Emmerdale exit ‘sealed’ as Dingle family ‘seek revenge’ on rapist to get justice for Lydia
Emmerdale's Lydia Dingle is left traumatised after being raped by her childhood friend Craig Reed on the ITV soap.
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Lydia Dingle (played by Karen Blick) doesn't want to tell a soul she's been raped by Craig Reed (Ben Addis) in Emmerdale.
However, Lydia actress Karen has hinted she might end up opening up to Kim Tate (Claire King) about the ordeal when the businesswoman notices something is wrong.
Speaking to Express.co.uk and other media, Karen explained: "I think Kim is an obvious choice as Kim suspects [something].
"She goes to work the next day and Kim can see that something is not quite right and tries to question her.
"Lydia just shuts down, ‘I am not going there, I am not discussing this.' I think Kim would offer the distance she needs from her family."
While Lydia is close to Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) she's worried the bubbly villager will tell Sam Dingle (James Hooton).
"Lydia is ultimately thinking about others and she doesn’t want Sam distressed or hurt," the actress shared.
However, Karen hinted the Dingles would get revenge on Craig if they found out about the rape.
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"Knowing the Dingles like she does, what will happen?" Karen added. "Will people hound Craig, will the Dingles seek revenge in some way if they can’t get traditional justice?"
When asked what the dynamic is like working with Craig following the traumatic assault, Karen said: "Craig’s reaction is almost as if he discredits Lydia’s version of events which then fuels the doubt which she is having."
Lydia starts doubting herself after being gaslit by Craig and she finds it incredibly difficult facing him.
"She is re-traumatised when she sees him, she has a physical response," Karen shared.
"Our body has PTSD, seeing him brings up images of what happened and the thoughts and feelings regarding that.
"Craig knows their financial situation and knows Lydia needed the job. We see Lydia going back to the offices where it happened and that is horrendous for Lydia.
"She’s having to go to work pretty much every day, back to the place where it happened and see the perpetrator who is denying it even happened.
"She’s been gaslit and it is compounding her day-to-day life and feelings of self-guilt. As time progresses she becomes worse as she feels she will be even less credible."
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and ITVX.