Rhona Goskirk
| Rhona Goskirk | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||
| Emmerdale character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Zoe Henry | ||||||||
| Duration | 2001–2002, 2010– | ||||||||
| First appearance |
Episode 3005 17 September 2001 | ||||||||
| Introduced by |
Steve Frost (2001, 2002) Gavin Blyth (2010) | ||||||||
| Spin-off appearances | Paddy and Marlon's Big Night In (2011) | ||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||
| Occupation | Veterinary Surgeon | ||||||||
| Home | Smithy Cottage | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Rhona Goskirk[1] is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, Emmerdale, played by Zoe Henry. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 September 2001. The character was introduced by series producer Steve Frost and appeared initially in 2001 and 2002. She returned to Emmerdale as a full-time character in March 2010, reintroduced by series producer Gavin Blyth. She has been through storylines including giving birth to Leo Goskirk, who has Down's Syndrome, marrying Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt), becoming addicted to painkillers, discovering Paddy's affair with her friend Tess Harris (Nicola Stephenson) after the latter's death, pursuing a manipulative relationship with Tess's widower Pierce Harris (Jonathan Wrather), her near-death in the soap's biggest stunt known as "No Return Week" and marital rape at the hands of Pierce.
Casting
Henry joined the cast of Emmerdale as Rhona Goskirk in 2001 for an initial seven episodes.[2] The actress returned in 2002 for another brief stint, departing in December.[2] On 13 February 2010, Kris Green of Digital Spy reported Henry had reprised her role and Rhona would be returning to Emmerdale later in the year.[3]
Storylines
2001–2002
Rhona first appeared in the village in September 2001 as a locum, helping Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) and covering for Zoe Tate (Leah Bracknell), whilst she was on holiday. She and Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) began dating as his ex-girlfriend, Tricia Fisher (Sheree Murphy), had left him and the village. However, Tricia returned and Rhona left not long after. Rhona returned in June 2002 to cover for Zoe as she was incapable of work, due to mental illness. She and Marlon soon resumed their relationship and realized they had several shared interests, including Laurel and Hardy films and design. When Tricia found out, she was very upset but Rhona left again in December.
2010–
Rhona returned in 2010, covering for Paddy after his foster son Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller) attacked him. Rhona stayed for a few weeks and clashed with receptionist Pearl Ladderbanks (Meg Johnson), as she wanted to protect Paddy. It was later revealed that in her absence, Rhona had married and divorced. Rhona completed her contract and left but returned when Paddy needed to care for Aaron, following his suicide attempt. As no one knew how long Aaron's recovery might take, Rhona stayed with Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher) and Ryan Lamb (James Sutton) but moved in with Marlon, Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw) and Lizzie Lakely (Kitty McGeever). She left when she realised she was in love with Paddy. She confided in Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) that her relationship with Paddy had become difficult and was seriously considering leaving so Laurel told Paddy to sort things out with her before she left.
Rhona discovered she was expecting Marlon's baby. When she learns that the baby has Down's syndrome, she considers a termination but decides not to after talking to Hazel Rhodes (Pauline Quirke). On 1 February, she has a scan and discovers that the sonographer is an old school friend, Stephanie Ray, and she tells Paddy and Marlon that Rhona was very rebellious when she was at school. Rhona tries to set Marlon and Stephanie up but he wasn't keen. Marlon decided that they should try pregnancy yoga and Rhona agrees but decides to go alone, because Marlon is very irritating. She has another scan in March and is told everything is fine but is so worried that they visit a Downs Syndrome support group. In April, she and Paddy tell Aaron about the baby's condition and are touched by his reaction. She gets Braxton Hicks Contractions twice before giving birth to a boy they name Leo.
Rhona starts to make plans to propose. However, Paddy gets drunk and Rhona cannot go through with it. Paddy tells Rhona that he feels getting married is unnecessary but proposes when he feels guilty and she accepts. Paddy is offered a job in New Zealand and he and Rhona agree to go but Marlon refuses to let them take Leo. Consequently, Paddy and Rhona ask Marlon to go with them and he agrees but later changes his mind. Rhona tells Marlon that she is still taking Leo but Marlon tells them that he has taken legal action to stop them. After a lot of debate between Rhona and Laurel about taking Leo to New Zealand, Rhona and Leo leave but Paddy has to stay after being arrested for assaulting a police officer. Rhona and Leo return after Marlon tells Paddy to tell Rhona to come back voluntarily or be forced to return as they have another court date. Paddy's licence to practice as a vet is suspended because of his arrest so Rhona's old friend, Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick), helps out but she annoys Paddy. However, Vanessa buys a share in the surgery and when Paddy is able to return, he, Rhona and Vanessa all have their names above the door.
