EastEnders explores grooming storyline involving Craig Ingram and Amy Mitchell

The BBC soap opera EastEnders is developing a dark storyline centered on a grooming and coercive control plot involving the character Craig Ingram and teenager Amy Mitchell. As the narrative progresses, Craig exerts increasing control over Amy, leading the pair to flee Walford.

In an attempt to find her, Sean Slater teams up with Jack Branning. The search intensifies after Lily Slater provides a breakthrough regarding a bank account opened using a tablet. Following the freezing of Amy's inheritance, the storyline takes a violent turn when Craig lashes out physically against Amy.

Actor Matthew James-Bailey, who portrays Craig, noted that he sought mentorship from former Hollyoaks co-star Rita Simons to prepare for the complexities of the role. He emphasized the importance of portraying the reality of manipulation and the impact of such issue-based storylines.