EastEnders newcomer Bea Pollard’s (Ronni Ancona) dark side resurfaces next week when she has a violent reaction after getting bad news from Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton).
Fans had their first glimpse that everything was not quite as it seemed with apparently quirky and unassuming Bea last month, when it was revealed she had paid a group of teenagers to ransack the Mini Mart in a bid to get close to Honey.
Honey, being as sweet as she is, has totally taken Bea’s friendship at face value, and recently made the massive mistake of asking recently-homeless Bea to housesit for her and husband Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).
While alone at No.18 , Bea has been getting her feet right under the table, restyling Honey and Billy’s home following some recent renovations and taking out a fraudulent credit card in Honey’s name.
After Honey arrives home next week, things quickly unravel, leading to Honey having to ask Bea to move out.
Actress Emma Barton, who plays Honey, explains: ‘She is initially really appreciative of Bea’s help in maintaining and redecorating their home exactly how Honey would like it. However, as she settles back in, she notices several times where Bea may have overridden Billy’s decisions.
‘Although Bea’s actions come from a well‑intentioned place, they have annoyed Billy, who feels she is overstepping, which understandably takes a toll on him as he believes she’s trying to take over.’
When Honey later opens up to Billy about her concerns that she may be starting the menopause, the couple agree that Bea needs to pack her bags.
‘As Honey begins to process the changes she’s experiencing, she knows that she must put her own well‑being first,’ Emma says. ‘Although she is kind and doesn’t want to upset anyone, Honey knows she’s going through emotional and physical changes that will require some privacy, something that’s difficult to have with a friend living with you.’
Needless to say, the news does not land well with a blindsided Bea, who heads back to her new job at McClunky’s and trashes the place when her emotions get the better of her.
Later, Honey and Billy’s son Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips), drops by the chicken shop and is shocked to see the state of it, prompting Bea to lie that she was attacked in an attempt to garner sympathy.
She then continues to emotionally manipulate Honey so she will agree to let her stay, as her true intentions start to become clearer…
Revealing Honey’s naivety to the situation, Emma says: ‘Bea has become the closest friend Honey has had in a long time, and she values the respect and ease within their relationship. Honey relates to Bea in a way she hasn’t experienced before. The dynamic with Bea feels balanced, equal, and entirely effortless.
‘Honey chooses to see the good in people and trusts Bea, although perhaps a little too much…’
