Deciding to live with Janine Butcher was a bad move for Whitney Dean. EastEnders’ actress Shona McGarty tells Suzanne Byrne how Whitney’s life is spiralling out of control.
When Whitney Dean arrived on Albert Square almost two years ago, it was pretty evident from the word go that she was just as gobby and opinionated as her step-mother Bianca.
The daughter of Bianca’s ex, Nathan Dean, Bianca took her under her wing when her dad died. Whitney really hasn’t had much to do with her biological mother Debra Dean, apart from when she made a brief appearance in the Square claiming she wanted them to move to Greece, when in fact, all she wanted was a place to hide out for a couple of days. Her brother Ryan is the only blood relative she has in Walford and even though he looks out for her, he has had a string of his own problems to deal with, including fathering Stacey Branning’s baby and marrying the more than just a little insane Janine Butcher.
Whitney has had a tough time when it has come to the men in her life. An ex-boyfriend of Bianca’s, Tony King, has been sent to prison for 13 years for abusing her; she was falsely accused of having an affair with Bianca’s uncle Max; she ended a relationship with Todd in favour of Billie Jackson who subsequently died; and now she has met a man called Rob who has a sinister plan for Whitney that will see her be sexually exploited.
The storyline has been building for several weeks now as viewers have seen the 18-year-old market seller descend into a bleak and desperate situation ever since Bianca was banged up for assault. After a row with Carol and with Ricky focusing on the younger kids, Whitney can’t help but feel left out of the family loop and the loneliness led her to move in with none other the Janine Butcher . . . ultimately, Whitney’s biggest mistake, as Shona McGarty reveals.
How is Whitney finding life away from her family?
Shona McGarty: She feels really distant from everyone. She's had the realisation that she's not related to everyone and that she's alone really. She's had it out with Carol and now that Bianca's left there's no one to stick up for her.
Does she think Janine is trying to help her, or is she aware that she is using her?
A bit of both really, she knows that it isn't the best situation and that there's a bad side to Janine. She goes about everything the wrong way and that's when everything goes wrong for Whitney.
Does she like living with Janine?
Yes, it makes her feel grown-up and a bit more independent.
How is she coping with being poor and having no food or electricity?
Well, Whitney's always been poor really, she's never had money so she doesn't really mind. I think Whitney would rather have friends than money. You don't miss what you never had.
Does Whitney mind that she has to steal from people?
Yes, she is always worrying about what Bianca would say. Whitney wants to be more grown-up and independent but she's finding it tough.
How does she get a job in The Vic?
Ryan speaks to Kat saying that Whitney really needs a job. Kat asks Whitney if she would like a trial shift and Whitney's really happy about that. She doesn't know that Ryan has essentially got her the job though and when she finds out she's really mad because she's trying to get on by herself.
Does she enjoy her new job?
Yes she loves it. She doesn't like Janine asking for free drinks all the time though!
Why does she try to steal money and vodka?
Because her and Janine need money for rent, she's desperate.
What happens when Kat catches her with the bottles of vodka?
She goes ballistic. Kat's been dealing with a lot recently so she really goes off on Whitney, calling her a low life and a common thief, which really devastates Whitney because it was all Janine's idea in the first place. Whitney's really disappointed in herself.
What happens when she tries to pickpocket someone?
She's never done it before and it all goes wrong, she ends up been smacked in the face and getting a cut lip.
How does Rob come into the picture?
When Whitney tries to mug someone and it all goes wrong. He just appears and saves her, he's her knight in shining armour. He takes her into a café and sorts her cut lip out. Whitney thinks that she might have found a friend in him.
Does Whitney fancy him?
Yes, but anyone who shows her some attention and affection at this point makes Whitney feel good. She wants to be seen by Janine and Lauren with Rob so she can show him off. That's the teenager in her coming out.
Why does she start working for Max?
She's told Lauren that she needs money so when Max asks Lauren to come and work at the car lot she tells Max to ask Whitney instead because she needs the money which Whitney really appreciates. She really appreciates having Lauren as a friend.
Does she enjoy it?
Yes, but she's not very good at answering the phone and is a bit uncomfortable around Max, as she's got a bit of a crush on him.
Why does she end up launching herself at Max?
Janine has a go at her and Max saves Whitney by chucking Janine out of the house. After everything that's happened recently she's kind of thinking about Tony and is feeling all alone. She sees Max as Tony and that's when she kisses him.
What happens when Lauren catches them together?
Lauren goes mad and Whitney realises that Max isn't Tony but the damage is done.
Does she give Whitney a chance to explain what happened?
Not really, she's so angry that she won't listen. She thinks that it's her dad trying it on with Whitney like he did before with Stacey.
Does she agree with Janine when she tells her to pretend Max came on to her?
No, she can understand why it would look so bad for both her and Max but she's a very honest person. Janine's meant to be looking after her but she's trying to take advantage of the situation here.
Does she get to tell Lauren the truth eventually?
She tries but Lauren won't listen.
What makes Whitney leave Albert Square with Rob?
Whitney feels like she's got no friends left and she's fed up of Janine using her. Bianca's gone, Ricky's trying to take care of the kids and Carol is constantly shouting at her Whitney feels really isolated and alone, but then Rob comes along and offers her this 'dream life' and she thinks that it could be her chance to move up in the world.
Does she really want to leave?
Yes, she's had enough of her life been so rubbish in Albert Square and she wants to escape to somewhere new. Now that Bianca's gone she has no connection left any more.
Are you pleased to be involved in such a big storyline?
I feel really privileged and honoured. Our scriptwriters have been working on Whitney's development and involvement in this storyline since last year and have taken advice from experts funded by Comic Relief to create a storyline which raises awareness of sexual exploitation. I did a lot of research before I started filming the upcoming scenes and met teenage girls who had been sexually exploited and they told me their stories. It was so shocking to hear how they had been manipulated and abused by people they had trusted. I want to do the best I can with this storyline and make it reflect what is happening to vulnerable young people all over the UK. It's something that people should know about.
Suzanne Byrne
