EXCLUSIVE: After being sexually assaulted by a childhood acquaintance, Lydia Dingle faces challenges on Emmerdale and decides to hide the horrible experience from her loved ones.
Karen Blick, who plays Lydia Dingle in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, opened up to Express.co.uk about being a part of a gruesome rape narrative that completely changes the course of her character’s life.
The Yorkshire-based soap’s Craig Reed, who was just introduced to viewers, has reconciled with Lydia, a fan favorite. Craig is played by Ben Addis.
Since they first met at a children’s home and lost a kid when Lydia was a teenager, the two have a rocky history.
In subsequent scenes, Craig expresses his genuine love for Lydia, and when he pushes himself on her, she is afraid.
She is unable to comprehend what happened after being raped by Craig at work since she is in such complete shock.
Lydia is completely damaged when Craig brings her home, and she hurries inside to hide from him.
As hot water streams over her in the shower, she tears in silence as she copes with the situation.
In an effort to conceal her trauma, Lydia chooses to store the clothing she was wearing at the time of the assault.
Actress Karen, who plays Lydia, detailed the challenging plot to Express.co.uk, stating: “It’s upsetting to hear and I noticed the look in James’ [Hooton] face and he was shaking his head and saying, “I didn’t expect that.”
In the television drama, James Hooton portrays Lydia’s husband Sam Dingle. The marriage is one of the most enduring in the community.
We both had tears in our eyes, and it was an intense reaction—certainly the strongest one I’ve ever felt in response to a prospective story—Karen continued.
“We discussed with Jane Hudson how Craig would be introduced as a figure from Lydia’s past and what would occur and how it would happen.
“When we left the meeting, our immediate reaction was, “OK, buckle up. We want to handle this major issue in a compassionate, realistic, and proper manner because it is so important.
She continued, “This affects the lives of so many people, and the first thing I did was visit the Rape Crisis website to give myself some context and data to think about.
I did spoke to Rape Crisis employees and meet with ladies who had similar situations to Lydia.
Will Lydia eventually tell Sam about the rape or will she go to the police?
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