Lucas Johnson

Lucas Johnson
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Don Gilet
Duration	2008–2010, 2016
First appearance	Episode 3554 3 April 2008 (2008-04-03)
Last appearance	Episode 5244 10 March 2016 (2016-03-10)
Introduced by	Diederick Santer (2008) Dominic Treadwell-Collins (2016)
Spin-off appearances	EastEnders: E20 (2010)
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Occupation	Pastor Community centre manager
Family Sisters Gloria MacDonald Wife Trina Johnson (until 2009) Denise Fox (2009–2011) Sons Jordan Johnson Daughters Chelsea Fox Stepdaughters Libby Fox

Lucas Aaron Johnson^[1] is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Don Gilet. He made his first on-screen appearance on 3 April 2008.^[2] Lucas is introduced as a reformed drug addict and criminal-cum-preacher and estranged father of established character Chelsea Fox. He has a son, Jordan, and goes on to marry Chelsea's mother, Denise. Gilet has described Lucas as having "Jekyll and Hyde" aspects to his character. Despite his religious convictions, Lucas leaves his ex-wife Trina to die, murders Denise's ex-husband Owen, drowns his son's dog, Sugar, and strangles Denise and locks her in a basement while allowing her family to believe she has killed herself, killing another woman to use as Denise's supposed body. This multi-faceted personality was further explored in the BBC Three special EastEnders: The Two Faces of Lucas.^[3] The character also appears in the spin-off series EastEnders: E20. He departed from EastEnders on 30 July 2010 at the conclusion of his storyline. Lucas made a previously unannounced appearance on 1 January 2016 before making a temporary return later in the year, departing again on 10 March 2016.^[4]

Storylines

Backstory

Lucas was born in 1969. Growing up, he was addicted to drugs and ended up in a relationship with Denise Fox (Diane Parish). They had a daughter together who they named Chelsea (Tiana Benjamin). Lucas walked out on Denise three weeks after Chelsea was born as he could not cope with fatherhood.

Lucas was responsible for the death of his best friend Jordan, who died trying to protect him from drug dealers.

Lucas was still using when he met Trina (Sharon Duncan-Brewster), whom he went on to marry. Lucas stopped using but Trina was still using when she fell pregnant. She gave birth to a son who they named Jordan (Michael-Joel David Stuart, Joivan Wade). He was born addicted to heroin. Trina walked out on Jordan a day after he was born, leaving Lucas to bring him up on his own.

He later became a preacher and joined the church.

2008-2016

Lucas first appears when Chelsea and her friend Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix), attend a bible class. Chelsea is shocked to learn that the preacher is her father. Chelsea later questions Lucas's past and he is left speechless when she reveals who she is. A few weeks later, on Chelsea's 22nd birthday, her friend Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) calls Lucas. Chelsea isn't pleased to see him and he overhears her telling Patrick that he didn't care if she was alive until she found him. Patrick, his wife Yolande (Angela Wynter) and Chelsea's sister Libby (Belinda Owusu) leave them to talk. Lucas tells Chelsea that he would have destroyed her if he'd come back. He also tells her that he's been praying to God to bring her back since she showed up at the church and that Patrick's phone call was the answer to his prayers. He tells her that he wants to take her out for her birthday but that he'll go if she doesn't want to come. He returns that night and Chelsea comes out. He introduces her to Jordan. Lucas returns the following day. When Chelsea sees Lucas in the living room, she has a go at him. Lucas tries to explain to Chelsea that things were different when Jordan was born. He is also forced to tell Patrick and Yolande about him. They are surprised by Chelsea's reaction as it means she has a brother. Chelsea tells Lucas that she doesn't want to see him or Jordan again.

