EastEnders star teases Gray comeuppance over Chantelle's death
EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders star Jaz Deol has dropped hints about how Kheerat Panesar could bring down Gray Atkins for Chantelle's death.
Tuesday's episode (September 22) saw Kheerat meeting with Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) to confess his secret relationship with Chantelle, only to be cut off by his concerned mum Suki (Balvinder Sopal).
Speaking about the emotional storyline, Deol powerfully described Chantelle's death as "the end of a dream" for Kheerat.
"It's awful even talking about it, because he was so ready to leave and start a new life with her and the kids," he said. "Then at the last minute he gets that voicemail calling it off and the next morning he discovers she's dead – words can't describe that moment.
"That's what I wanted to play in those scenes – losing someone or something that changes you forever. I wanted to find that within myself to play those scenes."
With Kheerat already suspecting Gray has sinister qualities, Deol thinks his character could eventually put together the murderous truth about the abusive lawyer.
"I think he knew in his gut instinct that something wasn't right there," the actor confirmed. "In his mind, he cannot dispute that feeling and it haunts him to this day. Maybe even the rest of his life. I mean, think about it, Kheerat was about to sacrifice everything to run away with Chantelle and it was cut so short that there can only be one explanation for it.
"The tragedy is he just doesn't have the evidence to prove it. He's an incredibly logical man that is battling the irrationality and impulsiveness of his grief. He knows he can't act on his anger – Gray is a solicitor by trade so he knows how to exploit the legal system better than anyone else.
"In a way Gray is Kheerat's Moriarty and, much like Sherlock, the stage is set for Kheerat to expose the truth. What's beautiful about the show is that Jon and Kate sow these seeds and we have no idea where it's going to go."
Viewers saw Kheerat take a huge step in exposing Gray during Tuesday's episode, when he revealed to Chantelle's father that he'd secretly planned to start a new life with her.
"He needs an ally because he's well aware Gray is Albert Square's knight in shining armour," Deol pointed out. "After all, he's helping Whitney in her ongoing trial so how could he possibly be Chantelle's murderer? If anything, the odds are stacked against Kheerat for even considering it.
"Knowing Mitch's history with Gray, Kheerat is playing on the heartstrings of a man that wasn't able to protect his baby girl because he couldn't protect Chantelle either. It's something that they can both connect with. That feeling of helplessness."
Deol also looked back on the overwhelming fan support for Chantelle and Kheerat during the months it looked like they could end up together.
"For me the happy-ever-after is the fact that you have British turban wearing Sikh man in love with a mixed race woman and that's completely okay," he said. "I'm so moved that everyone was rooting for their relationship and they accepted it straight away. I hope it paves the way for more representative stories like that."
EastEnders continues on Thursday (September 24) at 7.35pm on BBC One.
We would encourage any readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story to contact Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk) or Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk). The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text text LOVEIS to 22522.
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