Corrie producer Stuart Blackburn today confirmed that actor Liam Bairstow was cast from a recent workshop they held for actors with disabilities, and he has already started filming.
Stuart Blackburn said: "We ran a workshop called Breaking Through a while ago, which was for actors with disabilities. It was recognising that they get so few auditions, and actually we found a young guy there called Liam Bairstow, an actor with Down's syndrome.
"He's going to be coming in as Cathy's nephew. It's not some politically correct thing. We actually found there a really great actor with a wonderful sense of timing. The cast have been really enjoying working with him."
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Could be interesting. I wonder how old he is? Maybe a mate for Faye and Craig? I only speculate because he's got a backpack and that makes him look a bit younger, teenage maybe.
ReplyDeleteThis must be the disabled character that was originally going to be Tim's cousin, Howie. I suppose they dropped the idea once they discovered Kevin and Tim could be best pals. One thing that I'm not happy about is why he's Cathy's nephew. Sounds like they're boxing up all the unconventional characters ie. Roy, Cathy and Cathy's nephew. Why couldn't the character be one of the new Connors?
ReplyDeleteI think he resembles Cathy! Good on ya' mate! Hope he enjoys his time on Corrie.
ReplyDeleteI love this! The only thing I can think of that would be better would be if one of the long term characters had a child born with a developmental disability (Ty & Fiz maybe) and they could show how all the ups and downs a normal family goes through throughout the child's life. This is a step in the right direction though.
ReplyDeleteThey don't show us the challenges long established Izzy must face daily, especially raising a healthy and, surely by now, walking toddler, virtually on her own. Or dwell on the once vibrant Sinead and her new life on crutches. No offense to this young man, but the cast is already overflowing and underused, so I'm not sure why we need to expand on newbie (i.e., we're not invested, who cares) Cathy's life right now or add an even newer face with one glaring issue.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I wish the young man the very best in his career do we need more new cast members? There are many current cast members who are woefully underused. Where on earth is Andy? No explanation as to his whereabouts at all! I've not warmed up to Cathy and now we are getting members of her family.
ReplyDelete