On 5 June 2008, Patrick calls Lucas as Chelsea has started taking drugs and he thinks Lucas might be able to help her. He brings him back to the house and goes to get her from her room but comes down and tells Lucas and Libby that Chelsea's window is opened and she's gone. Lucas returns the following day to help Patrick look for her. They try the salon where she works and R&R nightclub. Lucas hears Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) say that he's having a party there. Lucas gives his phone number to Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) and Keith Miller (David Spinx). Patrick tells Lucas that Denise is only a few days from coming back. Lucas tells Patrick they need to get Chelsea home safely before Denise returns. When Lucas sees a woman getting a man's phone number, he grabs hold of her thinking it's drugs but soon realises what it really is. Lucas talks to Mickey Miller (Joe Swash) about Chelsea. When he describes Bradley, Lucas remembers that his having a party at the club. Lucas goes to the club and sees Chelsea being crowded by a load of men, one of them being Bradley's friend Piers (Simon Delaney). Lucas tries to get Chelsea away from them and punches Piers in the face after he says he paid good money for her. Lucas takes Chelsea home, when Denise arrives and sees Lucas. Lucas cradles Chelsea into the house while Denise is ordering him to leave her alone. Lucas leaves on Denise's orders. He later overhears her telling Yolande that he is evil and that she's a fool if she believes he's changed. Denise refuses to believe that Lucas has changed and is shocked to learn that it was Chelsea who came to him. He also tells her everything else. Him and Patrick later walk in on Denise slapping Chelsea during an argument in which Denise tries to stop Chelsea from moving in with Lucas. Lucas tells Denise that they both let Chelsea down and gives her his phone number for when she wants to talk. Lucas later rents a flat on the square in order to be closer to Chelsea, despite Denise trying to sabotage it. On 24 June 2008, Denise reluctantly agrees to take Lucas to Peckham in a taxi, on condition that he doesn't talk to her. On the way back Lucas answers a question and Denise stops the taxi. She bibs the horn and her friend Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia) comes over and orders Lucas to get out of the taxi. Denise later gives Lucas her blessing to be part of Chelsea's life.

On 7 August 2008, Lucas reveals to Claire that he tried to hang himself when he was in a police cell.

Lucas employs peadophile, Tony King (Chris Coghill) to work with kids in his youth club. When Lucas calls round to his house to talk about the club, Tony's girlfriend Bianca (Patsy Palmer)'s stepdaughter Whitney (Shona McGarty) (who Tony is in a secret relationship with) has herself locked in her room. Bianca can't get her to come out so turns to Lucas for advice. Lucas tries to convince her to let him in and succeeds but Whitney eventually turns her back on him to. Bianca reacts badly to this and breaks down Whitney's door.

When Denise starts becoming over protective of Libby, Lucas worries that she will disown her if she keeps it up. Lucas talks to Libby about this. When Denise finds out, she calls Lucas round to the house and slaps him across the face. Lucas tells Denise he did it because he doesn't want to see Libby and Chelsea disowning her. During an argument, Lucas kisses Denise. A few weeks later he takes Chelsea out for dinner and tells her about the kiss. Chelsea reacts badly to this and tells Lucas that he isn't been honest with himself. Lucas tells Chelsea that he isn't interested in Denise, which she overhears. Patrick, Libby and Chelsea later set Denise and Lucas up by locking them in the house together. Lucas and Denise find this amusing. Patrick, Libby and Chelsea soon decide to let them out and find them kissing. Lucas later tells Denise he won't have sex before marriage.

When Tony's relationship with Whitney is revealed, most of the locals are angry with Lucas for letting a peadophile work with kids and some of them including Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) come and protest outside the youth club. Denise and Lucas see this and get them to back off. Lucas is later attacked by an unknown assailant. He tells Denise that he should give up on the youth club but Denise tells him that if he does, their finished to. Phil later tells Denise that he saw Lucas getting into a taxi.

On 9 January 2009, Lucas offers to help a drunken Denise off the ground. He calls round for dinner the following day and tries to sort things out with her but they end up arguing. Lucas later tells Denise that he has taking a job offer in Leeds. Zainab has a go at Denise for been so willing to let Lucas go and persuades her to go after him. Denise asks Lucas to marry her and he says yes. Jordan later reveals that Lucas is still married to Trina. Denise reacts badly to this and has a go at Lucas but he tells her his started divorce proceedings.

