Corrie Blog Interviews Corrie Boss Iain MacLeod as Stephen Reid’s Reign Comes To An End!

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. 

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! 

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! 

 I am @rybazoxo your (very lucky) Coronation Street Blogger and Superfan 

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I DON'T LIKE CHANGE

The arrival of a new producer always rings in a period of change on Coronation Street. In some cases the whole feel and mood of the show changes, as we saw with Kate Oates’ time in charge. An influx of returning characters alongside a “culling” of current ones can often be the only major differences, allowing us to dig up old storylines and return to the comfort of familiarity. However a producer puts their own stamp on Corrie, there are always periods of highs and lows, where it looks like some characters aren’t being used to their full potential, or others simply don’t fit at that particular time. A new character that looks good on paper can fail to translate on screen. But a new producer has a limited time to experiment with their own ideas, and as they only usually get one shot at it, their legacy can be sealed in those early decisions.

"Murderer!"

Change has definitely arrived on the cobbles now that Iain MacLeod has got his feet under the table. And it’s been a great period so far, as far as I‘m concerned. Iain has chosen to embrace comedy in a major way, and this has meant the laughs have dominated for a couple of months now, despite major storylines like the roof collapse threatening to kill the mood. As is often the case with big budget, dramatic events on Coronation Street, some of us are left asking whether it was really worth it, and aren’t they dragging out the aftermath a bit?

Going hard on the comedy has not been universally popular. Mary’s scenes post-Jude have brought back the old character we know and love – emotional, slightly unhinged, completely unique and in my opinion bloody hilarious. Not to mention the double act of her a Tracy Barlow which is always written and acted brilliantly. But some fans have commented that Mary’s outbursts are unrealistic and a bit too crazy for Coronation Street. Others have mentioned the ramped-up innuendo that we are seeing and hearing more of, some of which I have had to rewind back to check I heard correctly. Again I’m all for it, but it's not everyone’s cup of tea. Lines like “I won’t see a woman fingered for a crime she didn’t commit”; Kirk belting out “our souls at night” at a christening or even a flat out offer of “sex in the bogs” are right up my alley. I can see why people think it’s a bit much on a Monday evening while you’re eating your Quorn sausages though. 

(I'm actually re-watching last night's second episode to jog my mind whilst writing this Blog. I've just googled "French tickler" and am crying with laughter).

"What's a French Tickler?"

OUT WITH THE OLD

Pretty soon we’ll see the arrival of a new family on Coronation Street, which looks set to coincide with the long-term departure of Norris who returned to the cobbles last night in the middle of one of Mary’s meltdowns. The fact that there were more questions than answers over Norris’ whereabouts, who was in the urn, how Emily is and why he was selling the house made me a little uneasy. And why does Freda keep doing sign language to people who aren’t deaf? Some were answered last night, but one thing’s for certain, Number 3 will soon change forever. 

The Baileys’ arrival will see the terraced house get a full makeover, as you would expect, but it will be the end of a Coronation Street era. Iain MacLeod described the Number 3 set as a "museum piece" and had to think long and hard about changing it. Norris lived there from 2000 and of course it was Emily and Ernest’s marital home in the 1970s. 

A number of other much loved characters also resided there for a time – Percy Sugden, Curly, even Deirdre for a while. The likes of Sean and Spider also came and went. Once the new family move in, a little piece of history will be gone, and perhaps Norris and Emily with it. Iain MacLeod has reassured viewers in the past Eileen Derbyshire hasn’t ruled out a return. And we aren’t yet sure what will happen with Norris, but that could be it for the dysfunctional but much loved family of friends we know and love at Number 3.

Much missed Emily Bishop

Along the rest of the ‘common’ side of the street, as Sally would put it, there are lots of links to Corrie’s past. Ken at number 1, he’s part of the furniture. Chesney at number 5 - although a younger member of the neighbourhood, Ches is now a Corrie veteran. Dev’s at number 7 and Tyrone is in Jack and Vera’s ‘Old Rectory’ at number 9. The new family, as far as we know, have few links to the neighbourhood, so it really will be the start of something new.

Change always makes me nervous. As Corrie superfans we are always very protective over our favourite characters and even the bricks and mortar that make up the Street. When Kate Oates gave Rita a brain tumour I was worried her time on the Street was coming to an end. It wasn’t, but the storyline was another example of those ‘what the hell was that!?’ moments. That said I love any storyline Rita is in, so I’m glad Iain has chosen to focus on some of the older characters, even if they aren’t the centre of the drama, they are always around to offer advice or a telling off. At the same time though, the balance between old and young seems to be pretty spot on at the moment. The writers have tapped into the likeability of Gemma and Emma, as well as their comedy value. David’s always lurking in the background of some storyline or another, if not slap bang in the centre of it. Other peripheral characters like Maria, Toyah, Yasmeen and Sophie seem to hover about and not do very much. Which is fine because all soaps need people to fill the gaps in between the comedy and drama of the other characters. I do think it’s about time Maria got something juicy though.

A NIP AND A TUCK

In the past couple of weeks we’ve seen a spate of Corrie resignations. This is healthy I think, even if in the press it looks like an exodus and more dramatic than it actually is. I speculated that we were witnessing a bit of a cull, and this is probably the case, but Iain hasn’t touched Rita, Audrey, Roy or Liz so I’m happy. The cobbles, the Rovers and my favourite characters live to survive another producer - for now. Change is happening but it seems to be more in the spirit of trying to embrace what’s already good about Corrie, rather than add something new or headline-grabbing or dangerous. A few months in to the job Iain MacLeod has had enough time to show us what he’s all about. And of course he needs good writers to make his version of Corrie a reality. He certainly has them. So Corrie remains intact and healthy as ever for me.

And I'm still tittering at "French Tickler"...

I'm on Twitter: @StevieDawson 

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Listen: Our blogger Michael chats about Kate Oates' departure

I was quite shocked to hear Kate Oates had left Coronation Street. Throughout the ups and downs of the past few years, one thing that I have always admired is that she hasn't been afraid to tackle difficult subjects. These big moves have paid off, and although we've seen a much darker Weatherfield it has most definitely been worth it. She will be a real miss, but I can't wait to see what Iain MacLeod brings to the programme.

Anyway, I was invited over to MediaCity this afternoon to chat with the lovely people at BBC Radio 5 Live. I've spoken about Corrie on their programmes before so it's always nice to be back.

I'm not really sure why it was implied that Kate had been forced out of her position - she's certainly no Stuart Blackburn and the show definitely isn't in jeopardy like it was two years ago. It'll be very sad to see her go, but I'm sure she'll of made a brilliant decision. Onwards and upwards with undoubtedly many successful years of producing to come for Kate.

But you can listen to my interview at 1:39 here, or via the embedded video below. Thanks again to the team at 5 Live for having me back - I hope to see you all again soon.

You can follow me on Twitter, @MichaelAdamsUk if you want. I try to be funny.

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