Jacqueline Jossa's three-word take on heartbreaking EastEnders storyline

Daily Mirror

5 days ago

EXCLUSIVE: Jacqueline Jossa has reflected on a recent EastEnders storyline which saw her character, Lauren Branning, blame herself after learning her son, Jimmy, would not be able to see
Jacqueline Jossa opened up on the British Soap Awards 2025 red carpet about her heartbreaking EastEnders storyline about her sight-impaired baby son. The 32-year-old soap star is a mum-of-two in real life, while her character, Lauren Branning, also has two.
The BBC soap character is mum to Louie and Jimmy, sharing both her children with her now-fiancé, Peter Beale. Speaking to the Mirror, Jacqueline confessed that working on a storyline about a young child struck her hard.
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She said: 'It's been tough, and has really pulled the heart strings, especially being a mum.' She praised bosses for highlighting the issue, and was very much looking forward to letting her hair down with the rest of the cast.
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Asked her about rumours her dad, Max Branning, played by Jake Wood, would be coming back to the soap, she said: 'They don't tell me anything because I am the worst at keeping secrets!'
Earlier this month, EastEnders fans were deeply moved by a storyline showing Lauren and Peter learning that their son, Jimmy, was severely sight-impaired. Lauren had suspected something was wrong with her son, but struggled to gain medical aid.
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After speaking to Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright, Lauren decided to take action, only to be brushed off by a hospital receptionist when she tried to get medical help for her young son. Jimmy's diagnosis was not discovered until other members of Lauren's family came to question what was wrong with the young lad.
They were told that Jimmy's eyes hadn't developed, and as a result, he would be visually impaired for life. Heartbroken, Lauren blamed herself due to past addictions and, in emotional scenes, she was seen pleading with her son for forgiveness and that they would be together for life.
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The screen then faded out and a slow theme tune was played, opposed to the original, as the stand alone episode came to an end. The emotional episode left fans in tears, with many taking to social media to praise Jacqueline on her performance. "Really powerful performance from Jacqueline Jossa today," said one.
Another echoed: "Jacqueline Jossa is going to be amazing during this storyline, I was in tears the whole time." And a third praised the special, writing: "Phenomenal episode."
A further fan agreed, writing: "Jac really is phenomenal." And another emotional fan penned: "#Eastenders writers do everything in their power to make me cry. And it works every time."
It was revealed last week that the soap were working with advice from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on the upcoming storyline.
Speaking of the storyline, EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said: 'It was imperative that we worked with RNIB and experts in the field when consulting on Jimmy's visual impairment storyline to ensure it was portrayed sensitively and accurately. The story will continue to develop over time as we look to focus on how the diagnosis affects Lauren and Peter as parents, their family and later, the effects this will have on Jimmy.'