Rhona's life takes a turn for the worse when she becomes addicted to the painkillers prescribed for a back injury. Like many addicts, her personality changes and she becomes aggressive. Vanessa sees Rhona raid the surgery's drugs cabinet, warning her of the penalties if she is caught. Rhona apologises and hides while Leo cries in his cot. Vanessa sees this and is shocked by Rhona's state. She tells her that Leo is fine before giving her a pill to make her feel better. This helps initially but Rhona's dependence worsens dramatically. Vanessa tries to help Rhona wean herself off the painkillers and confesses that she has fallen in love with Rhona. Rhona initially spurns her affection before giving in as Vanessa is now her dealer but also buys drugs from a dealer named Gary. Paddy and others are suspicious of Rhona's odd behaviour. Paddy checks her phone and sees that she is contacting Gary and lying about where she goes. When he confronts her and grabs her phone, Rhona screams and attacks Paddy before demanding that he leave. However, Rhona's addiction leads her to put herself and others in danger as when visiting different pharmacies to get painkillers, she and Laurel are carjacked by Ross Barton (Michael Parr). Rhona is also unaware of the damage that the drugs are doing to her body and only realises when she is rushed to hospital after collapsing. The doctor tells her that her kidneys are about to collapse so Marlon, feeling Paddy has to look after Rhona, removes Leo. Losing residency of her son and attending rehab help Rhona get and stay clean.
After Vanessa brings her son, Johnny, home from hospital, Rhona realises that she wants another baby. As she has not got pregnant again, she decides to adopt and discusses it with Paddy. He agrees and the references selected by Paddy and Rhona include Aaron, Pearl and Leo's teacher, Tess Harris (Nicola Stephenson). Tess befriends Rhona and tells her that she is in love with a married man. Rhona encourages Tess to go for it, saying life is too short but after Tess dies, Rhona learns that Paddy is Tess's married man. Initially Rhona insists on carrying on as normal but soon realises that she and Paddy cannot stay together, let alone adopt a child, as things are so bad between them that they didn't realise that Leo was hurting April.
In March 2016, Rhona tells Pierce Harris (Jonathan Wrather), Tess' widower, that Paddy was Tess' lover so Pierce punched Paddy. Later, Rhona discover Aaron and Chas knew that Paddy was having an affair. Not long afterwards, Rhona gets involved with Pierce who harbours a dark secret. Initially her friends and family think this a bad idea but come round when they see that Pierce and Rhona are happy together. In October, after Rhona and Pierce argue, she goes camping with Paddy, Marlon and Leo. However, Pierce arrives and they argue again. After Pierce leaves, Paddy and Rhona go after him and are involved in a pile up, caused by Emma Barton (Gillian Kearney) pushing her husband, James, from a bridge. Rhona and Paddy are badly injured but they all survive and Rhona continues her relationship with Pierce.
In January 2017, Rhona and Pierce's abusive relationship takes a more sinister turn when Pierce attempts to have sex with Rhona, believing she is aroused. Rhona insists she is not in the mood, although Pierce ignores her and tries to seduce her. Off-screen, they have sex, and in another scene immediately after the act, Rhona appears silent and confused, in contrast to Pierce's chirpiness, leaving a question mark over whether Rhona had consented to the sex. Despite Pierce forcing himself on her again, she agrees to marry him on Valentine's Day, although she has shared a kiss with Paddy. Pierce overhears Rhona and Paddy discussing the kiss, unaware that Pierce has overheard; On her wedding day, Paddy gives Rhona his mother's necklace and she and Pierce marry. Pierce shows Rhona information of a Lake District veterinary practice lease, but Rhona is surprised he acquired it without discussion and, when Pierce suggests Rhona is not over Paddy, Rhona admits she drunkenly kissed Paddy. He insults her so she attempts to flee the house, however, Pierce drags her back in the house and jealously rips the necklace off. Pierce holds her down on the floor before raping her. He attempts to shift the blame onto Rhona but, under pretence of showering, a shocked Rhona escapes the house, goes to the police station and reports her rape. Rhona is taken to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, where she is examined. Rhona leaves during the interview and orders Pierce to get out or she'll phone the police. Rhona almost confides in Marlon, later, after putting Leo to bed, she breaks down on the stairs. Pierce tells her things will be worse if she does tell the police.
Reception
In August 2017, Henry was longlisted for Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards.[4] The nomination made the viewer-voted shortlist,[5] although Henry lost out to Lucy Fallon, who portrays Bethany Platt in Coronation Street.[6]
References
- ↑ Emmerdale's Pierce Harris brutally rapes Rhona Goskirk on their wedding day as she tries to leave him
- 1 2 Waterfall, Sarah (4 November 2004). "Culture: Birth of a class act". The Birmingham Post. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ↑ Green, Kris (13 February 2010). "Zoe Henry returns to 'Emmerdale'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ↑ Harp, Justin (22 August 2017). "Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks all make the Inside Soap Awards longlist". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (31 October 2017). "Inside Soap Awards 2017 shortlist revealed – which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up for prizes?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ↑ Dainty, Sophie (6 November 2017). "Emmerdale wins best soap at the Inside Soap Awards for the third year running". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 6 November 2017.