Reprinted with permission from the fab TV blog PauseLiveActionHow excited was I, watching Coronation Street the other night, to discover that Ken Barlow’s latest long-lost son is being played by his actual son, the very adorable Linus Roache.
Deirdre spotted the likeness immediately. “Even your mannerisms are the same,” she told her fecund husband. And they are! “Lawrence” is like a mini-me of Ken – handsome, with a lovely head of hair, and just a tiny bit tedious. Ok, very tedious. Lawrence is supposed to be an English Literature lecturer, and Ken is of course cock-a-hoop about this. They have long, dull conversations in iambic pentameter, and Ken is in his element and couldn’t be more proud. It almost makes up for the other sons (Peter the alcoholic and the hairdresser’s kid Ken hardly ever sees).
Even better, Lawrence has a son, James, who is supposed to be the spitting image of Ken’s former girlfriend Susan (i.e. his gran), from which we can conclude that Susan looked like Charlie from Busted. And James is gay! What deep joy for Ken, who is very gay-friendly and has had a bit of a musical theatre void in his life since Gail’s gay dad went south. Not that Ken would stereotype, of course.
Probably going to get shot down in flames for this, but I dont particularly like the story with Ken and his new son/grandson and they both seem a bit wooden.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the honourable gentleman! It is all very contrived. If they could have brought Susan back it may have made it a bit more interesting.
ReplyDeleteBTW Remind me what did happen to Gail's Dad ?
I think that's the whole point. Ken Barlow *is* rather wooden and stiff (i.e.poker up the backside) and they want to play up the similarities between the father and son. The grandson has only been in it 5 minutes and the situation was stiff and awkward. Naturally it's going to seem wooden as well. I think it's excellent casting and so far, i'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteMartin, The actor that plays Ted has been doing stage work so wasn't available.
Linus is a terrific actor. Here in Canada we see him in Law and Order as a DA. His American accent is perfect, just like the great Hugh Lawrie in House.
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