Lucas gets a job at Ian's fish and chip shop. When homeless woman, Pearl Rogers (Su Elliot) comes into the shop, Lucas wants to help her but Ian orders him to get rid of her. On 20 February 2009, Ian catches Lucas given Pearl and other homeless people free chips. Lucas and Ian argue in front of his wife Jane (Laurie Brett), Zainab and her son Tamwar (Himesh Patel) in which Lucas tells Ian he quits.

Lucas opens up a soup van, much to the annoyance of Ian and Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).

Trina turns up on the square and sees Lucas. She comes into the soup van and talks to Lucas. She asks to see Jordan before closing the van. Patrick and Denise see this and Patrick goes round the back of the van. He suspects that Lucas is cheating on Denise when he sees Trina before finding out who she really is. After finding out that they slept together at Christmas, Patrick confronts Lucas and urges him to tell Denise. After finding a photo of a negro, who happens to be Patrick, charged with assault, in the 1958 Notting Hill race riots from her boyfriend Theo (Rolan Bell)'s book, Chelsea shows it to Lucas. After hearing what it was like to live in the 1950s from Patrick during a family meal, Lucas shows him the photo and tells Patrick that he'll tell Denise about Trina as long as he tells her about his involvement in the riots. Patrick agrees. Patrick reacts badly when Lucas calls Theo.

In June 2009, Chelsea cheats on Theo when she has a one night stand with footballer Ellis Prince (Michael Obiora). Theo splits up with Chelsea when he finds out about this. When Ellis calls round to the house to pick Chelsea up, Lucas and Denise don't approve. Lucas later finds drugs in Chelsea's handbag. He confronts her and tells her to flush it away and go to bed. Ellis calls Chelsea from outside the nightclub and is punched in the side of the face by Lucas. Chelsea later leaves with Ellis, leaving a note for Lucas and Denise. When Denise sees this, she tells Lucas that she is going to Ellis's football club to pick her up. Lucas tells her that might not be a good idea and talks her out of it.

They are later seen kissing by Trina. The following day, Lucas finds out that Jordan has been bunking off school. Jordan tells him that the reason is because he's been meeting up with Trina. Lucas then calls Trina from Jordan's phone and warns her not to contact him again. When Denise and Lucas go out for a drink, Trina disturbs them and introduces herself to Denise. Lucas drags her outside and voilently pushes her telling her to stay away from him and Jordan. Denise sees this. She later tells Lucas that he scared her. Lucas tells Denise what happened when Jordan was born and that he won't let her ruin his life. Denise asks Trina round for dinner much to Lucas's annoyance. When Denise tells Trina about her and Lucas's divorce, she doesn't know why they'd be getting divorced and tells her that they slept together at Christmas. Denise and Lucas throw Trina out of the house and Lucas tells Denise that she's lying. Patrick later tells Denise about Lucas's blackmail over the Notting Hill riots and Denise throws him out. Lucas is taken in by Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement). Denise later agrees to give Lucas another chance but sees Trina come downstairs. Lucas tells Denise he didn't sleep with her and had no idea she was there. He later gets proof from Liam Butcher (James Forde). Denise then gives Lucas another chance and he moves back in with her. Trina later calls the police after she finds a note in Jordan's handwriting saying "please don't hurt me again, dad loves you". Social services call round to the house to investigate Jordan's safety but Denise tells them that it was a joke. Her and Lucas soon realise that it was Trina who called the police. They later confront Trina and she tells them that she did it because she thought Jordan was in danger. Lucas gets a phone call to say that Jordan has been bunking off school. Lucas assumes that it's because he's been spending time with Trina. Jordan later tells Lucas and Denise that he's moving in with Trina. Lucas gets Jordan to stay by ordering him to his room. Denise later finds Jordan missing with his window opened. Trina calls round to the house and tells Lucas and Denise that Jordan has moved in with her.

