her] the world of good.’
Joel’s story set to worsen
A source told The Sun that, with the storyline set to take centre stage this autumn, the documentary was commissioned to educate viewers on an issue that is rapidly becoming worse.
‘Executives felt it was a good point to what’s happening on EastEnders, to open up discussion on this incredibly important topic,’ they said.‘It will feature cast members from the soap and its airing will coincide with a linked storyline that will be seen on the main show later this year.’
