Shona McGarty’s departure after 15 years as Whitney Dean in EastEnders gained wide attention, Controversial storylines and real-life issues addressed in the long-running British soap.
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Is Whitney Leaving Eastenders?
Yes, Shona McGarty, who portrays Whitney Dean on the BBC soap EastEnders, has decided to leave the show after 15 years. The actress stated that she is leaving in order to “spread her wings” and explore new opportunities. Whitney Dean, the character she played, arrived on the soap in 2008 as the teenage daughter of Bianca Jackson and has been involved in some of the show’s most dramatic storylines.
Shona expressed her love for her time on the show, being trusted with incredible storylines, and forming strong friendships with her co-stars, whom she considers as family. However, after much consideration, she feels that now is the right time in her life to move on and try something new.
Fans are devastated by the news of her departure, as Whitney has been a favorite character for many viewers over the years. Nonetheless, they may take some solace in the fact that Shona hopes the door will be left open for her character to return to EastEnders one day.
Whitney Dean’s character has endured various challenges during her time in Walford, including facing sexual exploitation, experiencing baby loss, and getting entangled in murder storylines. Shona’s portrayal of Whitney has earned her several award nominations, showcasing her talent and dedication to the role.
The specific details of how Whitney will make her exit from the soap have not been revealed yet, as it will be up to the show’s writers to decide the character’s departure storyline.
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What Happened to Whitney in Eastenders?
As of March 2023, During recent emotional scenes on EastEnders, Whitney Dean, the character portrayed by Shona McGarty, made the heartbreaking decision to terminate her pregnancy after learning that her unborn daughter was suffering from Edwards’ syndrome. However, eagle-eyed viewers have noticed a noticeable error in the episodes. Fans observed that Whitney’s nail styles have been inconsistent throughout the week, with different sets of nails appearing in various scenes.
In a Facebook fan group dedicated to the show, one viewer pointed out that Whitney had worn five different nail styles in recent episodes. Some viewers who are makeup artists and nail technicians also confirmed noticing the discrepancies in her nail appearance. Despite the error, some fans jokingly admitted that they were so engrossed in the emotional storyline that they didn’t pay much attention to such details.
As the storyline progresses, Whitney will face more challenges and make significant decisions in her life. Next week, Zack Hudson (played by James Farrar) opens up about his HIV diagnosis, and the two characters make an important decision about their future together. The emotional journey of Whitney and Zack continues to captivate viewers as they navigate their grief and relationship amid difficult circumstances.
On July 29, 2023, it was officially announced that Shona McGarty, who portrays Whitney Dean on EastEnders, decided to leave the show after being in the role for over 15 years. Her departure is scheduled for early 2024.
Who Plays the role of Whitney in Eastenders?
Shona McGarty portrays the character of Whitney Dean in EastEnders. Shona McGarty is an English actress and singer known for her role as Whitney Dean in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She was born on October 14, 1991, in Barnet, London, to parents Patrick McGarty and Jennifer McNamara, and has a younger sister named Camilla. She attended St. Teresa’s Catholic Primary School and later studied at Loreto College, St Albans.
Shona’s acting career began with amateur musical theater, including a role in Wizard of Oz. She appeared in the short film “What Goes Around” in 2007 before landing the role of Whitney Dean in EastEnders. She made her first appearance on the show in April 2008, portraying the daughter of Bianca Jackson’s deceased partner, Nathan Dean.
Throughout her time on the show, Shona’s character, Whitney, was involved in various compelling storylines, including a sexual abuse plot where she was groomed by Bianca’s partner, Tony King. In 2012, she was suspended from EastEnders for being repeatedly late for filming, a decision she later regretted, acknowledging it as “lazy and irresponsible.”
Apart from her acting career, Shona has been involved in charity work and music. She participated in a Christmas song, “Rock With Rudolph,” in 2018, which was recorded to support Great Ormond Street Hospital. In 2021, she recorded a cover of the Beatles’ song “Let It Be” for British charity Mind. In July 2023, Shona announced her departure from EastEnders after fifteen years, expressing her decision to “spread her wings” and explore new opportunities. Her final scenes are set to air in 2024, following the end of her contract.
Whitney Dean in Eastenders
Whitney Dean, portrayed by Shona McGarty, is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Introduced on April 1, 2008, Whitney is the ward of Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer) and is described as both an equal and a younger version of Bianca. She is the oldest of Bianca’s four children.
Throughout her time on the show, Whitney has been involved in several significant storylines. These include her sexual abuse by Bianca’s fiancé Tony King and her subsequent sexual exploitation by a local pimp named Rob Grayson. She has also faced challenges in her relationships, from her one-night stand with Joey Branning while engaged to Tyler Moon, to her troubled marriage with Lee Carter, which ended due to his depression and infidelity. She even had a romantic crush on Lee’s father, Mick.
Whitney’s character also experienced a harrowing stalking ordeal by Tony’s vengeful son, Leo King, which ended with Whitney killing him in self-defense. She later became pregnant by Zack Hudson and discovered that her baby had Edwards syndrome and omphalocele, leading her to make the difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy.
One of the most notable storylines involving Whitney was the child sexual abuse plot with Tony King. This marked the first time such subject matter was addressed in a UK soap opera. The storyline was researched and developed with advice from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
While it garnered over 200 complaints from the public, the NSPCC praised the show for raising awareness of sexual abuse. EastEnders received a Royal Television Society Programme Award in 2009 for this storyline in the Soap and Continuing Drama category.
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera that first aired on BBC One in February 1985. The show is set in the fictional borough of Walford in the East End of London and follows the lives of local residents and their families as they navigate their daily lives. From its early days, EastEnders quickly became a hit, reaching the number one spot in television ratings within eight months of its launch.
It has consistently remained among the top-rated series in the UK. Several episodes, including the 1986 Christmas Day episode, have secured spots in the all-time top 10 most-watched programmes in the country. The show has been significant in the history of British television drama as it addresses controversial and taboo subjects in British culture and portrays social life previously unseen on mainstream TV.
Strong families are a recurring theme in EastEnders, and each character is meant to have a distinct place in the fictional community. Families like the Beales, Brannings, Mitchells, Slaters, and Watts have been central to the soap’s notable and dramatic storylines. EastEnders has been filmed at the BBC Elstree Centre since its inception, and in 2022, the BBC rebuilt the set entirely, which was first used on-screen in March of that year.
Over the years, the show has received both praise and criticism for its storylines, which have dealt with difficult themes such as violence, rape, murder, and abuse. Some storylines have attracted complaints and controversy, including the 2010 baby swap storyline. Despite this, EastEnders has been commended for addressing real-life issues and spreading awareness on social topics, earning recognition and awards for its cast and crew.
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education