Eden Taylor-Draper has promised "a big year" ahead for her Emmerdale character Belle Dingle now that she is a married woman.
In 2023 Belle got wrapped up in a whirlwind romance with the returning Tom King (James Chase) - and after a Christmas proposal, the pair tied the knot last week.
Viewers have seen an increasingly angry and controlling side to Tom, however, and on their wedding night he berated Belle for her family's behaviour before forcing her to sleep alone on the sofa.
"Soaps can show behind the public face of a relationship," Taylor-Draper said of the storyline. "I think it's the best thing as a viewer as you have a sneak peek behind closed doors. And actually things like this could be going on behind many closed doors to some degree.
"Sometimes it just takes that reflection on screen to make you think again. People might recognise and see the little red flags and the aspects of controlling behaviour."
"I think Belle is just so in love and of course on paper Tom is such a dream man and her whole family love him too," she continued.
"I mean he's a vet, he is great, he's charismatic and they do in the main have such a lovely relationship.
"Of course there have been a few things that we have seen. We have witnessed his controlling behaviour but I think Belle herself is just turning a blind eye to all that at the moment under the assumption he's just doing it all out of love."
Tom's appalling behaviour towards Belle is only set to get worse in the months ahead - and Taylor-Draper predicts some "challenging" scenes along the way.
"Personally I'm really excited," she said. "I think it is going to be a really fun year. A big year.
"It will be challenging but I feel ready for that challenge. And Belle has no idea what is coming."
Emmerdale continues weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Neil Wilkes
Follow us on Bluesky or on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.
Media Mole's Lowest Ever Sky Offer: Get Sky Essential, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £15 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends March 19, 2025
