On 24th June 2024, I sat in the cinema at the Coronation Street Experience, alongside the assembled Corrie cast and soap journos’ to watch last night's episode (09th July - Ep 11309/10) in its entirety. Sitting in a cinema watching an episode of Coronation Street, whilst cast members are in the audience watching it with you, is superbly surreal, and a bucket-list fanboy moment to treasure.
Lauren's return was quite the surprise, and following the episode’s exclusive airing, we headed to a floor 3 media suite* where actress Cait Fitton (who plays Lauren) was interviewed about her character's shock-fuelled return!
READ ON!
Hi Cait,
The truth is out and Lauren is alive! How difficult has it been to keep that a secret?
It's been mental and so much fun! I knew, early on, that I was returning, which is very fortunate in this industry. I started filming again in April, and had to sneak in and out of the building with Cal (Callum Lill, who plays Joel) having to put me in his car boot to make sure we weren't being seen - it was chaotic. I’ve had to get on the floor of taxis when leaving and it’s been a whirlwind of emotions. We filmed on location for some scenes, and I was hiding in a big black coat and sunglasses - luckily I wasn't seen”
Tell us what's coming up for Lauren. Why has she only returned now?
“She wanted to put the trauma to the back of her mind and move on. She rushes the process though. Since she left Weatherfied, she's been going from hostel to hostel, sleeping homeless, and not being able to pay the rent, so she’s been getting booted out of different hostels. She’s not been able to come back as she doesn’t know where Joel is: he could be in Weatherfield or away from Weatherfield, but she doesn't want to take that risk. It was a near-death experience and she doesn’t want to face that again. Only when she hears that Roy is in the hospital, it’s affected him physically, so she decides to go back to put things right. She's in survival mode ”
When did you find out about this element of Lauren’s story?
“When I started in 2022, Lauren was supposed to be just a three-part character / three-month stint as a supporting role in Max’s far-right storyline. I didn't know much about her, I knew things were being aired on screen, but I didn't know why she was the way she was. Coming in as a supporting character, you don’t get that opportunity. Was she a racist or was this inherited from her Dad? I then got asked back and little hints of what she’d been through rose to the surface. I think I found out about this latest element just before Cal started, but I did not know how long it would go on for, or tense it would have been”
How would you sum up Lauren’s character?
“Strong, very strong, and very caring. She doesn't trust (a lot of) people, but the people she does trust, she cares about a lot. She was very naive and a different person before she left. If anything she doesn't trust anyone now, even those she had a bond with. It will take a long time to break down those barriers. She's a brilliant character to play. She's a lost little girl and from the wrong side of the tracks”
Lauren’s return also reveals that she’s pregnant!! How does she feel about that?
“She’s never had unconditional love, so she doesn't know what that is. But, with a child, her child, she's that child's role model and that baby’s going be with her through everything. She's got someone that's going to love her unconditionally”
How does she feel about Joel’s reaction?
“She’s petrified, terrified, as she knows what this man can do. She knows he won't stop at anything and now it's not just her she’s got to worry about, it's the baby as well. She wants to keep the baby safe but because of his authority and power, and the fact she’s from the wrong side of the tracks, she’s worried it (the baby) could be taken from her”
Thanks, Cait!
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