EastEnders has shared an update on Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) amid a heartbreaking mental health storyline involving Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).
Ben left Walford last year after being arrested for fraud. Because the crime was committed in America, he is behind bars overseas.
As a result, it means the likes of Callum Highway (Tony Clay), Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) have to travel there to see him.
In tonight’s episode, Callum returned to Albert Square after spending a portion of the festive season in the US.
He had an update on Ben, and found Phil in the café to tell him.
Callum said that Ben is doing really well. He is ‘keeping a low profile’ and has even become interested in creative writing.
Callum left the conversation feeling unimpressed, due to Phil’s lack of reaction towards the news about his son.
This is because Phil is continuing to face a difficult battle with his mental health.
Yesterday, it was confirmed the storyline would eventually lead to the character attempting to end his life.
EastEnders has been working with charities The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure Phil’s story is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible.
A spokesperson for the soap went into further detail on the story, explaining: ‘Having withdrawn from his family and friends in recent months following Sharon’s newfound relationship with his cousin Teddy, the breakdown of his marriage to Kat, and Ben’s incarceration in America, viewers will continue to see Phil’s mental health decline as he attempts to hide his depression from those around him.
‘The storyline will follow Phil, and the characters closest to him, as Phil’s depression takes hold and his psychotic symptoms intensify, with the character experiencing hallucinations at the crisis point where he starts to believe his life is no longer worth living.’
Pictures recently showed the cast filming at a graveyard, with Phil looking upset and clearly struggling.
Show boss Chris Clenshaw continued, adding: ‘Phil’s depression storyline will focus on his decline in mental health and the subsequent psychotic symptoms, and the reaction of those around him, as we hope to demonstrate how mental health can affect anyone at any time.
‘Steve’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary and has thoughtfully portrayed the complex realties of depression, and the experience of psychotic symptoms, with compassion and understanding.’
