Coronation Street have revealed a first look promo of an upcoming special single strand episode focussing on Todd and Theo’s increasingly disturbing relationship.
As the domestic abuse that Todd is suffering at the hands of partner Theo intensifies, this powerful episode, which transmits on Monday 15th December, sees the police descend on the street after a report of a domestic incident.
The entire episode will be shown through the point of view of cameras such as Todd’s hidden camera, CCTV, dashcam, video doorbell and police bodycams as a series of flashbacks show what happened inside the flat. Will Theo’s abuse be exposed?
Talking about being asked to direct this first of its kind episode, Coronation Street Director Matt Hilton revealed: “It felt like a really bold idea to show it in this intimate and voyeuristic way that I'd never seen done before and as a fan of the true crime genre I could see how it could work if we did it right, something that would be intriguing for the viewer and make them feel uncomfortable in watching it all take place.”
On filming this stylised episode, the actor who plays Todd, Gareth Pierce, explains: “We were discovering how to play to that style of filming 'on the job', so it felt like an exciting collaborative adventure for all departments. I think I anticipated it might feel like we were watching Corrie characters through a haze, a slight step further back from the action, but it actually has the opposite effect where it feels like it brings us closer, like we're eavesdropping on our characters and seeing something we shouldn't. I haven't seen the full episode yet, but the bits I have seen are very effective and disorientating.”
Throughout the Todd and Theo story arc the Coronation Street production team have worked closely with charities Stonewall and Galop. James Cartwright who plays Theo said that is felt on set: “Domestic violence is real for a lot of people, it often escalates around Christmas, so there’s a real level of respect on the set. You've got to tread that line between drama, storytelling and authenticity. It will be very challenging to watch for anybody who's been through it, or is going through something similar, but we also have to be careful not to rush it or you run the risk of doing a disservice to people who've been through it.”
Glenda Young
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2 comments:
These episodes with Theo and Todd fill me with rage...I cannot wait for Theo to get his comeuppance. Just listening to him to talk to other people with the sugary voice is enough to make me write a harsh letter to Itv.heehee
Didn't Inside Number 9 do an entire episode on a ring doorbell? IIRC it didn't end too well for the dog...
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