EastEnders: Anna Knight's Night Out Turns Scary

EastEnders star Molly Rainford has opened up about a harrowing spiking storyline involving her character, Anna Knight. In upcoming scenes, Anna's drink gets spiked while she's out with her sister Gina, Felix Baker, and Freddie Slater.

Rainford explained that Anna starts feeling increasingly intoxicated, despite barely having anything to drink. Although initially feeling safe surrounded by her friends, Anna becomes confused and disoriented, a terrifying experience she finds herself struggling to comprehend.

"She feels safe in the respect that she's got everyone with her, but she's confused as to why she's gone from sober to drunk all of a sudden," Rainford shared. "Anna starts to become really confused by her surroundings which is obviously really scary."

The soap will explore this unsettling night through a digital series available on their TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook channels. These videos will offer a unique perspective on the events, showcasing the night through the eyes of both Anna and her friends, highlighting the rapid shift in the atmosphere following Anna's spiking.

"I thought it was really clever to see our night out through the characters' lens," Rainford said. "Anyone on a night out usually snaps pictures and videos of themselves having fun. Viewers will see the night from Anna's point of view and from the point of view of her friends as we see the night unfold, and highlight how quickly the events of the evening change [following Anna's spiking]."

This incident has a profound impact on Anna, leaving her fearful of going out again. Rainford explained that Anna is plagued by a mix of emotions, including fear, confusion, and self-blame.

"I think there's a massive mixture of emotions for Anna. Part of her is obviously scared, because not being able to remember the events of the evening is quite frightening," she said. "The unknown in anything is frightening so it's playing on her mind and she's wondering what really happened. There is also another side of her that questions whether she's to blame, which is ridiculous but also a very common misconception."

Anna's fear extends to the local bar, a place she now associates with danger and vulnerability. "On top of all of that, there's another part of her that is now fearing going out again, and going inward which is sad because no one should have to feel like that," Rainford expressed. "It's her local bar which her parents' friends own, and it shouldn't be a place where she feels unsafe."

This storyline has been personally insightful for Rainford, who understands the terrifying reality of spiking.

"Even though I shouldn't have to say this, I feel very lucky that I personally haven't been in that situation [getting spiked] but I know so many people who have, and I think that's so scary especially as young people, and especially as young women," Rainford remarked. "We should never feel like we can't go and have fun on a night out, and be in that danger. It can happen to anyone, and this story is so important as it really highlights what you should look out for in yourself or your friends if this happens."

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer. Most episodes are available on iPlayer at 6am ahead of their television broadcast.