Soapworld
Scott Maslen talks EastEnders’ Denise Decides saga
Viewers will vote the outcome of the ‘love triangle’…
For the first time ever, as part of the show’s 40th birthday celebrations, viewers get to vote for their choice of outcome, which will be revealed during a special live episode in anniversary week.
Last year, Denise (Diane Parish) and Jack’s (Scott Maslen) rocky marriage hit a breaking point when his affair with Stacey Slater came to light. Since then, they have had a few passionate encounters and shared some heartfelt moments as they navigate their blended family.
However, Denise has been secretly seeing former flame Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) since a romantic encounter on Christmas Day. Things are complicated between them due to Ravi’s troubled past, and the fact he used to be in a serious relationship with Denise’s daughter Chelsea. There’s a lot to consider as viewers watch Denise torn between the two men, but ultimately, they will be able to vote on the outcome they want.
How does Jack feel about Denise in the run-up to the anniversary week?
Jack is gutted about Denise and Ravi, but he’s still holding on to hope. He can see there is still something there between him and Denise, and there are some mixed signals. Sometimes, when Jack and Denise are together and they are not thinking, there’s this natural warmth between them, even though they’re not together right now. They’ve got a lot of problems, which is why they split up, but I don’t think Jack believes this relationship is past the point of no return – yet!
Why does he love Denise so much?
What’s interesting is how Jack has come to love Denise. Ronnie was his true love for so long, but he lost her. So, for Jack to find someone else and love them as much as he loved Ronnie is a big journey in itself. Jack has made a lot of mistakes with Denise, so she started looking at Ravi, and he’s been no saint himself after what happened with Stacey. But Jack is an old-school character who is sentimental and a big family man. He wants to put his family back together.
Who will she choose? EastEnders viewers will decide / BBC
How do you feel about the fact the audience will decide Jack, Ravi and Denise’s fates?
I think it’s great that we have this interactive vote. Having this new element, where we get the public involved and let them decide, is really exciting for our viewers. I don’t mind which way the vote goes because whatever happens, we’ll have done our job and told a great story. Jack and Ravi are two very different characters, and they play well together on the show. I love Aaron Thiara (Ravi) – he is brilliant, and he came in with a great attitude and fitted in so nicely from the off. I’m really pleased to be working with him and Di Parish, who is amazing and always knocks it out of the park.
Are you excited to have a big part in anniversary week?
Yes, I love to get involved with everything I can! I’ve been in a few live episodes in the past, including on The Bill and the Strictly Come Dancing live shows, so I’ve had practice. We’re all going to be buzzing during anniversary week and the live because the show is setting the bar really high like they always do, and it’ll be great fun.
The 40th anniversary is a huge milestone for the show. What are your favourite memories of the show across the decades?
It’s hard for me because there are so many quintessential moments. What’s funny is that when I was growing up, my granddad used to take me out of the house when EastEnders was on because all the women in my family – my mum, my aunt and my nan – were obsessed with the show and wanted me out.
It’s incredible what this show has achieved as a lynchpin on our screens. People watch it when they are kids, and then their kids watch it, and then the next generation watches, too. I find it incredible that we’ve got people here like Adam Woodyatt, Tish Dean and Gilly Taylforth, who have been here since day one.
You’ve played Jack since 2007. What’s kept you interested in the character?
Actors generally don’t get to spend that much time with their characters, but this job is different. I’ve had Jack for eighteen years, and over that time, I’ve been able to build him and his history. Things have moved on a lot since Jack first arrived, but he’s old school, and it’s important in these modern times to have old-school characters in the mix. You need all types of different characters to tell stories and spark drama and conversations. Jack’s a proud man, but he is also the sort of man who would shed a tear over his kids, and he often does.
Jack and Denise / BBC
What are some of your favourite Jack storylines over the years?
I really enjoyed Jack and Ronnie’s relationship. It was great to work with Sam (Ronnie), who is my old mate, because we weren’t sure how it would be as we’re like brother and sister in real life, but the on-screen chemistry was great as Jack and Ronnie. Those two would always try to get one up on each other, but sometimes Jack would win, and other times Ronnie would win, so it would level out. That dynamic was fun because it was so passionate and complicated!
People loved the relationship between Jack and Max too. Did you enjoy working with Jake Wood?
Jake is something else! As soon as we got to know each other, we were brothers. Although Max and Jack don’t look like each, people believe they are brothers. That dynamic of Jim’s golden child (Jack) and the one caught all the flack (Max) was great. Jake really evokes all the emotion out of you in those big moments and he always delivers something you feel in the gut. He’s brilliant and a big part of EastEnders and he always will be.
What are your favourite classic EastEnders moments?
I loved the relationship between Dot and Jim, my dad! June Brown and John Bardon had some amazing stuff together, and June’s solo episode, that was on another level. I also loved Angie and Den and all the original stuff in The Queen Vic. The Watts family were really strong, weren’t they? Tish (Sharon) is a phenomenon, and it’s amazing to think she’s still here 40 years later.
EastEnders, BBC One, Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm and on the iPlayer from 7am
