User:5 albert square/Episode 5737
| "5 albert square/Episode 5737" | |
|---|---|
| EastEnders episode | |
| Episode no. | Episode 5737 |
| Directed by | John Greening |
| Written by | Peter McKenna |
| Original air date | 6 July 2018 |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
Episode 5737 of the BBC soap opera EastEnders was broadcast on BBC One on 6 July 2018. It was written by Peter McKenna and directed by John Greening. The episode marks the end of a storyline that sees Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) stabbed to death. For the first time in British television history, relatives of knife victims will tell their real-life stories during the episode.
Plot
The locals of Walford gather for the funeral of Shakil and are concerned when Shakil's mother Carmel Kazemi (Bonnie Langford) does not attend.[1]
Cast and characters
Production
As part of the "unique" episode, the real-life families of victims of knife crime appear, with some sharing their own stories as part of the episode. Of the episode, executive consultant of EastEnders, John Yorke, said, "From the very beginning we were determined to treat the difficult subject of knife crime in a responsible, non-sensationalist way. We started out with detailed research, and the more stories we heard the more we felt other people should hear them too. The episode gradually evolved into something unique for EastEnders—real families telling their own devastating stories alongside our own characters. We've tried to find a way to do justice to an incredibly difficult, tragic and emotive subject, and with huge help from the families of real life victims and the support groups they work with, we hope we've come some way to getting that enormity across."[2]
In addition to the episode, BBC Three aired a special feature about knife crime and multiple short films exploring the lives of the people involved in the "special" episode. The controller of BBC Three, Damian Cavanagh, said, "We're pleased that we're able to collaborate with EastEnders to produce additional material to support this storyline that will allow both the BBC Three and EastEnders audience gain a deeper engagement with an important subject."[3]
The storyline was developed with the help of former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, who has campaigned against knife crime since the murder of her brother, Ben Kinsella.[4] The storyline was written to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Ben Kinsella.[5] Kinsella's father, George Kinsella, will feature in a segment of the episode.[6]
Of the storyline, Jafargholi said "It's been intense, to make sure the story is accurate and it's delivered in a way that is close to the bone". To prepare for the storyline, Bonnie Langford, who plays Shakil's mother, Carmel Kazemi, spoke to Kinsella. Langford said "They haven't been frightened to show the uncomfortable side and the harsh side and the nasty side".[7]
Reception
References
- ^ Joseph, Shanique (26 June 2018). "EastEnders spoilers: Carmel sparks concern as she goes missing at her son Shakil's funeral". Daily Express. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Lindsay, Duncan (20 June 2018). "EastEnders spoilers: Real life knife crime victims to tell their stories in Shakil Kazemi's funeral episode". Metro. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Crumlish, Callum (21 June 2018). "EastEnders spoilers: Shakil Kazemi's funeral to include families of knife crime victims". Daily Express. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
- ^ Potter, Benjy (20 June 2018). "EastEnders to tell the stories of knife crime victims in unique 'docu-drama' episode". The Sun. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "EastEnders special to air real stories of knife crime". BBC News. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
- ^ Brooke Kinsella [@brookekinsella] (20 June 2018). "A brave, heartbreakingly touching tribute to all those we have lost. Thank you @bbceastenders for letting us tell the stories of our stolen loved ones. I can't wait to see my Daddy do our Ben proud" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 June 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gill, Gurvinder (24 May 2018). "Brooke Kinsella: Why I helped EastEnders on knife crime story". BBC News. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
External links
Category:2018 British television episodes Category:EastEnders episodes Category:Television episodes about funerals