EastEnders get mixed response to Lee Carter suicide storyline
Last night saw EastEnders take a turn for the serious, with depressed Lee Carter seemingly reaching breaking point following a tough few months.
The episode ended with Lee leaving a note that simply read ‘I’m Sorry’ in his car before walking out of shot, with many believing that the troubled character was going to commit suicide.
The storyline has been a long time coming, with many speculating that Lee may take his own life over the festive season as Danny-Boy Hatchard, who plays the oldest son of Mick Carter, is known to be leaving the BBC soap.
It would no doubt be a dramatic and heartbreaking end for the character, especially as viewers were left so disappointed by the lacklustre and ‘boring’ Christmas and Boxing Day episodes this year, but with Kellie Bright, who plays Lee’s mum Linda Carter, on maternity leave for the next few months, we have a funny feeling that there won’t be any kind of funeral that she’d have to rush back for to attend.
And whilst many fans are hoping to get some drama on their screens in the form of Lee’s tragic death, many others have slammed the soap for playing out such hardhitting and difficult to watch scenes at this time of year.
Taking to Twitter, viewers were divided over last night’s ep – although they all praised Danny-Boy for his heartrending performance:
Liking the Lee storyline. Male depression & suicide/al thoughts is high but is never really spoken about in media #eastenders
— Thomas (@thomthetank) December 30, 2016
Lee better not commit suicide. I literally cannot cope. ???? #Eastenders
— Ⓜ️ & Ⓜ️'s (@_Miamii_) December 29, 2016
@searlasodaire rates of suicide amongst young men have been rising in the UK. #eastenders raising this issue in a very good way.
— Searlas (@searlasodaire) December 29, 2016
Hahahahaha that's it Eastenders you show that suicide storyline over one of the toughest periods of the year for those who have lost someone
— elena (@elenajday) December 29, 2016
This storyline with Lee is the best thing ever. Said nobody. EVER! #eastenders
— Stephen Lane (@stelane17) December 30, 2016
what an absolutely amazing actor @danboy is. tonight's eastenders was so good, depression in men needs to be more aware of #eastenders ❤️????????
— libby (@libbyhardingx) December 30, 2016
This Lee storyline is boring AF on #eastenders
— Kirsty Gibson (@KirstyLGibson) December 29, 2016
Lee’s battle with depression continues tonight, where we will hopefully get some answers over whether or not he’ll get the help that he so desperately needs.