Actor Rachael Gill-Davis discusses the plot with us as Emmerdale’s Gail is ready to give her biological son Oscar a bone marrow transplant that could save his life.
The news that Gail Loman (Rachael Gill-Davis) and Ryan Stocks (James Moore) had a child together in the past that they gave up for adoption when they were in their late teens has recently shocked viewers.
When Gail got a call from Sophie (Martha Cope), the adoptive mother, she was taken aback. Sophie had found Gail on social media and wanted to help her 13-year-old son, Oscar (Harley Hamilton).
Oscar needs a bone marrow transplant after being diagnosed with a rare form of aplastic anaemia. Sophie was devastated to learn that she wasn’t a match and hoped that Ryan or Gail would agree to get tested.
Gail had initially concealed the information from Ryan and Sophie about her continued communication with him, but she ultimately told her shocked boyfriend the truth.
Ryan found the news difficult to deal with, and though Gail agreed to meet with Oscar, Ryan wasn’t ready. He later admitted that with his own disability, he was worried about what Oscar would think of him, and whether it would cause him further disappointment in his biological father.
Both Gail and Ryan agreed to get tested, and next week Ryan is devastated to learn that he isn’t a match. He confides his disappointment in Marlon (Mark Charnock), but is relieved when Gail rushes in to say that, against all the odds, she and Oscar are compatible.
Gail and Ryan go to see Oscar at the hospital the next day, Ryan still anxious about meeting his son for the first time. Gail and Oscar hit it off again, but Ryan holds back, feeling like he’s the odd one out.
The ice is broken however when the conversation turns to music, and Ryan is relieved that he’s found some common ground as a way in. Sophie however isn’t as thrilled as she watches the bond building betweeen Oscar and his biological parents…
Back at The Woolpack, Marlon points out to Gail that she may need to tread carefully around Sophie in what could turn out to be a very tense situation.
The next day, Ryan supports Gail as she’s wheeled into surgery, both hopeful for success and that they can be a part of Oscar’s life going forward.
How does Gail feel about Oscar coming back into her life?
I feel like Gail is absolutely made up, but then there are those moments where she does recoil back. In one of the recent episodes, she says that she was a clueless, potless space cadet with a toxic mother forever on her case. So I don’t believe that she felt supported at the time. However I do feel that is always her motivation going forward. She wants that family that she hasn’t had. So I think she’s absolutely made up. But there is that complex nature of giving him up as well, and probably a bit of guilt in there.
How is her relationship with Ryan at this moment in time?
I can’t imagine that they argue very often. Obviously, they did have that four year hiatus where they didn’t speak and she went off with a guy called Spud. But I think that she’s constantly motivated to have that family, as I said before, and she’ll do anything to make sure that they’re both back on track. I know a lot of people didn’t trust her initially, but I believe that she’s got a good heart. And that’s why it didn’t take long for her to open up to Marlon. So I know her heart’s in the right place, she loves Ryan. I’ve watched Emmerdale as well for like, 20 years, and I think Ryan’s character as a whole is quite strong. He’s very strong willed and a support for Gail, who is probably more on the ditzy side, and wears her heart on her sleeve.
What did you think about all the speculation and fan theories when Gail first returned?
As Rachael, I quite enjoyed it! Because I knew something that they didn’t, in a way. It’s always good watching it and wondering ‘What gave them that idea in the script?’ or ‘What choice did I make at that point to make it look like it might be going in a different way?’. I found it really interesting to see the different perspectives, because she went off the radar for four years. No-one trusts a character initially do they, definitely not in a soap. When Marlon was trying to get rid of her, everyone was going ‘Sack her’ and ‘Get the pitchforks out’ and I was going ‘Oh no! She’s lovely!’
How does Ryan feel when he learns he’s not a match, and is it an easy decision for Gail to make to agree to the surgery?
I think he’s obviously gutted that he’s not a match because it’s something else that he feels like he’s let Oscar down with. For Gail, it’s the first time that she’s been able to do something for her son. You know, it’s been 13 years, she’s not done anything, so there’s an immense amount of guilt. This is the first time where she can actually do something, so I don’t think she thinks twice. And she’s obviously elated that she’s a match because it’s really rare. It’s against all odds, really!
Whilst she’s happy that she can help Oscar, she must be scared for him too?
Yeah, definitely. I can’t even imagine the shock that you would have if a child came into your life, who you’d hoped was happy throughout those 13 years, and then to find out that he’s ill. You just hope it’s going to work. She’s petrified at the aspect she could lose him all over again.
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