A few weeks later, Jordan returns and reveals that Trina is in court. Trina later tells Lucas and Denise that she has agreed to a divorce and was in court to start proceedings. Jordan also gives her a bracelet and she promises not to take it off until she dies. A few weeks later, Trina turns up on Jordan's birthday. She gives Jordan a phone as a birthday present. She then goes to the bathroom, where she takes drugs. When she comes down she starts behaving erratically and Lucas threatens to throw her out. When she throws Jordan's phone across the room, Lucas throws her out. Outside, Trina tries to goad Denise into a fight. The following day, Trina meets up with Lucas and begs him for money but he refuses to give it to her. Trina later tries to embarrass Lucas in front of his perisioners but he throws her out. She later calls round to the house and asks Lucas if she can have a shower. Lucas reluctantly agrees. Trina comes down topless and Lucas gives into her and they sleep together. The following day, Lucas regrets his actions and leaves a message on Trina's phone to say it shouldn't have happened. Trina calls round to the house to apologise to Denise and Lucas for her behaviour on Jordan's birthday. She calls round again later when Lucas is on his own, with the idea that their back together. Lucas sets Trina straight. She threatens to tell Denise the truth and play her the message he left on her phone. Lucas later arranges to meet Trina. He gives her £1,000 to get her out of him and Jordan's life. Trina is convinced that Lucas still loves her and shows him the bracelet Jordan gave her as a symbol for their relationship. Lucas snatches it from her telling her she doesn't deserve it. She starts flirting with him and trying to kiss him. Lucas pushes Trina away. She accidentally falls on a rake and impales her throat. Lucas walks away, refusing to help her. Trina calls Denise but dies before the call connects. Lucas goes back to check on Trina and sees Denise's number dialled on her phone and rejects the call. Lucas covers up her death by putting drugs around her body. A few days later, Lucas goes to check on Trina's body and finds it decomposed. Her body is later found by Jordan and his friend Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald). Lucas is questioned by DC Deane Cunningham (Zoe Henry). Trina's phone rings at the police station when she gets a call from Lucas. The police then identify the body as Trina's. Denise is arrested for Trina's murder after Ian calls the police but the coroner later give a veredict of accidental death. Chelsea later catches Lucas with Trina's bracelet. Lucas tells her that he found it in Denise's handbag and that she shouldn't say anything. Chelsea agrees. Lucas runs Trina's funeral service.

When Denise's ex-husband Owen Turner (Lee Ross) is released from prison, Libby immediately starts having contact with him, which Denise doesn't approve of. Libby's boyfriend Darren Miller (Charlie G. Hawkins) has a go at Denise for been so over protective of Libby. Denise agrees to meet Owen and tells Lucas she won't be afraid of him. Owen calls round to the house and Lucas watches them talk from the gardens. The pair are introduced and Lucas immediately takes a disliking to Owen. When he comes round for dinner, Lucas keeps steering at him. They later go for a walk in which Lucas punches Owen in the stomach and tells him that Denise is his. Owen pins Lucas up against the wall and tells him that his evil ways will come back to haunt him and that he'll see him around. Owen later tells Denise about this and shows her the bruise. Denise doesn't beilieve that Lucas would do something like that. Lucas later admits it and Denise orders him to apologise, which he does. He later goes round to Dot Branning (June Brown)'s house (where Owen is staying), armed with a knife. He tells Owen that he'll give him a week to leave Walford. A week later, when Owen hasn't left, Lucas calls the police and has Owen put back in prison. When Libby visits Owen in prison, he tells her it was Lucas. When Libby asks Lucas this, he doesn't deny it. During a row over dinner, Denise calls off the wedding but later puts it back on. Lucas later catches Owen's mother Liz (Kate Williams) rooting around the house. Owen is released from prison in time for the wedding. He turns up at Denise's hen party to try and talk her out of marrying Lucas. Chelsea later tells Owen about Trina's bracelet. Owen confronts Lucas about this. Lucas uses Phil's car to get to the church. Owen surprises Lucas when he unexpectedly creeps up in the back of the car. Lucas takes Owen to the canal and confronts him. Owen tells Lucas he won't call the police until after the wedding in order to give him a chance to run. When Lucas starts saying the our father, Owen tells him he'll just go straight to the police. The door of the car is locked and Owen can't get out. Lucas then turns around and strangles Owen with his bow tie. He wraps his body up in a rug before going to the church to marry Denise. After the ceremony, Liz's dog Sugar starts sniffing the boot of the car and bites Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen). The front tyre of Phil's car is later vandalised by loan shark, Issacs (Tony Pritchard). Phil, Ricky and Lucas get him to back off much to Lucas's relief. That night, Lucas and Denise have sex for the first time since they got back together, while Sugar sniffes Trina's tree, where Lucas has Owen buried. The following day Lucas catches a member of the council about dig up Trina's tree but Lucas explains to him why it's there. Him and Denise later go on their honeymoon to the Lake District.

