Vicki’s brutal storyline shocked EastEnders fans—but what made the scenes feel so real? 💔 “The injuries looked terrifying… now we know why.”
EastEnders actress Alice Haig has opened up about the intense behind-the-scenes process that made the shocking Joel Marshall storyline so realistic — and revealed the massive part that helped bring Vicki Fowler’s trauma to life.
The powerful storyline saw Vicki brutally attacked by her stepson Joel Marshall (Max Murray), leaving her with severe injuries and sparking one of the soap’s most talked-about plotlines of the year.
Haig, who took over the role of Vicki earlier this year, shared a heartfelt Instagram post praising the show’s talented hair and make-up team for their painstaking work during the harrowing hospital scenes.
“Getting the Injuries Right Was a Massive Part”
Posting a behind-the-scenes clip of herself in the make-up chair, Alice showed the transformation process as artists carefully recreated Vicki’s injuries.
She wrote, “Huge shout out to the amazing hair and make-up team @bbceastenders. Thank you @sophiescarlettroberts especially. The attention to detail and commitment to getting these injuries right was such a massive part of making this powerful story work.”
Her co-star Max Murray, who plays Joel, responded to the post with a simple but chilling comment: “Scarily good.”
The authenticity of the make-up was widely praised by fans, many of whom said it made the difficult scenes even more impactful.
Fans Praise Alice’s Powerful Performance
Viewers flooded the comments section to applaud Haig’s portrayal of Vicki’s pain and resilience throughout the storyline.
“Such an amazing actress, absolutely fantastic!” one fan wrote. Another added, “You’ve honestly been so fantastic during this storyline — so raw and real.”
Others praised how the show tackled such dark subject matter with care and realism. “This looks so real it’s scary,” one viewer said. “You’ve brought the story to life in such an incredible way.”
What’s Next for Vicki Fowler?
After the brutal attack, Vicki’s recovery has been emotional and complicated. While she was whisked away by Sharon Watts and Kathy Beale for some time to heal, her thoughts remain fixed on Ross Marshall, Joel’s father — a man torn between guilt and misguided loyalty.
Meanwhile, Ross has been offered a place to stay by Harvey Monroe, though Vicki is still unaware. The fallout is far from over, and fans are eagerly waiting to see whether forgiveness or further heartbreak lies ahead.
A Storyline That Hits Hard
The EastEnders team has been praised for its sensitive handling of the storyline, shedding light on cycles of abuse, trauma, and the emotional toll on victims. Haig’s dedication to authenticity, combined with the production team’s commitment to realism, has made the plot one of the year’s most memorable.