Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street has announced plans to break from its usual format this winter as Theo Silverton continues to abuse his boyfriend Todd Grimshaw. The ITV soap has been exploring domestic abuse in a same-sex partnership with the characters of Theo and Todd – and the troubling situation will sadly get worse in the coming weeks.
As part of the ongoing plot, fans can expect a special episode in the run-up to Christmas which mainly focuses on Theo and Todd’s relationship. Continuing in the recent tradition of soaps experimenting with their style, Corrie bosses have promised that this will include format-breaking elements which haven’t been used in the genre before.
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Speaking to us at a recent Corrie press event on the show’s set, producer Kate Brooks commented: “It’s a really important story. We’ve deliberately played a bit of a slow burn with it. We’ve seen Todd falling for this guy who is complex and has got issues. Theo has given up everything for Todd – he’s given up his family and has come to terms with his sexuality.
“By the time the story really gets going, Todd’s in a place where he really feels indebted to Theo. At this point, Theo’s true colours really are revealed. He’s a dark character and he’s really going to manipulate Todd. He’s really good at gaslighting Todd.
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“Fundamentally it’s a story about domestic abuse in a same-sex relationship. It’s important to shine a light on that, given that it’s quite prominent in same-sex relationships. We’ve been working very closely with a charity called Galop and some of the statistics are really quite shocking.”
Brooks continued: “There are some quite dark episodes, but very important, raw and authentic episodes. We have played about with the format a little bit to tell these stories.
“I’ve just been in a viewing this morning for a really brilliant and powerful episode, focused primarily on their relationship. It hasn’t been done before – I don’t think anyone’s ever told a story in this format in this way.
“I’ve just watched it and have been quite stunned by it. I’ve got to go back and re-watch it again, just to digest what I’ve just watched on screen, because it really is powerful. It’s really emotive.”
ITV
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Brooks warned that Todd and Theo’s story still has a while left to run, with the Street’s residents initially unaware of what’s happening behind closed doors.
However, she also named Todd’s friend Sarah Barlow and work boss George Shuttleworth as characters who’ll always have his best interests at heart…
Brooks said: “There are red flags and even now, people online say: ‘Todd, run. Theo’s clearly a wrong’un’. But obviously, as is the nature of these relationships, it’s a lot easier said than done.
“Todd loves this man and feels like he can change him. He feels like everything that’s happened to Theo in the past has made him this person who is quite horrific – make no bones about it. He does some really, really vile things to Todd, but Todd’s seeing the goodness in him as well. So it was important to show the building blocks of why people find themselves in these situations.
ITV
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“It’s a hard watch. We’re not rooting for Todd and Theo in any way, shape or form. This story will naturally progress. Hopefully Todd will realise what is going on and that this is not acceptable.
“We’re not rooting for this couple – we’re rooting for Todd. We’re rooting for Todd to see the light. As we take in George and Christina and Sarah – all these people who care about and love Todd – they are absolutely oblivious to what’s going on between the two behind closed doors.
“And it’s going to be really interesting to watch what happens when people do get a peek inside at what happens behind closed doors…”
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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