Rob Kazinsky and Gillian Wright’s on-screen ‘EastEnders’ chemistry is "transfixing".
That’s according to the BBC One soap’s new executive producer Jon Sen, who says fans will not be able to "take [their] eyes away" from the pair when they are reunited as mother and son, Jean and Sean Slater.
He said: "When you see the bond between Sean and Jean, but also the real chemistry, the on-screen chemistry between Gillian and Rob, you can’t take your eyes away from it. It’s transfixing."
Sean is to return to Albert Square in the coming weeks, after nine years away from Walford, to see his mum, who is battling ovarian cancer.
And Jon admits that while the diagnosis has been terrible for Jean, it is also "one of the best things that’s ever happened to her" because she is reunited with her boy.
He said: "We wanted to show just how close that bond is between mother and son.
"And we’re telling the story that, yes, Jean’s cancer has been terrible for her but, in a way, has been one of the best things that’s ever happened to her because it’s shown her inner-courage and it’s brought back her son."
Gillian believes the cancer storyline is a particularly important plot to cover because the soap has a "responsibility" to portray issues affecting real-life people.
Speaking in a joint interview in a video on EastEnders’ Twitter account, she added: "I think it’s important ‘EastEnders’ does a storyline about cancer because they have a responsibility to reflect life today."