The last time I was in a cinema was to see Elton John's rock biopic 'Rocketman', a superb film, but as someone who rarely graces ‘the flicks’ 2016 was my last popcorn pig-out, until now. Sitting snugly in the Coronation Street experience event space, I’ve just finished watching a montage of this Monday and Wednesday's Corrie, concluding with the entire run of this Friday’s (the 13th - spooky) dramatic ‘super soap week’ end to the Stephen Reid reign. My popcorn box is wrapped in an image of Corrie’s latest serial killer, and having just put the packet safely on the floor (I’m saving that!) I can't believe the cinema experience I've just had. As much as I love Elton John, you cannot beat watching a preview episode of Corrie whilst several cast members are sitting in the back row (no smooching!) whilst Coronation Street showrunner Iain Macleod sits directly in front of you, making sure we could see the scenes, as he joked about having a big-head. As someone who once interviewed cast members whilst sitting on set in the Rovers Return, this latest press event comes second only as being my best Coronation Street Blog experience.
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| Corrie gave us some Stephen Reid Popcorn! |
As the cinema lights came on, followed by rapturous applause from the assembled press and corrie cast members (Spoiler Alert - I’m giving away nothing about the episodes) it was time to sit back and interview Corrie's head honcho (and definitely not big-headed) boss Iain Macleod to talk about this week's super soap week dramatics!
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| Iain Macleod -Corrie Producer |
Hi Iain!
Can you tell us what viewers can expect from this week’s Super Soap Week Episodes?
It’s so chocked full of twists and the week as a whole, you don’t know where to turn. The performances are great, and the director, David Kester, has done a brilliant job. The lighting team has given it a cinematic feel, whilst still being very Coronation Street, and it's also very funny. It helps to have the Platt family in the middle of a lot of it, as their interplay is brilliant. It’s full of surprises - things will happen in this as Stephen tries to cover his tracks to try to get away with it all. There are a lot of unexpected things, so enjoy the ride!
You mention the Platt family. How important was it to have the whole cast rumble Stephen’s murders? - it sounds like quite the ensemble week.
Indeed, that's what Coronation Street and continuing drama does best - it’s about community. It's not just as simple as ‘Stephen has done some bad stuff’ it has ripple effects across the whole street, and that's just a lot more fun to watch, isn't it? We were very keen to explore the depths of Stephen’s bad behaviour and the different people he’s impacted!
When you asked Todd (who plays Stephen Reid) to return, you’d already decided he would be a villain this time around -where did the idea come from?
Like all the best ideas, it came from a story conference and two or three of our writers pitched it (Debbie Oates, Ian Kershaw, and Julie Jones) that the golden boy of the wider Platt/Roberts family was to come in, and although nobody could see it as first, he was a very desperate man and operating in plain sight. We also loved the story arc of it, and that his crimes are driven by ego and an inability to admit that he’s failed and to lose face. We didn't know much about his background and the story has grown as time developed. It’s been really well written and a lot of fun,
Is it important to have a villain, in some sort, on a show such as Coronation Street?
All stories need an antagonist or everyone just muddles along being nice to each other. People need obstacles to their happiness, you need it for high drama. A villain comes in and starts a story off from thin air, exactly what happened with Stephen.
Stephen's exit will have an impact on the Platt’s. Is it crucial to leave collateral damage when a villain goes?
Yes, it’s like when you watch a movie, the movie ends, the protagonist (or antagonist) walks off into the sunset and the film ends, but soaps aren't like that. You need to think of the sequel before the first film has ended. There are wide-ranging consequences to Stephen’s actions - practically, emotionally, and criminally, and you need to know what the sequel is! In the grand tradition of sequels, I hope this is Godfather ll. It's going to be an exciting few months to come on Coronation Street.
Thank you, Iain!
A cinematic reference is probably a good way to end that interview. Like I say, I’m no Barry Norman and European cinema is far more my bag, but as a Coronation Street superfan, this was probably my best experience EVER in a cinema.
Was it cinematic Coronation Street, though?
Watch ITV and ITVX this week to find out. Keep your eyes peeled on this blog as we’ve more cast interviews to come in this Super Soap Week epic!
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