Emmerdale bosses have defended Meena Jutla’s storyline after receiving backlash for her “ridiculous” scene.
The serial killer has left viewers divided ever since she stepped onto the scene last July.
It’s safe to say Meena will do anything to get her own way including murdering her own father, she also killed villagers, attempted further murders, kidnapped residents and held some at gun point.
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However her reign of terror came to a dramatic conclusion on Thursday night, as Meena was found guilty of the murders of Andrea Tate, Leanna Cavanagh and Ben Tucker.
In true Meena style it didn't go as smoothly as planned with the killer getting into an incident with Nadine's sister Carol which led to Meena taking the court hostage before trying to flee.
But her plan quickly took a left turn as prison officer Ian betrayed her. After putting up a fight she was later dragged away by armed police, while she has yet to be sentenced on the ITV soap.
Many viewers have hit out at Meena’s storyline claiming her plot has run on for far too long however remembering it is a soap some have enjoyed everything Meena had to offer.
Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks has since defended the storyline following the continuing backlash.
Speaking to The Mirror she admitted they wanted to offer some "escapism" to viewers during tough times, and wanted to have a character like no other they've had before.
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Kate revealed: "We’re always looking for that next big, massive story and we’ve not had a serial killer for a while, probably since Lachlan.
"So we were chatting about what was next and it just felt really right to bring a female serial killer into the mix, and one that didn't feel like one we've seen before on screen.
"Usually there are two types of serial killer on soaps, one that rumbles all the way through killings and we see a conscience or a regret, or we see the kind who do it as a necessity.
"With Meena we wanted a character who would act out and kill for sheer enjoyment, for the pursuit of glory and we wanted to showcase a female character that just lacked empathy, and lacked a conscience and just enjoyed the drama and the theatrics of being a killer."
On why they did the plot, Kate went on: "Given the fact the world was going through a really tough time with Covid and everything, we also wanted to give viewers a bit of escapism.
"This is a very heightened storyline and has been since day dot, so we wanted people to sit down on the sofa, watching TV and just be catapulted into Meena’s crazy world which is exactly what we've done."
Kate went on to reveal they knew now was the right time to let Meena go as they couldn't justify keeping her, following her long list of crimes and her court appearance.
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