Zoe’s character, Rhona Goskirk, will be subjected to a horrifying ordeal as she is raped by her husband Pierce Harris (played by Jonathan Wrather) just hours after their wedding.
Zoe, 34, is a mother-of-two with her Emmerdale co-star Jeff Hordley, 47, who plays Cain Dingle on the ITV favourite.
She said that she wouldn’t be letting her children watch the scenes because she would “find it a bit difficult”.
“I’m the mother of a 12-year-old girl and in the next five years she’ll be growing up and moving on,” she told The Mirror. “It’s more relevant than ever for me now.
“My kids won’t be watching the episode, because I’d find it a bit difficult. But I will probably sit down and talk her through it when I have some time.”
The actress emphasised the relevance of soaps and the important stories they tell in covering issues such as non-consensual sex and teenage pregnancy.
Zoe also said that she had been concerned when some fans questioned whether Pierce’s earlier abuse of Rhona was rape or not, adding: “With this, there really is no grey are – non-consensual sex is rape.”
She previously opened up about filming the traumatic rape, telling the Daily Star that the scene is “shocking” and “brutal”.
Viewers have watched on as sinister Pierce has grown more manipulative and abusive of Rhona, eventually forcing himself upon her in scenes aired in January.
Last week, Pierce learned that Rhona had kissed her ex-husband Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) when he eavesdropped on their conversation.
Fans of the show also saw his threatening side come out again when the mysterious Martha (Elaine Claxton) showed up and was revealed to be his mother.
Pierce was seen grabbing his estranged mum by the wrist and hurting her as he warned her to stay away from him and Rhona.
Emmerdale continues tonight at 7pm on ITV.
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