Past Project

Eastenders

BBC Studios
presents

Executive Producer:
Chris Clenshaw

Director:
Cóilín Ó Scolaí

Writer:
Pete Lawson

Cast:
Max Bowden (Ben Mitchell), Aidan O’Callaghan (Lewis Butler), Tony Clay (Callum Highway)

Summary:
Following a heated argument with Callum, Ben went drinking and messaged Lewis via a dating app. After meeting up while intoxicated, Ben’s trust was abused when Lewis crossed a line and raped him. The storyline focused on sex and consent, and pushed viewers to engage in reflections on the aftermath and invited them to think through the reality of proving rape.

Actor Max Bowden, who worked with Duncan Craig OBE on the development of Ben’s experience told media “Alongside some wonderful charities, and some very inspirational survivors of male sexual assault in the UK, I think we’ve been able to really strive to tell the most truthful account we can, and I hope we can raise awareness and understanding on a topic that is rarely covered. I’m honoured to be given this opportunity to tell such an important story.”

Actor Aidan O’Callaghan worked closely with Duncan Craig OBE and We Are Survivors to better understand the psychology of offending and impact on victims.