In February 2010, Sugar starts spending more time sniffing Trina's tree. Lucas catches Jordan about to dig it up and has a go at him. Lucas later takes Sugar down to the canal and drowns her. Liz later calls on the doorstep concerned about Owen. On 1 March 2010, Liz and Patrick find out that Owen hasn't used his phone since November. Lucas later tells Liz that Owen doesn't care about anyone but himself. He overhears Liz telling Patrick that Owen has sent her flowers every year on her birthday since he 16. Lucas then sends Liz flowers from Owen. Liz is more concerned about Owen's whereabouts when the flowers are lilys, her least favourite flowers. Patrick and Libby later get CCTV footage of the shop they came from and see Lucas on it. Lucas tells Libby that he bought the flowers because Owen might be drinking and that he won't come back until he's ready and that she'll drive him away if she finds him before his ready to be found.

Lucas destroys the gardens after the council give permission for a fountain.

On 12 May 2010, Lucas catches Jordan and Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones) drinking a bottle of whiskey. A few days later Ben's sister Louise (Brittany Papple) goes missing after she kicks Trina's tree. She returns home after been locked in the summer house all day. After Louise tells Phil that it was Jordan who locked her in there, he confronts Lucas and tells him to tell Jordan that having a tree for his dead mother isn't an excuse for locking Louise in a shed. Lucas doesn't believe what Phil is saying. The following day Lucas confronts Jordan but Jordan denies any wrongdoing. Jordan later tells Phil he thinks it was Ben that locked Louise in the summer house. Phil tries to convince Lucas that Jordan is a liar. Lucas also tells him about the whiskey. Phil refuses to believe that Ben stole the whiskey and tells Lucas that Jordan is a liar, resulting in an explosive row between the pair. A few days later, Phil calls round to the house and tells Lucas that Jordan has been bullying Ben. Denise walks in on a confrontation between the pair and threatens to call the police if they don't keep it civil. They arrange to leave Ben and Jordan to fix a car. When Ben hurts his finger with a spanner, Jordan starts slagging him off. After getting advice from Phil, Ben pushes Jordan to the ground and threatens him with a spanner, telling him he needs slapping down. Lucas worries about Jordan's whereabouts when he doesn't come home. Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi) finds Jordan lying unconscious in the pit in the garage. Jordan is taken to hospital. The following day, Ben sends Lucas a sorry text, though the contact is unknown to Lucas. Lucas then goes crazy and assumes that the Mitchell's had something to do with Jordan's accident. Denise convinces him that when they say sorry, they mean their sorry to hear about Jordan's accident. Lucas later receives a sorry card from Ben. The following day, he confronts him and scares him in the process. Libby later overhears Ben confess to Ian and rushes back to the house to tell Lucas. She later finds him in the Community Centre going crazy and wrecking the place. She soon realises that the door is opened and goes inside only to find him reading the bible. She has a go at him and tells him she thought he was having a breakdown. Lucas later goes to the hospital and finds Jordan's bed empty but later discovers that he was just gone for an operation.

