Beloved Emmerdale character Mary Goskirk is set for a devastating ordeal, according to the actress who plays her, Louise Jameson. The acclaimed star has confirmed that her alter-ego will be caught in the crossfire of evil Celia Daniels' (Jaye Griffiths) reign of terror, in a storyline that tackles grooming and modern slavery head-on.
A Family in Peril as Celia's Grip Tightens
Viewers have watched in horror as Celia's sinister control has extended over April Windsor's (Amelia Flanagan) family, with threats of violence including cut throats and burned houses. Mary, however, returns home completely unaware of the danger surrounding her loved ones. Louise Jameson, speaking exclusively to Metro, explained the character's oblivious arrival. 'Nobody has texted her, nobody has told her while she was away,' she said. 'So she comes in going, "What's going on?" She comes in with that journalist curiosity – which was her profession, of course.'
The atmosphere Mary walks into is immediately strange, and she quickly senses that something is terribly wrong. Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) and the rest of the clan know that Mary will now be considered 'fair game' by the predatory Celia. This realisation sets the stage for what Jameson describes as a 'heartbreaking scenario' that threatens to tear the family apart forever.
'Hurtful on an Enormous Scale': The Devastating Consequences
While the audience is privy to the secret, Mary remains in the dark – a classic dramatic device that Louise Jameson compared to Shakespeare. 'What the show has cleverly done is a device that Shakespeare uses, putting the audience in possession of the secret…' she noted. This lack of insight leads to a triggering event with catastrophic results.
Although specific plot details remain under wraps, Jameson did not hold back in describing the impact. She revealed that what happens next is 'hurtful on an enormous scale'. The veteran actress, whose career spans iconic roles in Doctor Who and EastEnders, praised the ambitious nature of the plot. 'I think they've really pushed the boat out, the writers,' she said. 'It's an epic story along Greek tragedy lines.'
Praise for a 'Pertinent' Story and Intimate Fandom
Jameson admitted to being as gripped by the unfolding drama as any viewer, despite having filmed some of the scenes herself. 'I've felt my heartbeat go up and I've cried along with characters, which is ridiculous because sometimes I've seen the scenes shot,' she confessed. She emphasised the importance of depicting such a dangerous issue safely on television to 'open debate and raise consciousness'.
The actress also reflected on the unique connection soap actors have with their audience. 'For many viewers, soap characters are not family but for some people it's as near as damn it,' she said, highlighting the 'intimate' and 'gentle' nature of soap fandom compared to other genres. She takes great pride in how deeply fans have taken Mary to heart, a character she loves for her complexity and lack of filter.
'I love the fact that Mary's so complex,' Jameson shared. 'She's rude and vulgar and caring and intelligent and daring and empathetic and vicious, sometimes.' She expressed enthusiasm for exploring these facets further, provided Mary survives the traumatic events that are about to unfold. The future for one of Emmerdale's most universally loved residents now hangs in the balance.
