Nina  Wadia, who plays Zainab in the hit soap, has spoken about her current domestic violence storyline and the impact that she wants it to have with the general public.

Wadia told BBC News: “I think the idea behind showing a strong woman like Zainab changing like this is to show that it can happen to even the strongest of women. They can change and they can be manipulated – especially if they’re isolated from their friends and family. The manipulator can take advantage, so it’s to prove that it can even happen to people like her.” She continued,
“To be honest, if even one woman rings that Action Line at the end of the show and there’s some difference made to her life, I’ll feel like we’ve done our job,” she continued. “It is a serious issue and I’m glad it’s being highlighted.

“I hope that it wakes anyone up – not just women, I know that there are abused men out there as well. So if it gives anyone the strength to leave a relationship like that, we’ll have done our job.”

Viewers have been watching Zainab struggle against Yusef , played by Ace Bhatti, as he trys to gain total control of Zainab’s life. In upcoming episodes this week Yusef tries to take Kamil away from her knowing that this is the only way to manipulate her into doing exactly what he wants. Zainab calls on the only person she knows that can help her, Masood, but is he too preoccupied with his new relationaship with Jane to help Zainab.  

We will have to wait and see.

Check out our full Eastenders Christmas storyline round up.