On 4 June 2010, Jordan returns from hospital. Denise throws him a welcome home party, much to Lucas's annoyance. Lucas gets frustrated when Denise's sister Kim (Tameka Empson) gets drunk. Denise breaks down and tells Lucas that she wanted to make everything perfect. Lucas tells Denise that she's his angel before going to a bar where he uses the name Mark. Lucas returns the following day after been out all night and tells Denise that he was at the shelter. Zainab later comes round and tells Lucas that Denise has been discussing their marriage with her. Lucas confronts Zainab and tells her that their marriage isn't her business. The following day, the police call round to check on Jordan. After their visit, Jordan tells Denise he wants to make a statement. When Denise tells Lucas about this he refuses to agree and tells her that their not going to the police before he turns around and stands in front of her in a threatening way. He then leaves and goes back to the bar where he meets a prostitute named Jade (Niamh Webb). He then takes her to a forest where he forces her to pray with him in an attempt to baptise her. Jade runs away from Lucas and he chases her. He pins her against the car door and takes off his tie. He later comes into the pub and kisses Denise. They then go home to have sex but Lucas tells Denise he left something in the car and has to go and get it but instead looks in the mirror at scratches on his neck. The following day, Denise finds condums in Lucas's car. She later confronts him and asks him about the scratches on his neck. Lucas tells Denise he won't be intimidated. Denise asks Lucas what he's done and he tells her he'll show her what he's done. He drives her to Jade's flat, where she is sitting in the bedroom. Jade explains to Denise how Lucas baptised her. Denise struggles to understand it. Lucas is kissed by Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). When Patrick and Liz get close, Lucas confronts him and tells him that there will be no sex before marriage where he's living. On 30 June 2010, Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) kisses Denise in front of Lucas, who throws him out and goes crazy. Lucas then goes for a drive. Fatboy's girlfriend Mercy Olubunmi (Bunmi Mojekwu) witnesses this and pushes Fatboy into Trina's tree. A prostitute named Gemma (Rita Balogun) knocks on Lucas's car window and offers him company. They go to a hotel where Gemma gets undressed. Lucas is speechless when he sees her. Fatboy, Merci and their friends Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny) and Leon Small (Sam Attwater) get another tree from the allotment. Lucas hides behind the car and prays that they don't find Owen's body. They soon realise that something is under there and dig it up. When they realise what it is, they scream and are heard by Peggy, Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber) and Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) while Lucas lies in bed sobbing. The following day, Lucas reveals to Denise that he killed Owen. The police later arrive and tell Lucas and Denise that the body has been identified as Owen's. They also take Denise in for questioning. She is later released without charge. Lucas confesses his involvement in Trina's death to her. He later takes her to the canal, where he forces her to submit to God. When she fails to do so, Lucas strangles her. The following day, he sends Libby and Chelsea a sorry text from her phone. The police later reveal they found a body. Lucas goes and identifies it as Denise. The following day, Lucas reveals all to Zainab and Masood. He later lies to Patrick, telling him, that on their wedding night, Owen was in the house and that Denise pushed him to the ground in self defence when he hit his head. He also tells him that she asked him to help her cover it up and that's how his body ended up in the gardens. Patrick later breaks down in the allotments. Lucas tells him that he'll look after everybody from now on. The following day, Denise's funeral takes place, which is attended by most of the square. Lucas later brings Denise food in a cellar, revealing that she is actually alive. In the cellar, Lucas continues to torment Denise. She tells him that if there is a hell, God will be saving the front place for him. When Lucas struggles to keep his eyes opened during a bible class, he leaves early and goes back to the cellar, where he begs for God's forgiveness and is comforted by Denise. The following day, Denise realises it is Libby's birthday. Lucas reveals to her that everyone thinks she killed Owen. Denise is upset over this and is adamant that she is going to get out. After a violent struggle, Lucas gives up and tells Denise that the keys are in the door. She escapes only to realise that the cellar is next door to the house. She walks in on Patrick and Chelsea singing happy birthday to Libby. They are speechless to see Denise. She tells them that it was really Lucas who killed Trina and Owen. Libby and Patrick believe her, but Chelsea refuses to until Lucas walks in and confesses. He tries to explain everything to them but Patrick and Denise try and convince him that he's insane. When Heather Trott (Cheryl Ferguson) calls at the door, Lucas gets Patrick to answer it while he is strangling Libby. Patrick sees a notebook in Heather's son George's bogey and asks to put a code in it but really puts in it "call police". Lucas then lets Libby go. Lucas later throws a television through the window and almost hits Abi. Jordan sees this and runs inside to see what's going on. Everybody protects him from Lucas and tell him what he done. They manage to get out of the house but Jordan goes back inside and locks the door. Lucas tells Jordan that he can't be a father to him anymore and that to much has happened. The police soon arrive and Jordan runs outside and cries in Denise's arms, while Lucas, realising that he can no longer hide away from what his done, and has to face up to his crimes, gives himself up and is arrested. He writes religious messages on his prison cell wall, cutting his finger nails in the process. Lucas writes "sorry" in his blood and hands his bible over the prison warden, saying he won't need it where his going, before saying a final "amen".

