Run Away star defends why character sometimes seen without wheelchair as viewers ‘confused’ over detail
Run Away star Ellie Henry has addressed the confusion surrounding her character's sporadic use of a wheelchair in the hit series.
Fans have been feverishly discussing the hidden details and plot holes in the thrilling eight-part Netflix show - and some thought there was a major continuity error in certain scenes involving the actress.
Henry, who portrays schoolgirl Anya Greene, is introduced to viewers as a wheelchair user at the start of the series, although the reason for her needing this aid is not addressed in Run Away.
So, a lot of people who have tuned into the Netflix adaptation of Harlan Coben's book of the same name were left quite shocked when the 24-year-old stood up and walked around in later scenes.
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Social media users have been discussing this supposed inconsistency in depth over the last few days, but Henry herself has now revealed that she was 'surprised' that people thought it was some kind of production error.
Still, the former Hollyoaks actress explained that she 'expected all of those comments' about her varying reliance on a wheelchair in wake of Run Away's release, as it is something she has dealt with in real life too.
Henry was diagnosed with Ehlers‑Danlos Syndrome (EDS) - which is a condition which affects the connective tissue in our bodies - when she was 15-years-old and has been an ambulatory wheelchair user ever since.
This term describes a person who perhaps suffers from a disability or chronic illness who is able to stand and walk for short periods, but also needs a wheelchair to get around.
A quick look at Henry's Instagram will give you a good idea of how this looks for her in everyday life, as she often uploads two snaps which document her day - one showing her without a wheelchair, and one with.
She has now explained that she made the conscious decision not to incorporate the fact she has EDS into her character in Run Away, as in her eyes, it 'wasn't going to add anything' to the storyline.
"I really didn’t want it included in this series," Henry told the Radio Times. "I think there’s a time and a place and I think when disabled stories are told, that’s great.
"If you’re making a series about someone with a disability, tell the story. If you’re telling the story of someone getting injured or finding out a diagnosis then great, have that conversation then.
"Have it when it adds to the moment and the story. There was so much going on, we didn’t need a conversation about it. I stand by the way we did it and I’m really pleased.
"We knew these conversations would have to happen afterwards and getting my lived experience is much better than getting a throwaway line on screen that you’re probably going to miss in all of the twists and turns anyway."
She explained that she had told Run Away producer Will McDonagh that viewers were not 'going to understand' her characters ambulatory wheelchair use in their very first meeting.
"And that’s what I’m used to in my life - people having questions and not understanding," Henry continued. "That’s through no fault of their own, this hasn’t been shown on screen. So I don’t expect people to know.
"But I’m glad we stuck strong in our decision not to mention it in the series because it’s this family's normal. In my everyday life, we’re not talking about disability all of the time, it doesn’t come up. We just live our day to day.
"Like I say, I expected the questions. I’m just really glad that now I am able to answer it with my honest and lived experience, and hopefully make ambulatory wheelchair use a little bit more understood."
She pointed out that there are 'so many different reasons' why a person might intermittently rely on a wheelchair and hopes that her portrayal of Anya will help normalise people using them on a part-time basis.
"I think it’d be lovely for people not to be so surprised when people do stand up out of their wheelchair," Henry said.
"The world isn’t as accessible as we need it to be so we have to use our wheelchair. It means that we can sit down when we need, we can conserve our energy and still do things in everyday life."
Although Harlan Coben didn't create the character of Anya as a wheelchair user, Henry said the casting team behind Run Away 'saw past' her need for one as she could 'deliver the character'.
"So whether or not she’s in a wheelchair or stood up, it shouldn’t really matter," she added. "And I’m glad they looked at it that way."
Henry said that she hopes that her role in Run Away and continuing to create conversation around ambulatory wheelchair use online will raise awareness and 'help other people feel less alone'.
Topics: Netflix, TV and Film, Entertainment, Health, Celebrity, UK News
Olivia Burke