INTRODUCED to BBC One viewers in 2019, Gray Atkins has progressively shown his true colours.
EastEnders actress Shona McGarty addressed backlash regarding his storyline, agreeing that it should have ended sooner.
Discovering evidence that Gray (played by Toby-Alexander Smith) is responsible for his first wife Chantelle’s death, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) has set out on a quest to expose him.
She received the unexpected help of Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Deol) who was just as suspicious of the lawyer.
This week, Kheerat rattled Gray by sending him messages under Chantelle’s name in a bid to push him to a confession and take him down.
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Meanwhile, Whitney reported Gray to the police herself for Chantelle’s murder.
Following this, fans have questioned whether Kheerat and Whitney could have approached the authorities sooner after learning the truth.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Shona addressed the backlash targeting the storyline.
She claimed that both characters could have turned to the police at an earlier time.
“Well I think, for Whitney, she thought Kheerat was her best bet”, Shona said.
“From the outside looking in, he’s strong and quite clever and she knows that Kheerat has a relationship with people like the Mitchells, especially Phil.”
BBC One viewers know that Kheerat shares a business with the Walford tough man.
Shona added: “He knows what he’s talking about and the police didn’t do anything anyway, which leaves them in danger.”
“I mean, maybe they should have gone to the police sooner, but then it wouldn’t be EastEnders, would it?”
Shona went on to claim that her character and Kheerat “knew they needed evidence” before exposing Gray, “and the only way to do that is to continue with this Miss Marple thing.”
“That’s why she’s been questioning other characters and things like that, trying to piece things together.”
“She doesn’t think he’ll get caught so she believes this is the only way to take him down.”
But while she has joined forces with him, Whitney does have a disapproving opinion of Kheerat’s ways as he’s set to confront Gray in a life-or-death fight.
“She thinks Kheerat is being really stupid. It’s surprising and a bit shocking coming from Kheerat as he’s meant to be the clever one with the brains.”
As Kheerat continues to get involved, Whitney believes he is getting too close for comfort.
“Kheerat does assure Whitney that all is in hand and to trust him but she can’t help but worry that Gray could kill him if this all goes wrong.”
Shona continued: “Whitney thinks it’s a very, very silly thing to do.”
In tonight’s EastEnders, Kheerat and Whitney are horrified when they learn that Gray has been violent with Chelsea as she refused to breastfeed their son Jordan.
Meeting up at the Vic to talk over their next step, they are spotted looking very close by a shocked Karen Taylor.
Can they help Chelsea get to safety unscathed?