In February 2011, Lucas is sentenced (off-screen) to life imprisonment.

In January 2013, Denise considers visiting Lucas when he sends her a visiting order.

In November 2015, Denise receives a visit from the police to say that someone who has been taken into custody has given them her address. They later tell her that the person keeps going on about his father been in prison and Denise realises that it's Jordan. Denise later tells Libby that she has decided to go and visit Lucas in prison. On 1 January 2016, Denise receives a visiting order from Lucas. She decides to go and visit him but changes her mind. Lucas later calls her from a mobile phone in prison. Denise warns him not to call her again. In February 2016, she visits him. Lucas tells Denise that he accepts responsibility for his crimes. Denise tells Lucas about Jordan and he asks her to help him. On Valentines Day, Lucas sends Denise some flowers. She goes to the prison, where she tells him that she will stop visiting him. She tells him that Jordan is back and that he has been on drugs. She also tells him that he has a son JJ and that she will ask Jordan to come and see him. A few weeks later, Denise and Jordan visit Lucas. Lucas tells Jordan that the prison have a scheme where you can get a job but that Denise will need to give the governor a statement. Denise reluctantly agrees. Lucas later calls Jordan and asks him if the escape their planning is still in place. He also promises that Denise isn't going to get caught up in any of it. Lucas later gets a job in the kitchen and tells Jordan that he is planning to take Denise with them. Lucas later tells Jordan that the escape has to happen earlier than they planned. As a result, Jordan steels Paul Coker (Jonny Labey)'s car. When Denise finds out about this, she leaves a note on Libby's handbag and locks JJ in the living room in an attempt to stop Jordan from taking him. When Libby sees the note, she calls the police and Jordan is arrested. Denise and Patrick visit Lucas in the prison where he tells her that he forgives her. Denise tells Lucas he has no right to forgive her and gives him some painful home truths before leaving.

Creation and development

Gilet's casting in the show was announced in January 2008, when the character was described as "attractive, charismatic, strong and forthright" and "just a dodgy geezer with a murky past."^[2] His profile on the official EastEnders website describes him as "an upstanding member of the community, a far cry from the youth he once was."^[5] Through the show's narrative, it is revealed that Lucas is a former drug addict and has gone on to become a preacher in a Christian church.

In February 2009, it was announced that Sharon Duncan Brewster had been cast as Lucas's estranged wife Trina. Entertainment website Digital Spy reported: "Trina arrives and surprises Lucas and she makes it very clear she wants to give things another go. Lucas tries to get rid of her but his secret is out when Patrick (Rudolph Walker) sees what's going on. Just how willing will Trina be to let her husband walk into the arms of another woman? And more importantly, will she divorce him to enable him to marry again?"^[6] Despite his connection with the church, in September 2009 Lucas attempts to cover up his involvement in Trina's death. Gilet told Soaplife magazine, "When he first appeared someone wrote in saying he was a good character, but somewhere down the line something was going to come unstuck. We've always known there was more to this do-gooder than meets the eye. Things are going to get a lot darker in the build-up to Christmas. [...] It's going to get very dark and I hope I can pull it off."^[7] Lucas went on to kill Denise's ex-husband Owen Turner (Lee Ross) when he came close to discovering how Lucas was involved in Trina's death. Gilet explained that although Lucas does not want people dead and has no malice in his heart, he sees killing as a way to stop things from happening.^[8] When the show's executive producer Diederick Santer was asked by Digital Spy what was lined up for Lucas in 2010, he said "He's got right on his side, hasn't he? Is the world a better place without Trina? Probably, yes. Is the world a better place without Owen? Well, I don't know about that, but he's not a particularly nice person... Lucas is doing the Lord's work and who knows what that's doing to his head maybe he'll kill again. Lucas's story is 'poised' and we're just trying to work out the exact timing of the long-term story. There's brilliant stuff in the pipeline — it's one for a slow burn really. We have Lucas who's a murderer. Will he murder again? Who's the next person to cross him? He's one dangerous man."^[9]

