Coronation Street Blog: Samia Longchambon interview: Maria goes mad with a crowbar

We’ve seen the car parking situation on the street getting worse recently, how interested is Maria in Sally’s crusade about the issue?

Maria’s not really interested, in fact she’s almost opposed to it as she thinks it will put customers off parking to come and use the salon and the barbers. It’s not until the problem directly impacts on her and Liam’s health that she takes up the mantle.

What happens with Liam?

He’s had a bit of a chesty cough, he’s playing football on the street then suddenly he collapses struggling to breath. He’s taken to hospital and it turns out he’s had an asthma attack. The ambulance can’t get down the street because of all the cars parked there which makes it even scarier. At the hospital the doctor says his asthma could have been caused by pollution and because there’s been an increase in traffic and pollution on the street Maria just sees red. She’s fuming and it becomes her mission to get rid of all the vehicles causing the heavy pollution on the street.

What happens with the Underworld van?

Maria decides it’s a pollutant and needs to be off the street, she just loses it and smashes up the van with a crowbar. It was great fun to film, what other jobs are there where you get to let rip with a crowbar! She certainly doesn’t do things by halves.

What goes through her head when she sees Liam struggling to breathe?

She doesn’t know what’s going on, she just sees him gasping for air, struggling to breath and it’s terrifying. She knows he’s been a bit unwell but she just thought it was a chest infection so this really panics her.

Do you enjoy playing this feistier side of Maria?

Yes it’s great to see feisty Maria back, we haven’t seen her for a while. It’s really fun and it’s a different side to her that we haven’t seen before, she’s usually fighting over a man but this time she’s fighting for her son and she’s definitely prepared to play the over protective parent.

And is it nice to work with Tina again? Do you think there’s still unfinished business with the pair over Gary?

It’s lovely to work with Tina again as we haven’t done much together for a while. I think Maria will always have half an eye on Sarah but they’re also sort of like family with Maria having worked with Audrey and David for so long. It’s a complex relationship.

Talking of complex relationships, how are Maria and Gary getting on?

I do think they really love each other but it’s definitely a flawed relationship. They’ve got this history together now though where Maria knows some of his darkest secrets so they’re kind of in it together like Bonnie and Clyde. She does love him but it’s definitely complicated.

Going forward, how will Maria cope with Liam’s condition?

She has to learn all about managing his condition, he needs inhalers, the prospect of another asthma attack is scary and Maria’s taking it really seriously. Our research team have worked alongside Asthma UK so we’ve had loats of advice on what Maria would need to do to support Liam.

Glenda Young

Novelist published by Headline