It’s been brewing for quite some time as viewers to RTÉ One’s Fair City will have seen Will Casey struggle with ex-wife Mairead moving on with new partner Damien while his partner Christiano San Martin spent some time abroad with his brother Jake.

In last night’s episode featuring just the two of them, with the exception of therapist (Maddie), Fair City fans saw Christiano and Will attend a couples therapy session. Will anxious not to go, he coaches Christiano on what he is going to say when asked why they are there. Nervous, Christiano struggles to get the lie out when he attends the session on his own. But Will arrives and takes control of the situation, undermining the therapist’s position.

Brilliant performances by John Cronin as Will and ⁦@RodrigoTernevoy⁩ as Christiano in #FairCity on ⁦@RTEOne⁩. All I can say is WOW! pic.twitter.com/7tVWoP57Re

— Rory Cowan (@1rorycowan) October 16, 2019

https://twitter.com/FPLChloeSheary/status/1184552153475682306?s=20

John Cronin, who plays Will, has said of his character and what has led him to this point, “Will growing up in the 80s in Dublin internalised a lot of homophobia that he had been hearing and had suppressed the side of himself that was attracted to men, and now it has ended up coming out later in life in a destructive way… what had started as a double life with issues of control, he now blames Christiano for the loss of his family, and that’s what we see really coming out in tonight’s episode”.

The reactions to tonight’s episode of #FairCity proves how important the show is. It’s our national narrative and it’s hugely successful in portraying REAL stories. With new dramas such as #DublinMurders and #Darklands, Fair City reminds us that it’s a worthy contender!

— Nadine Flynn (@popplewell_) October 16, 2019

With an awful sense of foreboding throughout, it’s not until the couple get home later that day that the extent of Will’s abuse comes to a head. With the discovery of Maddie’s out of hours card, Will loses control. When Will intimidates Christiano he makes a run for it only to be caught, pulled and dragged across the apartment, “You’re a self-absorbed little queen”, Will says to him.

Tonights episode of #FairCity blew me away. What an important story to tell! The performances from @RodrigoTernevoy & John Cronin were so heartfelt and honest. @NessaMatthews as stellar support. Well done to all involved! Can't wait to be back at the end of the month.

— Janna Kemperman (@JannaKemperman) October 16, 2019

Of the emotional scenes which aired last night, Rodrigo Ternevoy has said of their storyline, “It’s a very strong yet dark storyline and I really hope it will bring light to the issue of domestic abuse so that people going through similar can reach out for help. Tackling domestic abuse with same-sex partners will hopefully open up the topic for discussion”.