Rowan’s Cult Courts Another Corrie Resident?

My favourite Coronation Street story of 2024, thus far, has got to be Leanne's descent and indoctrination into the wellness cult a.k.a The Altovalent Institute. What does ALTOVALENT mean?*

I use the word Wellness as I think this is a very modern-day story. Post-COVID (and during it) you will have seen many an Instagram or FB Page offering this kind of cultish CBT pseudo-science lifestyle guru guff, and Leanne is almost the perfect victim for cult leader Rowan. Interviewing actor Emrhys Cooper at the Coronation Street media suite, I was surprised to learn that Emrhys (great name, that!) has some real-life cult experience! Read on…

Hello Emrhys, 

Is Rowan now confident that he has Leanne where he wants her?

“He’s pretty confident and he sees another potential victim in Amy. I think he will orchestrate Leanne into doing dirty work recruiting this new addition to the organisation!”

He also has the dirt on Nick and Toyah. Will he bide his time or use it to his advantage when he needs it most? 

“I think Rowan is pretty experienced with blackmail, and he’s enjoying it. The affair was a surprise he was trying to get it, and BOOM he got the best piece of dirt. Leanne’s upload got him a lot of information, and he has the best ammunition”

How does Rowan react when he sees Amy at the institute ‘taster session’?

 

“She’s a little lost and has £40K, so it’s perfect. He’s overheard about her inheritance, through Leanne, and she needs direction, so he thinks HE is the right direction! (laughs). He believes in the institute and justifies his actions for the greater good. He thinks it's the right thing for her” 

What do you think his motive is, is it about fleecing Weatherfied residents and then leaving, or sticking around to help people? 

“It's an interesting duality with Rowan: he wants to help people and believes in people, but he’s also aware he’s taking advantage. However, he would like to stick around and open another resource centre so he can get more victims!”

Would you like to see him unmasked and to see a darker side to him? 

“I would like to see him unmasked to find out more about him and his past. I’m excited and looking forward to seeing him unravel. We've seen the charming facade, but there is a darker side to him, and I would like to see that brought out”

What do you think he’s capable of? 

“A lot! I think he’s willing to do whatever it takes. We will learn (in the coming weeks) about what he’s done in the past. He’s willing to go very far in protecting his mission and he’s not going to let anything get in his way”

Do you enjoy playing Rowan? 

“I’ve honestly had the best six months playing Rowan. I’ve said this in other interviews, my parents fell victim to  Rowan-type characters when they were in a cult, 22 years ago. I've been around this kind of character. Not necessarily in cults but in life I have experienced conmen. I love how Corrie's writers have made this realistic as he is charming and sophisticated - he’s not an obvious villain. Given my connection and seeing the dangers first-hand, with my parents, it left a lot of scars on them. They got into this organisation thinking it was a wellness and fitness thing. Cults are very good at disguising what they are really about. I was impressed by how the Corrie writers have had this. My job is to tell this story as realistic as possible. My dad gave me advice on this, I am fascinated with cults, and this role is important to me so I spread awareness about this kind of character and organisations”

Do you think Rowan could be a victim of the cult as well? 

“Great question! I think he’s had a dark and chequered past and he discovered this organisation, which helped to turn his life around, but they have a lot of information on him! He’s also done an upload so he may be scared to leave the cult. He’s fully invested and very ambitious so I do think he believes in it” 

Thanks, Emrhys!

Will Rowan expose Nick and Toyah? My next cast interview to publish is with Georgia Taylor so I’ll let you know!

*it's a completely made-up word! Can any Corrie fans tell me if I’m wrong, or if it's an anagram? I am @rybazoxo on X   

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Corrie Cast Chat: Meet Betsy Swain!

Last week, Corrie introduced another new character into Joel's (ever increasingly weird) world of teenage girls. Credited as 'Sabrina's Mate' this feisty blonde set out to blackmail the slimy solicitor, after seeing him flirt with her friend. It didn't take long for Corrie's X sleuths to guess that 'Sabrina's mate' is actually Betsy Swain, daughter of D.S Lisa Swain. Making her acting debut via the biggest soap on British television, I was honoured to be at last week's Coronation Street press event, at ITV Studios, which introduced the (youthful-looking) 22-year-old actress Sydney Martin (who plays Betsy) to the soap media. 

Hi Sydney! Welcome to Coronation Street...

How did the role of Betsy come about and what was the process? 

"Initially, in January of this year, I went for two smaller roles for a couple of episodes, which was great to be seen by Coronation Street, but I didn't get them. It was good to make it through twice. Two weeks later, they asked if I wanted to audition for a series regular! I was like "Yeah, that would be great!" I got the audition through for Betsy in February, it was a two-month process, and it was quite a long process! I did a read-through with Vicky (Myers, D.S Swain), and two screen tests, taking it as a good experience. I didn't expect to get it! I was doing 6 nights a week at Tesco so it was quite the career change!"

You are 22 years old in real life but play a teenager. Do you think that's the best way, rather than coming into such a huge show as a teenage actress? 

"Yeah, this is my first role and hats off to any of the younger cast who do it because it is daunting! With such a big family atmosphere and coming in as a new person, everyone has welcomed me with open arms but it is, especially when it's your first TV thing. To come in on the Lauren storyline which is such an important massive storyline, and to understand it more, as I'm a lot older, it's dealing with serious topics, which has been nice"

Is 16-year-old Betsy anything like 16-year-old Sydney? 

"Absolutely not! - she's different to me, but I love it as she's my alter ego. I would have loved to have been like her at that age -she's so confident. It's nice to do it and so fun to replay your teenage years but in different shoes! She's the complete opposite of me!"

What were you told about Betsy - how would you describe her? 

"I had a big description through when I first got it, just that she's feisty, cocky, and a smart cookie. She's intelligent, like her Mum, streetwise, and has had to fend for herself. They are working through their grief together. I've been playing with these personality traits. In the next few weeks, we will see a few different sides to her. I've watched a lot of scenes that Vicky has done and based her on Swain! I wanted to channel her into Betsy."

We've already seen Betsy blackmail Joel, and she's about to blackmail Carla. For someone raised by two female detectives, why does she seem to have some contempt for the law? 

"She lost her other Mum whilst she was on duty, so has a bit of disrespect for the career, which causes some tension in their relationship, but also a sense of "Mummy can get me out of it" (if she gets in trouble) She plays with that a bit and has a sense of naivety in thinking her Mum would just get her out of trouble!"

How are you getting on with Vicky? 

"I've been here two months now. We have the best dressing room chats: we talk about anything and everything! In another universe, we were definitely mother and daughter. We are so similar, and Vicky got me flowers on my first day, she just made me feel so appreciated and welcome! To have the mother figure, to have someone, has been really brilliant!

Thank you, Sydney!    

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On the hottest day of the year thus far, I spent last Monday at ITV studios in Salford, meeting a few more Corrie cast members, had a stroll on the Street set, AND saw DS Swain in the flesh, which made this an extraordinary Corrie day out for yours truly! 

Keep your eyes peeled for more cast interviews to come. I'm armed with spoilers, and having seen a preview of next week's episodes, I can tell you you're in for a treat! A scorching day of summer spoilers!

I am @rybazoxo on X 

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