Coronation Street Blog: Paddy Bever interview: Max lies over Amy's spiked drink

What are Max’s feelings towards Daniel since the fall/push, Daniel got away with that one really didn’t he?

He absolutely did! I think Max’s main feeling towards Daniel right now is anger. Max is incredibly protective of David, he’s been the only real constant in his life, he got moved around a lot in his childhood and never felt secure and safe until he was with David and for Daniel to threaten that relationship makes Max so angry. He was already incredibly upset about the way Daniel forced David to reveal the information of his rape so for Daniel to then push Max down the stairs, lie and get away with it is just like kicking him when he’s down. Max sees it as a huge injustice and he can’t let Daniel get away with it.

He decides to spike Daniel, a teacher, which is a pretty big step. Does he think it through or do you think this is more a case of him showing his age, acting in the spur of the moment and not realising the severity of what he’s about to do?

I absolutely think it’s to do with Max’s youth that he makes this decision. When David was spiked he was spiked with GHB and that’s what gives Max the idea, he’s seen how triggered and upset David has been by this resurfacing and he wants Daniel to feel how David feels right now. He’ll go to any lengths to protect David but he is just 15 and he doesn’t think it through.

We’ve seen the more troubled side of Max recently but on the flip side he’s also very loyal and protective of his family, he’s not just a bad kid is he?

Absolutely, Max is all about loyalty, I think he’s a really protective person, we saw that with Summer and now we’re seeing it with David. When someone comes into Max’s life his instinct is to protect them at all costs because he knows how easy it is to lose someone from your life. To be able to protect people is so incredibly important to him.

As you say he is loyal to his friends, so how does he feel when it ends up being Amy that drinks the spiked drink he intended for Daniel?

Amy has been tough on Max at times but at the end of the day he thinks she’s a decent person and he’s absolutely devastated when he realises what he’s done to Amy because she’s never done anything bad towards him. It’s an overwhelming feeling of guilt and that’s how we know Max isn’t just some evil person. At first when he hears Amy was spiked he really hopes his drink wasn’t the one, but then when he watches over the footage it’s that awful realisation of I’ve nearly killed someone who is my friend.

As well as the guilt, how scared is Max of people finding out the truth?

He’s terrified, as his anger towards Daniel starts to fade away and he starts to accept what he’s done, he realises how other people are going to see this. Not even David is going to see this from his perspective. We often as humans judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions and I think that’s what Max does. But now he’s looking past his intentions and he fears people are going to see what he’s done and he knows it will be unforgivable for so many people, it’s pure panic. He almost goes into survival mode where he turns into a little child again and this bravado and cockiness just completely leaves him because he’s in such a state of fear.

Will we see him go to a lot of lengths to keep this hidden?

Absolutely yes, he’s desperate for people not to find out the truth.

Will this make him start to realise his vendetta against Daniel has gone too far or do think it’s going to run and run?

I think Daniel will always represent a very negative time for Max but this has gone too far now, even for Max. His vendetta against Daniel has taken him to lengths that I don’t think he saw himself going to and I don’t think he likes the person that has done this. He doesn’t like the version of himself that has hurt someone so badly. I think it will make Max more self aware, he’ll continue to do what Max does which is cause trouble but whether that will be aimed towards Daniel I don’t think so, I hope this has taught Max a lesson.

He’s obviously a really troubled character, how are you finding playing him?

I’m finding playing him really interesting. I think it's really important when you’re playing someone like Max not to judge them, which can be really difficult, but judging people by their intentions rather than their actions helps. It’s important to learn why Max does everything he does, that’s really key to understanding him. Every time I’m presented with a script the first thing I do is make notes to determine why Max is saying everything that he’s saying so that I can fully understand him and exist in that moment.

You're six months into taking on the role now, are you feeling settled?

I absolutely do feel settled, it’s such a friendly place to work and everyone is so genuine. I don’t feel there’s anyone I can’t go to if I have a question, I feel really at home there now.

Glenda Young

Novelist published by Headline