Lucas JohnsonEpisode 3900 (broadcast on 26 November 2009) 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. Lucas is introduced as a reformed drug addict and criminal-turned-preacher who appears as the estranged father of established character Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin/Zaraah Abrahams). He also has a young son, Jordan Johnson (Michael-Joel Stuart), and later goes on to marry Chelsea's mother, established character Denise Fox (Diane Parish) - whom he had previously been in a relationship with prior to their reunion.
While the character originally appeared to be respectfully dedicated to his own religious convictions, Lucas slowly became the show's secondary antagonist when he causes the death of his former wife Trina (Sharon Duncan Brewster) by leaving her to die in a raking accident; murders Denise's ex-husband Owen Turner (Lee Ross) on their wedding day; drowning his son's dog Sugar after the latter risks unearthing Owen's corpse; and strangling Denise before locking her up in a basement while allowing her family to believe that she is responsible for the murders - with Lucas killing another woman to use as Denise's supposed body so that her family could believe that she committed suicide. The character soon departed on 30 July 2010 when Lucas gets arrested for the murders of Trina and Owen, both of which were publicly exposed after he allowed Denise to escape and she subsequently exposed his homicidal crimes to her family - which resulted in Lucas briefly holding Denise and her family hostage until he eventually turned himself in. Lucas made a previously unannounced reappearance on 1 January 2016 before returning for a short stint in the year, in which he escaped prison until he was rearrested and left the programme again on 10 March 2016. On 1 October 2020, it was announced that Gilet was set to reprise his role, and he returned on 25 December 2020 and departed on 18 March 2021. He made an unannounced return on 31 January 2024.
During his time working on the show, Gilet has described Lucas as having "Jekyll and Hyde" aspects to his character. This multi-faceted personality was further explored in the BBC Three special EastEnders: The Two Faces of Lucas. The character also appeared in the spin-off series EastEnders: E20.
Creation and development Introduction (2008) 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." 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." 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?" 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." 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. 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."
Characterisation 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." 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." 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." 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." 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." It was confirmed that Gilet would depart from the show at the end of the storyline.
In June 2010, a decision was made to reshoot scenes planned months in advance involving Lucas picking up a sex worker 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 sex workers in Bradford.
Return stint (2020–2021) In October 2020, it was confirmed Gilet would reprise the role of Lucas, whose return would "cause shockwaves amongst the residents". Speaking of his return to the serial, Gilet stated: "I'm thrilled and honoured to be asked to breathe life once again into such a complex, controversial and diverse character but, most importantly to have another opportunity to work alongside one of UK's finest actors, Diane Parish. I feel blessed." On 18 March 2021, it was confirmed that Lucas' "short stint" had come to an end in the episode transmitted that day. With Lucas returning to prison, Gilet opined that he would "persevere" and use his time in prison to "repent and hopefully will use the time to better himself further because it was his choice". Gilet found the storyline "interesting" to be part of, due to the change in residents' reaction to him. He explained: "Lucas was so calculating and devious in how well he was able to hide the truth from everyone around him – this time round there's been no hiding for Lucas so even when he tried to lie, he was always caught out. So that aspect of his character has been stripped away." Gilet added that he would "never say never" to a potential return in the future.
Storylines 2008–2010 Lucas Johnson first appears on Albert Square when his estranged daughter, Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin), tracks him down to a community service - whereupon she discovers that he is a preacher. Lucas, confronted by Chelsea, explains that he was seventeen when Chelsea was born and abandoned her along with her mother Denise (Diane Parish) - as he could not cope with fatherhood. He became a drug addict but overcame his addiction and joined the church. Chelsea reluctantly agrees to give Lucas a chance, but is unhappy to learn he has a son, Jordan (Michael-Joel David Stuart). Lucas comes to Chelsea's aid when she develops a drug habit but Denise is furious to see him and tells him to stay away. Denise eventually forgives Lucas and they rekindle their relationship, becoming engaged.
Jordan reveals that Lucas is still married to his mother, Trina (Sharon Duncan-Brewster), though Lucas explains they are separated as she abandoned Jordan after he was born prematurely and addicted to heroin. Trina repeatedly tries to come between Lucas and Denise. She eventually agrees to a divorce, planning to move to Walford to be with Jordan. Lucas and Trina have sex, and during an argument, Lucas pushes her away and unintentionally causes her throat to be impaled on a rake. He leaves her to die, making it appear that she died in an accident while taking drugs. The coroner subsequently gives a verdict of accidental death.