Top 10 Times EastEnders Went Too Far

Lucas Johnston was introduced to “EastEnders” in 2008, (to quote a source from the show) “a dodgy geezer with a murky past." Portrayed by Don Gilét, Lucas, a reformed addict-turned-Christian-preacher, was immediately interesting for viewers. But then the killing spree began, starting with accidentally shoving his wife Trina into a rake, and then deliberately offing several other established characters. The character’s descent from protagonist to antagonist did not go down well with some religious groups, who took issue with the “anti-Christian” story. Gilét did try to smooth things over, stating that the storyline wasn’t about religion. But when it was implied Johnson killed a dog, the proverbial really hit the fan–the Beeb received over a hundred complaints.

Sometimes, controversy can be a show’s best friend–particularly in the early days. This now-iconic moment is one such example; and set the standard for writers to make Christmas Day miserable for the residents of Albert Square. Just as the first “doof doofs” of the December 25th two-parter sounded, Den Watts handed his wife Angie… divorce papers. Today, that’s not particularly shocking–but in 1986, divorce was arguably a little more taboo. There may have been some complaints, yet these were drops in the ocean compared to the record setting 30.2 million stunned viewers who watched live. The debut episode garnered complaints of being “too violent,” but 38 years on, it’s this moment often-talked about as when “EastEnders” took the gloves off.

Whilst it is fictional, “EastEnders” writers can’t get away with bending their realism or verisimilitude. In 2012, Social Workers were furious at how young mother Lola’s baby was manhandled away by an antagonistic Child Protection Officer, and bodyguard Police officers. 556 complaints from professionals feeling their jobs are already stigmatised enough were lodged, but the show didn’t learn. Dramatic licence was completely chucked out again, in 2022, when Social Services–albeit friendlier, and without Police nor warrant this time–spontaneously, and technically illegally, investigated Linda’s home over an uncorroborated report, and physically restrained her whilst taking baby Annie to hospital for “a small bruise.” The British Association of Social Workers had had enough, and penned an open letter figuratively rapping writers’ hands for continual, unresearched misrepresentation.

In May 2007, following the shocking news of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance, “EastEnders” bosses scrapped a kidnap plot. The original storyline, for June broadcast, saw Dawn Swann’s newborn baby kidnapped by her love rival, Dr. May Wright, who had already tried to buy the child, months prior. For obvious reasons, the scripts were quickly revised, but what was shot wasn’t that much less contentious. Instead, Dr. May sedated the heavily pregnant Dawn, tied her to a bed and planned a forced caesarian–all in effort to steal the child instead. Despite attempting to avoid any, the episode still received nearly 200 complaints due to the pre-watershed showing such horrifying, and unnecessary, threats of violence. Perhaps, instead of rewriting, they should have hit delete.

In the UK, the watershed–when programming unsuitable for children can air from–is 9pm. But “EastEnders” rarely airs post-watershed meaning audiences can be any age–with some homes even considering “‘Enders” as appropriate family viewing. Conversely, if a particularly harrowing storyline is introduced, it risks being too adult for young minds. When the rekindled relationship between Tony, an adult, and 15 year-old stepdaughter Whitney was explored–including all the issues of underage grooming, consent and criminality that entails, naturally there was a large number of complaints. Angry parents felt this highly emotive topic was very inappropriate for children, especially since they innocently expected pre-watershed episodes not to go there. But, OFCOM disagreed–believing the show hadn’t exceeded the boundaries of acceptable, instead handling the distressing topic with sensitivity.

In 2001, “EastEnders” executive producer John Yorke began a story that made shockwaves beyond the soap: the marriage of Trevor and Little Mo. The latter had joined the soap with the rest of her fellow Slaters in 2000; estranged from her husband. But after Trevor debuted–spontaneously appearing on her doorstep, viewers quickly learned why. Yorke pushed this relationship drama to the extreme, incorporating subplots such as kidnapping, dehumanising Mo with mental and physical abuse, and worse. Even though many viewers and critics were appreciative to see this subverted issue on-screen–the convention of using Christmas as the setting for its most disturbing moments was lambasted by the British Standards Commission. The actors themselves, although unanimously praised, both admitted to feeling deeply affected too.

Almost across all six actors who have portrayed him, Ben Mitchell has seen controversy. Sensitive storylines centred on Ben have received praise in the show’s handling; like consulting with the NSPCC over 2007’s abuse storyline. Conversely, Ben’s antagonistic role in others have garnered complaints; such as Heather’s murder. In 2022, Ben became the centre of complaint once more–when he was the victim of assault of the most heinous kind. Although the scene played out off-screen, the implication and aftermath all aired, again, pre-watershed. Whilst many appreciated “EastEnders” facing another difficult subject, others found it tough to completely relate with such a contentious character. Lewis’ assault of Ben became the second most complained about episode in ten years, considered too dark or disturbing for family viewing.

In forty years, “EastEnders” has seen enough moments that arguably “jumped the shark.” 2008 unfolded one such plot that was deemed to be needlessly shocking, and lacked justification of raising awareness to any particular issue. In what was essentially a revenge plot, Max Branning was–literally–buried alive by his estranged wife, Tanya, thanks to his adultery with Daughter-in-Law Stacey. The affair later contributed to the shocking on-screen death of son Bradley, which would’ve been enough. But Max being drugged, loaded into a coffin and then buried, was something viewers complained as ridiculously unnecessary. OFCOM agreed that this “EastEnders” plot was more akin to a “dark psychological thriller than a pre-watershed drama,” and upheld accusations of violence being too much for the Easter broadcast.

Adoption is, albeit, a touchy subject that’s often reflected in the soaps as well. And, as art imitates life, reunions can go well or badly. For “EastEnders” it went well, and ended badly–so much so this plot gained thousands of complaints and even an online petition to reverse it entirely. The drama of Danielle Jones’ secretly being Ronnie Mitchell’s child, had riveted audiences to the point that many fans considered it one of their best storylines. But then, as Danielle’s secret was revealed, writers had her unenthusiastically bumped off. The “doof-doofs” sounded as Ronnie cradled her previously thought-to-be-but-now-actually dead long-lost daughter, and irate fans were furious that, after so much well-received promise, the storyline’s big finale was less well done, and more, well… done.

With over 13,000 complaints, this infamous storyline garnered the most of all soaps combined, ever. Of course, it’s “EastEnders” baby swap saga that ran viewers into 2011. For those who were out partying for New Years Eve 2010, both Ronnie and Kat gave birth within hours, to James and Tommy respectively. However, when baby James passed a day later, Ronnie–still also grieving Danielle– swapped her newborn with Tommy, and claimed him as her own. Ultimately, the plot would culminate in Ronnie being written out; imprisoned for child abduction. But the brisque and trivial handling of the very sensitive issue of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, especially for melodrama, hacked off fans–and reportedly caused arguments between the parent and non-parent scriptwriters within the soap, too.


Are there any moments that crossed the line for you, even though others thought it was typical soapdom? Let us know in the comments.