Since its debut in 1985, Eastenders has been captivating audiences with its authentic portrayal of life in London's East End. Always deepdiving into the lives of the families of the fictional Walford, the show has expertly explored family dynamics, love, betrayal and resilience in the face of all odds.
This summer, one of the biggest and potentially most controversial storylines EastEnders has ever tackled will get underway when a child-to-parent abuse storyline featuring Tommy Moon and his mother Kat Slater is set to hit the screen. The plot will show how the conflict between the two characters gradually escalates to highlight an issue that is rarely discussed: children using abusive behavior to control their parents.
The storyline kicked off near the end of the episode that aired on 23rd July 2024. The show follows months of aggressive outbursts by Tommy, which came to a dramatic head in a confrontation with Kat. Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw emphasized that this type of storylining would have to be portrayed accurately and sensibly. This show works closely with organizations such as Family Based Solutions, PEGS, and NSPCC to ensure the story is represented truthfully yet respectfully.
As much as Tommy tries to reunite Kat with Phil Mitchell, his anger and controlling behavior will eventually take over the relationship, devastating the whole Slater-Moon family. This story is designed to open up the conversation about child-to-parent abuse and hopefully encourage those affected to come forward for help.
Who is Tommy Slater in EastEnders?
At the center of this groundbreaking storyline is Tommy Moon, played by Sonny Kendall. The character is the son of one of EastEnders' iconic characters, Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace, and has been part of the EastEnders narrative for a number of years. Sonny Kendall, in the role of Tommy, has been credited with delivering depth and authenticity, particularly on working through such a knotty and emotionally charged storyline.
Since 2000, Kat Slater has been the bread and butter of Albert Square—known and loved for her big personality and invincible spirit. Jessie Wallace brought Kat to life with leopard print clothing, large gold earrings, and vibrant red lipstick, all blending into a character that immediately captures the hearts of the fans. Exploring the dynamic between Kat and Tommy in new and challenging ways will be new and difficult ground with the emergence of Tommy's abusive behavior. Their performances are expected to put out a raw and riveting look at how child-to-parent abuse can strain even the closest of familial bonds.
Executive producer Clenshaw praised how the two actors have approached this hard-hitting subject with sensitivity and compassion. EastEnders is proud to have worked closely with experts and support organizations to bring a dramatic, educational, and empathetic storyline to the viewers.
EastEnders explores the reality of child-to-parent abuse
It is a big step by EastEnders to be covering an issue as important as child-to-parent abuse, rarely dealt with. This storyline will show how Tommy tries to control Kat through his behavior and deliver some emotional and psychological consequences for the relationship and the wider Slater-Moon family. The narrative arc began to develop when Tommy could not go forward with the plans of reuniting Kat with Phil Mitchell, thus leading to anger and aggression towards Kat.
This commitment to portraying the issue in as accurate a manner as possible comes through the show working with organizations like Family Based Solutions, PEGS, and NSPCC. These gave the program invaluable insight and guidance so that the storyline reflects real life for those experiencing child-to-parent abuse. Jason Phasouliotis, Secondary Age Lead Practitioner at Family Based Solutions, expressed pride in working with EastEnders to bring this critical issue to light, hoping it will help families come forward for support.
This was agreed upon by Michelle John, Director at PEGS, who elaborated that such a storyline could open some very important dialogue and aid in raising awareness. Through the plot of child-to-parent abuse, EastEnders desires to raise the recognition of an issue that thousands of families face and be able to provide a platform that supports and understands their experiences. How Tommy manipulates Kat's love and trust will show just how complex the dynamics of child-to-parent abuse are and their consequences.
On top of this dramatic narrative, the stance for EastEnders is to involve the NSPCC in the broader aspects of storyline delivery to ensure it is holistic and respectful. Chris Clenshaw has commented on how important it is to portray Kat as vulnerable in the face of her son's abusive behavior—so different from her usual strong and fiery persona. This nuanced portrayal will reveal something compelling and educational to viewers, in addition to providing the much-needed storyline on child-to-parent abuse.
For this poignant, powerful storyline, catch EastEnders on BBC One every Monday to Thursday at 1930 GMT. In the US, viewers can tune into Apple TV+ to watch the episodes a few hours after they air in the UK.
