EastEnders star found out show-changing twist 15 minutes before filming scene
Soap bosses took it right up to the wire where an EastEnders twist was concerned, only telling the cast members involved 15 minutes before it needed to be filmed.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the British Soap Awards, actor Scott Maslen confessed it was very last minute when he was informed of a possibly show-changing twist. The Jack Branning actor and his co-stars had just minutes to react to and process the bombshell, before having to film for the show.
To add to the pressure, the scenes in the fallout to the news were being filmed live for the special 40th episode, and being aired to the nation. There was little preparation, and as soon as Scott learned the big twist he pretty much had to perform it on air very quickly.
The twist in question was the result of the public vote in February, with fans deciding whether Denise Fox reunited with husband Jack, or chose new flame Ravi Gulati. In the episode it was revealed that Denise, courtesy of the fans, had chosen to stay with Jack and dumped Ravi.
As this played out on air, it was only 15 minutes prior that the cast had even been told. It was a super quick turnaround, as Scott and his co-star Aaron Thiara, who plays Ravi, were walking towards the famous set ready for their live scenes when they learned which of them would be chosen.
The actors were together at the time before making the necessary preparations to film the scenes viewers saw on the night. Scott told us: "I am happy the public chose Jack, it's obviously a big story to put you in that situation.
"I have been there a long time. Aaron's come in so well and so strong, he's a lovely, lovely lad. It was a big ask for both of us but we had a lot of fun. We didn't think too much about it."
Scott actually wasn't sure what way it would go, expecting to get some time off with Denise choosing Ravi. He joked: "I was thinking maybe I was gonna get some fishing time in, so I voted for Ravi myself. I was like vote Ravi everyone!"
On the little time they had before filming, Scott explained: "It was right up to the wire. 15 minutes! I've got a little video of me and Aaron walking down and doing the last march. We were together."
But there were no hard feelings between the cast members despite the rivalry onscreen. He explained: "It didn't matter, we're a team. It's not about individuals, it's a team game. Our job is to tell stories and we do what we are told.
"We're part of a team and I am very lucky to have worked with these people for such a long time, so hopefully it will keep going forward."
He also teased whether it was truly over for the love triangle, adding: "It's EastEnders ain't it. Ravi is gonna be back, you know he is."
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