John Partridge (Christian Clarke, 'EastEnders')
Friday, January 21 2011, 20:30 GMT By Daniel Kilkelly, Soaps Editor
Christian and Syed's relationship takes a surprising new twist in
EastEnders next week after Roxy offers to be a surrogate mother for the couple. Events move quickly from there and it's not long before Christian has provided his best friend with a sperm sample, looking forward to what the future might hold. However, when Syed gets cold feet, the pair rush to stop Roxy from using the sample - only to discover that they're too late and the deed has been done.
DS recently caught up with John Partridge, who plays Christian, and heard how this is only the start of an eventful time ahead for one of Albert Square's most popular couples…
Christian and Syed's storyline could have gone down many different routes now that they're in a happy and stable relationship - are you pleased that they've gone with the surrogacy plot?
"Well, the thing is that some storylines are just a way of getting you to another story. Everyone is so focused on the surrogacy aspect - I think that people think this storyline is about surrogacy, when in actual fact it's not. It's actually a story that leads to a story. Of course I'm happy that they're going down the surrogacy route, but that's not the full picture and it's only the start. People mustn't get too hung up on the fact that it's about surrogacy, because we're actually just dipping our toes into this storyline."
Some viewers have been quite keen for a civil partnership for Christian and Syed - would you have liked to see the writers go down that route?
"It could have gone down the civil partnership route, but where's the drama in civil partnership? Christian and Syed would be really happy and they'd get married - there's no drama in that, is there? Also, I think that would have been a massive jump for Syed - to leave his old life behind, to be dealing with his sexuality, to be living a gay life and then to suddenly say he's going to get married. Especially after having such a fantastic wedding last time - even though it was for all the wrong reasons! (Laughs) I don't think that would have been the right choice dramatically or for serving the characters and their story. I think it may have been a crowd-pleaser, but that's not necessarily what the story is there to serve. The story is there to serve the characters."
Will this new storyline serve the characters well?
"I think it will serve the characters very well and provide drama. Part two of our storyline will be a far deeper emotional level than the first part - it'll be far stronger in emotional and dramatic content. The surrogacy story is the way of starting our storyline, but all storylines aren't what they seem! It won't take a path that most people will imagine it to take - there are many twists and turns in this storyline if it plays out as we've been led to believe, and the surrogacy definitely isn't the main event."
What kind of impact would you like the surrogacy aspect to have?
"As a gay man and a gay actor, I am happy that we go down the surrogacy route - I think these type of issues are very important. The thing is, once
EastEnders puts an issue like gay surrogacy to the front of the show, in three years' time something like this becomes so commonplace that it wouldn't even be worthy of having it as a story. So as far as I'm concerned, I think that gay surrogacy is an important story. As long as a child is brought into the world in a loving environment and two people feel responsible enough to provide that, then that's all that matters. But
EastEnders is not here to preach to people, to be an educational tool or to tell people how to live their lives.
EastEnders is a fictional programme and I think sometimes we can forget that and believe what's happening on screen is real life, when it isn't.
EastEnders is here for enjoyment and if, within that, you can have a moralistic tone or encourage someone to talk about an issue in their life, that's a good thing - but the role of the show is to provide drama and enjoyment."
Do you think Christian is rushing in to the surrogacy idea too quickly?
"Well, Christian wanted a baby before and those types of feelings - if they're genuine - don't just go away. Christian is not getting any younger and he's a character who often acts on impulse - once he decides he wants something, he goes out there and tries to make it happen. He's approaching 40, he's happy, he's with a guy he loves, and a baby is what he wants to make his life feel complete. But he has wanted a child for the past 18 months after the Amy story, and even though you don't see him with Amy all the time, the idea is that he's a great godfather to her. He was devastated when it didn't work out with Amy and just because he hasn't been seen agonising over having a baby doesn't mean he hasn't thought about it. He's definitely not doing it on a whim."
Roxy obviously has a part to play here - what do you think of her role in Christian and Syed's storyline? Some fans often get frustrated with her for interfering in their relationship…
"I love the character of Roxy! Christian loves her and I love her too. I think that she's a fantastic character and I think that their relationship is fantastic. The thing is, when you're in a relationship with somebody, you can't tell them everything. With long-lasting, successful relationships, you often have to keep something back - and everybody needs a best friend. Christian and Roxy are best friends for better and for worse. They egg each other on, they have fun together and they're there to lean on each other and confide in. I think that if Christian and Syed were just cocooned together all the time, they wouldn't last. I also think sometimes people forget that Christian has an edge - he's a gay guy that could probably be a right bitch if he wants to be! If Christian wasn't gay, I think him and Roxy would be perfect for each other, but unfortunately he is uber-gay so that's never going to happen! But I think they'll always be together - even when they're old and grey. Roxy is part of the package as far as Christian is concerned."
Do you think Roxy is always well-intentioned when it comes to Christian and Syed's relationship?
"I think she is always well-intentioned, yes. Even if a bit of the green-eyed monster comes out every now and again, she loves Christian. You have to remember that Roxy doesn't have any other mates - she hasn't got anyone else. So sometimes she might think, 'Oh Syed, just get lost!' But she knows how Christian feels about him and she knows that more than anybody. It's harmless, really - when it comes down to it, she knows how Christian feels and I don't think she would do anything to hurt him intentionally."
Do you think we'll ever get back to the point where Christian and Syed are spending a lot of screen time with the Masoods, and maybe resolving some of the issues there?
"Well, like I say, we're just starting this story and of course, yes, I do think we will get back to that. I do think that will happen throughout the story because obviously there has to be some type of resolution. So in a word, yes, I think those issues will start to be resolved. We may not have the outcome that people want and it may not come about in the way that people think, but some of those issues will be addressed, yes. I don't think we'd be serving the story or the characters well if these things were just left unaddressed."
