Emmerdale fans ecstatic over Pierce verdict but worried he could still escape justice

After months of panicking that he would escape justice, Emmerdale fans were jumping up and down on their sofas with joy/ relief/ maybe a bit of Friday night gin as Pierce Harris was found guilty of raping wife Rhona.

He was sentenced to five years in prison.

One viewer posted: “Pierce has been found guilty YES!”

Another added: “I’m so glad Pierce was found guilty and Rhona got justice for the 94% of raped spouses that do not get the same result.”

But while people were happy to see Pierce face justice, the verdict was bittersweet for soap fans as actor Jonathan Wrather, who plays Pierce, is a firm favourite. And obviously, when you’re sent to prison for five years, it’s quite likely you won’t be a key player on the show.

OR WILL YOU?

Viewers have speculated that Pierce could get out on appeal, or that we could see his story and what happens next from inside prison.

And Jonathan himself has kept the door open with a few veiled hints.

Alright, now we’re a mix of excited about Jonathan and gutted for Rhona. It’s very confusing being a soap fan.

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“Who knows?” Jonathan told the Radio Times when they asked if this was the end of his time on the show. “There’s a number of twists left. You’ll have to wait and see. And if he can be properly honest with himself, then perhaps we could see some redemption.

“Can we forgive someone by understanding where their behaviour comes from, or is it just their responsibility? How would the audience feel about redemption for him? Genuinely, I don’t know…”

 

 

Viewers last saw Pierce in his prison cell looking absolutely terrified. Meanwhile Rhona was being comforted by her crew, Paddy, Vanessa and Marlon.

But Zoe Henry who plays Rhona told Metro that her situation may not be all joy and breeziness and casual wines down the Woolpack now either.

“It’s like that elation when something has happened but what she’s expecting to feel – and I don’t know what it is – isn’t there and there’s just an emptiness because actually she got the verdict she wanted but her life is a mess,” she said.

Rhona’s trial was an emotional rollercoaster but through it all, that fringe was still perfect (Credit: ITV)

“Her husband is in prison and she deserted all of her friends during the last year, she’s given her part of the practice away – albeit in return for her house – she’s in a situation that isn’t actually brilliant and emotionally she isn’t brilliant either.

“So it’s an odd time for her because she should feel glad but she doesn’t, she doesn’t really feel at all because of the numbness.”

Oh God, all we want is some joy for Rhona. Maybe in the form of a cheeky snog with Paddy.

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Many viewers discussed the fact that although the verdict was the right one, it wasn’t reflective of the sad reality – which is that many rape trials end in a not-guilty verdict.

Pierce raped Rhona on their wedding day (Credit: ITV)

Jonathan acknowledged that this was a tricky balance to play out.

Thankfully Vanessa’s false testimony didn’t mess things up for her mate (Credit: ITV)

“We had a responsibility to show Pierce getting his comeuppance, but in reality it might have been more realistic if the verdict had been different – that would’ve been another way to tell the story,” he told the Radio Times.

“But it’s been heading towards this verdict and we don’t want to discourage anybody from speaking up about these kind of situations.

“The reality of what’s happened will hit Pierce like a ton of bricks. His initial reaction is shock and devastation but I think it will take a while for it to seep through. Prison will be a culture shock for him.”

That sounds to us like we are getting more Pierce and seeing his story play out behind bars, what do you reckon?