Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson’s baby will be diagnosed with Edwards’ syndrome in an emotional new storyline on EastEnders.
The co-parents to be, played by Shona McGarty and James Farrar, receive the diagnosis next month after an ultrasound scan identifies a birth defect.
The BBC One soap is working with Antenatal Results and Choices and SOFT UK to accurately reflect and raise awareness of Edwards’ Syndrome while sensitively portraying the difficult decisions it leaves prospective parents with.
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer said:
“It was imperative for us to work alongside Antenatal Results and Choices and SOFT UK to accurately present, and sensitively portray, such an emotional storyline that many parents may relate to.
“Shona [McGarty] and James’ [Farrar] performances have thoughtfully portrayed the realities of the diagnosis and the decision making process with compassion and understanding.
“We hope that this story resonates with the audience, and that we represent it as sensitively, and as accurately as possible.”
In babies with Edwards’ syndrome, chromosome 18 is more prevalent in some or all of their cells. It is also known as Trisomy 18. Babies are either miscarried, stillborn, or born with physical abnormalities, dying shortly after birth.
SOFT UK chair Jan Fowler said:
“At SOFT UK, we support families impacted by Edwards’ or Patau’s Syndrome and we were pleased to be able to work with the EastEnders team on how they could approach the story of Whitney and Zack’s baby’s diagnosis of Edwards’ Syndrome in an accurate and sensitive way.
“Around 3 in every 10,000 births in the UK are affected by Edwards’ syndrome each year and many parents contact SOFT for help. We provide parents with comprehensive advice and support whether they decide to end their pregnancy or to continue. We also support families whose living children have Edwards’ or Patau’s.”
Jane Fisher, Director of Antenatal Results and Choices added:
“At ARC we hear daily from expectant parents dealing with the shock of being told their baby is not developing as expected. This is a distressing and often isolating time for expectant parents as they try and navigate their next steps in a state of emotional turmoil and it’s rarely spoken about.
“Well done EastEnders for tackling this difficult subject and we are pleased they involved us to help them treat the storyline with such sensitivity and compassion.”
EastEnders airs Monday-Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer
