Emmerdale’s Tom King has been mentally abusing and controlling his wife Belle for months – and our exclusive photos reveal what’s next in the harrowing domestic violence storyline. Ahead of Wednesday’s episode actor James Chase revealed what it’s like playing the brutal character
Emmerdale’s villainous Tom King has been emotionally torturing and coercing his scared wife, Belle, in the horrific domestic abuse plotline for five months.
Tom will take it to another level this week, however, by physically and angrily striking out at Belle after her persuasion to go to Wales for a romantic break.
And as our exclusive images reveal, tempers will tragically spiral out of control, Belle left frightened for her safety.
Actor James Chase, 28, who plays Tom, admits even his proud parents have branded their son’s TV character a “complete bas*ard” as the soap’s millions of viewers pray Belle will be able to find the strength to leave her abusive husband. Now in his first newspaper interview ahead of Wednesday’s shocking episode.
The horrible abuse is scheduled to become more severe.
“Mum and dad have been so supportive of me and ever since I was 12 and told them I wanted to be an actor; they have always been there for me,” he tells the Mirror.
“They believe he is a terrible bas*tard, but like myself, they are rather proud of me for obtaining the job of Tom.Some of the terrible things he says as they watch me on Emmerdale astound them. Nobody in their right mind would say what Tom says to Belle and even though I understood it was going to be a domestic violence plot, I have been startled by the degrees he would go to.
James claims that his folks detest the on-screen persona he inhabits on Emmerdale.
“But being part of this plot with Eden, who portrays Belle, makes me really proud. If my narrative enables one individual to have the guts to escape away from something so terrible, then that would be amazing.
With our Justice For Our Daughters campaign, the Mirror has also been supporting the battle against domestic violence and coercive control, stressing on when such abuse becomes fatal.
James has been a major campaign supporter as well as very moved by the amount of individuals he has encountered on the street to share with him how much his stories means to them.
Thousands of people watching hope Belle finds freedom.
One in four individuals really suffer domestic violence, and every thirty seconds police get a request for aid according to Refuge Charity, who have informed the managers of the show.
Last month, Derbyshire Police tweeted James thanking him for his contribution.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he recalls, “Derbyshire Police discussing how excellent Emmerdale’s coverage of domestic abuse was. Seeing a police force tweeting about it was very fantastic.
“I have heard from a few folks who said years ago they had an abusive spouse. They said it was interesting to see the narrative presented in such great clarity. In the case of Tom and Belle, for instance, a soap does fit to be able to display even little actions like him informing her he doesn’t like her laundry presentation. Such minute detail reveals how every element of her life now reflects control.
“Thanksfully people are quite understanding and realise it is a character and not me when I meet them on the street.”
James claims he always knew his character would finally become violent against Belle ever since he acquired the job of Tom in April 2023.
How then does it feel to be the most despised soap villain in Britain? Grinning, he adds, “It’s been fun to play such a hated character,” but he also finds great significance in making sure he does it perfect.
“I knew it would be a domestic violence storyline when they offered me the part, but I wasn’t sure to what degree,” he says. “At first, it shocked me.” Although it takes some getting accustomed to, as an actor playing interesting and complex characters is fantastic. Indeed, it may be difficult at times; but, for me, it has been very crucial to ensure I do it properly.
After the couple married the wedding, viewers saw the mistreatment begin in February. Tom’s mental influence over Belle has steadily grown since then.
Now, when Tom takes Belle away to Wales on Wednesday [July 24], things are poised to go bad.
James says “He almost sees himself as a medieval king as he is so old fashioned and knows she won’t fight back.” Then he strikes out at her.
James strikes me as a nice, down-to-earth actor who is very different from his horrible movie alter persona as he talks. And it’s obvious even he still can’t quite believe that his boyhood desire to grow up and become a TV villain, like his idol Tom Cruise, will have quite this much influence.
“I have been acting ever since I was twelve and used to see a lot of movies with my dad,” he says. “I recall dreaming I would one day achieve success too when seeing Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. Though I never imagined it would be this huge, I always dreamed of portraying a villain.
Working with Eden, Belle is very wonderful. She is as committed as I am to ensure we get this narrative correct. I am having fun all around.
The horrible torture is scheduled to become more intense.
Growing up in Leicester with his elder sister Izzy and retired parents, he admits it was she who motivated him to seek an acting career. He says: “I used to perform a lot of youth shows when I was growing up but I can remember being so inspired by my sister, who was also an actor at the time. She starred in Match Girls, a program that really motivated me to pursue acting.
He attended Mountview acting school in London and then landed many roles, including ones in Robin of Loxley and the Beginning and End of Everything, until an audition came up to be the fourth actor to portray Tom, the son of murdered Carl Lister, in Emmerdale.
James praises his former roles in ensuring he turns off as soon as the horrific moments between Tom and Belle have been shot.
The mistreatment began in February.
Says James: “I have undoubtedly benefited from playing previous characters who have been less than perfect before. Playing someone so different and encountering a world so distant from oneself is interesting. Though I am so focused on ensuring I nail the scene and do it well, it is uncommon that I will walk away feeling depressed.
“The thing with Emmerdale too is you will film six to nine scenes in a day, so you not have time to reflect too much.”
James, a reserved guy, keeps his personal life out of public view but claims to visit his family whenever he has free time in Leicester. He continues, grinning, “Mum and dad are so proud.” “They had purchased all of my front cover magazines and placed them on the coffee table when I last visited home!
“I really appreciate what they have done.”
James, like any TV soap villain, knows his time will finally run out on the soap but the exact date is still unknown for now. “It’s good that this plot won’t linger indefinitely,” James says. “I know there will be a finite conclusion but working with everyone on Emmerdale is a dream in itself and I am glad to be part of it all.”
Today's spoilers for General Hospital show that lives are in disarray! Carly takes Donna to…
Does this have to do with Laura and Heather? Spoilers for Wednesday, August 7's episode…
Maurice Benard hinted that the climax to Sonny’s latest story is at hand and stated…
Rumours and spoilers for General Hospital hint that Dex Heller (Evan Hofer) could not be…
Spoilers for General Hospital hint that TJ Ashford (Tajh Bellow) and Molly Lansing-Davis (Kristen Vaganos)…
Will the kingpin’s son come to his rescue? Bryan Craig and Maurice Benard, General Hospital (Image…