EastEnders: Dot Branning’s homophobia resurfaces as Colin Russell returns to Albert Square
By Will Stroude
The return of EastEnders‘ first ever gay character, Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman), sparked a moral quandary for iconic Walford resident character Dot Branning (June Brown) when it was revealed that she turned down an invitation to his wedding in last night’s episode (September 8).
In the episode, Dot revealed to Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) that she’d been invited to a friend’s wedding, but insisted that she wouldn’t be going.
“I can’t go,” she explained. “I want to go but it isn’t right. They shouldn’t be getting married.”
Religiously-minded Dot, who has previously helped friend Ethel commit suicide and left her son Nick to die from an overdose, stops short of confirming to Sonia – who is also gay – that she doesn’t want to go because the wedding is between two men.
Way to read the room, Dot.
Sonia tries to convince Dot to change her mind, but she’s adamant: “Look, I got an invitation and I thought about it and I decided no and I don’t want to talk about it anymore”.
Having predicted Dot’s reluctance to join him in his big day, Colin arrives just in the nick of time to try and change her mind: “Hello Dot. I had a feeling you might not turn up unless I came for you,” he said.
Back in the ’80s, Dot’s homophobic views led to her starting a rumour that Colin had AIDS, after she discovered he was gay. Despite this, the pair managed to build a friendship; but will Dot’s stubbornness cost her Colin’s friendship once and for all this time?
EastEnders continues tonight (September 9) on BBC One at 8pm.
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