Emmerdale's controversial buried-alive storyline, which sparked widespread viewer backlash, has been confirmed as finished. Actor William Ash, who plays Caleb Miligan, admitted the plot had gone 'a bit extreme'.
Fan backlash over horror-style twist
The storyline saw Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) bury Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly) alive as revenge against Caleb, following the death of Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) in a car crash that destroyed their wedding marquee. Joe's actions came after Caleb conspired to destroy Joe's life, manipulating Dawn's ex Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) as a pawn.
Viewers, particularly on Metro Soap's Facebook page, were deeply unsettled. Brian Manning said: 'Could have done this a bit differently, do the producers realise how many people are absolutely terrified of being buried alive? They will cause a lot of anxiety amongst some viewers, it's something you expect in a horror movie not a soap'. Carol Ann Wood replied: 'Think this is a horrible story line making me feel quite anxious', while Elaine Stevens agreed: 'I agree, I felt physically sick and panicky seeing Ruby in the coffin. I know she was perfectly safe and it's all pretend. I can't watch I'm a celebrity when they put people in 'coffins'.'
Actor admits storyline was 'drastic'
John Collins said: 'This soap is getting more like the House of Hammer films gruesome to say the least', with Maria Sharpe agreeing: 'I couldn't watch it, I have a absolute terror of being buried alive after watching a film years ago. It's a soap not a horror movie'. Mary O'Callaghan added: 'It's a soap not a horror, so don't make it one' and Glenda Baker chimed in: 'Yes i agree it's much too dark for an early evening show, no wonder there is a lot of mental health issues nowadays especially with children, it's a step too far pack it in'.
Speaking to Metro at the Cure Usher Ball, William Ash agreed the storyline had been extreme. 'I think it's kind of gone as far as it can go now, hasn't it? You never know what the writers have in store, but it was pretty drastic, I think, that end bit,' he said. 'Burying her alive and then not taking her to hospital afterwards – it's a bit extreme.'
Conflict ahead for Caleb and Ruby
While the feud between Caleb and Joe appears over for now, Ash hinted at future tensions. 'We've got some conflict coming up, I think,' he teased, adding that it's the most fun to play as an actor. 'It gets a bit dull when everyone's getting on and everybody's having a nice time with each other. Hopefully real life is like that, but with Emmerdale you've got to have the conflict there, and that's the best stuff to play.'
