EastEnders’ Diane Parish admits Denise’s psychosis storyline was “daunting”

EastEnders’ Diane Parish admits Denise’s psychosis storyline was “daunting”

As a long-time admirer of EastEnders, I must say that this year has been a rollercoaster ride for the iconic soap opera, with the aftermath of The Six’s Christmas actions still echoing through Walford. Amongst the chaos, Denise Fox’s (Diane Parish) struggle with her actions and subsequent mental health issues have been particularly poignant and powerful to watch.


For over a year now, EastEnders has been filled with significant plot developments, and the aftermath of The Six’s Christmas actions is still creating ripples in the storyline.

Among the six characters we observed, it was undeniably Denise Fox (Diane Parish) who grappled significantly with her actions. I found myself deeply moved by her ordeal, as she not only faced the heartbreaking reality of her husband Jack’s (Scott Maslen) affair with Stacey (Lacey Turner), but also endured a challenging stay in a mental institution following her commitment.

When questioned about delving into that significant plotline for a cherished character, Parish replied, ” frankly, I was truly grateful to have been given the chance; mental health is a crucial issue. Yet, it was also somewhat intimidating.

I aimed to give it proper treatment since it’s a significant matter that’s affecting families globally right now. It leaves a negative impact on each and every family.

EastEnders’ Diane Parish admits Denise’s psychosis storyline was “daunting”

She added: “However, venturing into a realm of psychosis and comprehending that was like stepping away from myself in a sense, which felt quite isolating. Consequently, it was challenging to break free from this state. Yet, if I’m honest, there were moments when I was thoroughly enjoying myself while engaged in it.

As a devoted fan, I must confess that the moment when Denise was sectioned stood out to me particularly poignantly upon rewatching. What truly shattered my heart was observing the raw emotions portrayed by Scott and Zaraah. Since Denise is oblivious to the surrounding circumstances, engrossed in her personal reality of the situation, it’s their reactions that offer a profound insight into the emotional turmoil that unfolds.

What truly brought these moments to life and made them poignant was witnessing the impact on the other characters. Each person contributes, so you can’t carry this alone.

Maslen also pointed out: “Everyone was focused on what had to be accomplished, and that’s the lesson we’ve taken away, I believe that’s why we’re in a good place now. Since each person works differently, it can be easy to lose focus in these tasks.

However, once you grasp that it functions optimally under specific conditions and that you’re an instrumental part of this process – it’s similar to composing music. You might be the brass section, or perhaps the strings, but either way, we harmonize and create beautiful melodies together. And we’ve been doing so effectively because we pay close attention to the narrative.

Currently, it’s uncertain what lies ahead for Jack and Denise, but we can confirm that their long-lasting soap opera will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a grand live episode.

The announcement was made just days before the NTAs, with the episode set to air in February 2025.

In reference to the upcoming special live episode, executive producer Chris Clenshaw mentioned: “Though we’re tightly guarding the specifics of the 40th, I can assure you that it promises a captivating week packed with unexpected turns that will indelibly alter Albert Square and the lives of its residents for good.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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2024-09-13 12:33