Gilet described Lucas as having "Jekyll and Hyde" aspects to his character, and tries to hide the darker side of his personality from Denise. Gilet commented: "Every actor enjoys playing a character who's flawed – but how long can Lucas continue to hide the dark side of himself before the cracks start to show? I think a lot of people reckon the clock might be ticking. This story has shocked some people! I was getting fan mail where people were saying what a nice guy he was – and, of course, now they know he's not."^[10] Gilet has called Lucas "a very good character to play because of his complexity", explaining: "I think that's partly because he's a guy who always strives to do the right thing but his path for doing that gets warped as time goes on. I think his heart started off in the right place but - partly because of his drug-addled years - he has a slightly warped outlook on life."^[11] Asked whether he felt Lucas was truly bad, Gilet replied:

Gilet has characterised Lucas as having a "carnal side" with which he is "constantly at odds", explaining: "There are times when that human and carnal side to him, the side that gives in to temptation, is going to come through. As time goes on, that strong moral side to him starts to chip away and this chink of darkness starts to show and unravel. It's a Pandora's box, in a way."^[11] Discussing Lucas's relationship with Denise, Gilet refuted the suggestion that Denise was a "token wife" deeming her more reliable than Trina and expanding: "He's found a woman who's strong-willed, strong-minded, a good mother to their shared child and to Libby (Belinda Owusu) and Jordan. It's kind of ideal and he's worked so hard for it. Nothing, but nothing, should stop that - he deserves to have this. It's one of these situations where he likes the idea that he's earned this relationship. That seems to be more of a priority than the pure love he has for her. He loves what he's earned and he's now this respectable person who wants to hold on to what he has by any means necessary."^[11] After Owen's body is discovered, Lucas confesses to Denise, and goes on to strangle her while quoting a line from the Bible. Complaints were received from viewers that Lucas's storyline was offensive to Christians. The BBC responded with a statement saying: "Lucas is certainly not intended to be representative of Christians. He is a very damaged and dangerous individual who has created a twisted version of the Christian 'faith' in his mind to hide behind and to convince himself that his actions are acceptable. As the story unfolds, we will see other characters questioning Lucas's claim to be a Christian. As Lucas has become increasingly unhinged, his obsession and reliance on the Bible and the scriptures has become increasingly frantic and desperate. This represents this character's emotional breakdown, and it is very clear that this is absolutely not normal behaviour. In episodes yet to broadcast, we will see the characters Grace [Olubunmi], Mercy [Olubunmi] and Dot [Branning] – all three of whom are Christians – question and discuss Lucas's frame of mind."^[12] It was confirmed that Gilet would depart from the show at the end of the storyline.^[13]

In June 2010, a decision was made to reshoot scenes planned months in advance involving Lucas picking up a prostitute named Jade (Niamh Webb) who he seemingly strangles after forcing her to pray for God's forgiveness. The decision to drop the prostitute link was made following the charging of Stephen Griffiths with the murder of three prostitutes in Bradford.^[14]

Reception

The BBC received 103 complaints from viewers after it was hinted that Lucas had killed Sugar the dog, compared to "a handful" following his murders of Trina and Owen.^[15] The BBC responded saying they do not condone the killing of dogs or people, but iterated that the behaviour was in keeping with the character, adding that "no animals were harmed in the making of this story."^[16]

The character was nominated in the "Smooth Criminal" and "Killer Secret" categories at the 2010 All About Soap Bubble Awards.^[17] In January 2011, Gilet was nominated for Serial Drama Performance at the 2011 National Television Awards for his portrayal of Lucas but did not make it through to the shortlist.^[18] He was also nominated at the British Soap Awards 2010 and 2011 for 'Villain of the Year'.^[19][20]

See also

• List of EastEnders characters (2008)
• List of EastEnders: E20 characters
• List of soap opera villains

References

External links

• Lucas Johnson at BBC Online