Alina Pop Returns With A Bang! : Corrie Cast Interview

Three years have passed since we last saw Alina Pop in Weatherfield. After splitting with Tyrone, she fled back to Romania. Next week, Alina's spotted by Fiz back in Weatherfield, telling her she's visiting as a witness in a human trafficking trial. But is that all Alina has returned for? On June 24th I sat in a scorching Corrie media suite to interview Ruxandra Porojnicu (who plays Alina) about her return to Coronation Street!

Hi Ruxandra, 

What brings Alina back to Weatherfield? 

“She’s a witness in a trial (at court) in a case against human traffickers. She has returned (to Weatherfield) and wants to avoid Tyrone but isn't successful!”

How does Alina react when she bumps into Fiz?

“If by choice she would have avoided that at all costs but it happens and she wants to get away from it as soon as possible”

Is she curious to see Tyrone or is it just a case of returning purely for the court case? 

“Had it not been for the court case she wouldn't have come back at this point. She had feelings for Tyrone but that was in the past”

Does she still carry any feelings for Tyrone? 

“She was looking to build a life with him and they went through a lot of trauma together. I think she still has feelings for him but it's a different type of feeling now”

The last time we saw Alina it looked like she was pregnant. She’s very coy this time. Have you wondered what happened to Alina while she’s been away? 

“I’ve been away for two years and know how Coronation Street works! I have thought about Alina and wondered if she would return to cause more drama! I was pleased when I got a call to return and everyone was very welcoming”

She’s been through a lot since she was last on the street. Do you think we will see a more grown-up version of Alina now? 

“Yes! Time heals, and you learn from your experiences, which makes you grow as a person”

When you were here last time, we were post-COVID but still worked with restrictions. Are you enjoying being back and able to work more freely? 

"Yes, it feels like a completely different job. Before the Tyrone storyline, Alina was with Seb and we had the human trafficking story. During that were some normal times but a big chunk of my last work was during the pandemic which was very challenging but it was great to work with Jenny and Alan (Fiz and Tyrone)"

Thanks, Ruxandra!

I am @rybazoxo on X

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Ruxandra Porojnicu interview: Shock affair for Alina and Tyrone?

Alina Pop and Tyrone Dobb's friendship has been developing rapidly over recent weeks, but when their feelings for each other escalate and become unavoidable, hearts are bound to be broken. During a recent press event, Ruxandra Porojnicu told us about how Alina will deal with this situation. 

"Alina definitely likes the fact that Tyrone has a sense of humour, he always makes her laugh," said Ruxandra. As well as an evident connection, Alina is also drawn to the fact that Tyrone is protective over her. "He's trying to help her every time she's in a bit of trouble, or she's unsure about anything. He's trying to be by her side and that's very important for her." 

Alina and Tyrone's feelings have grown progressively, becoming clear for Alina when they work on her car together in the garage. Ruxandra told us: "Spending so much time together and doing something they both are good at creates a bond between them. [Tyrone] coming to the factory and coming and saying 'Hi', and trying to find time to spend with her, it made Alina wonder what is happening."

While they seem smitten with each other, Ruxandra has mixed feelings about whether they're a good pairing or not. "On one hand, I believe they are because they are both good people and they both care about each other's happiness, so they are not selfish."

Tyrone comes as a package with two children, so could this be too much for Alina to cope with? "Alina's very unexperienced when it comes to relationships and this might be a bit tricky because Tyrone is a family man and Alina could potentially become step-mother- it might be a bit overwhelming for her in the future."

Alina does her best to stay away from Tyrone, but this doesn't work out as planned and ends up with Fiz confronting Alina in Roy's Rolls. "I think [Alina] does feel guilty because Fiz was there for her, now she feels like she shouldn't bring so much unhappiness to Fiz's life. But, at the same time, she's trying to step down and to stay away from Tyrone. 

"When this doesn't work out as it should, and Fiz confronts Alina, then I think everything changes, from Alina's perspective as well because she realises that if she's not going to stand up for herself, then she's going to be in a lot of trouble," said Ruxandra. 

Alina and Tyrone are bound to be the hot topic of Weatherfield gossip, but what advice would Ruxandra give Alina? "I think I'm a bit too late, but if I would have the opportunity to speak with her beforehand, then I would definitely tell her to stay away from a taken man." 

During the chat, Ruxandra also told us about how excited she was about being involved in this storyline. "Alan (Tyrone) and Jennie (Fiz) are amazing actors and what they've done with Fiz and Tyrone is just beautiful, you know. They are such an iconic couple. I was so grateful to be part of this storyline and work with them, so I was definitely very excited."

Could this be the start of a blossoming new relationship for Alina and Tyrone, and what will the inevitable ramifications be?

Sophie Williams 

I'm on Twitter @soph_writer

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Corrie Embarks on Modern Slavery Storyline

The tragedy of human trafficking will be brought to our attention on Coronation Street in the coming weeks as Seb Franklin learns more about his on-off girlfiend Alina Pop and her involvement in the dark underworld of modern slavery. 

We’ve already been given an insight into the controlling nature of the possible ringleaders as Alina struggles to get time away from the nail salon and Jan continues to discourage Seb from pursuing his relationship with her. 

Corrie's Ruxandra Porojnicu

Actor Ruxandra Porojnicu, who is originally from Romania, appeared on ITV’s Lorraine show earlier and explained how she herself could have ended up in a similar position to her character, arriving in the UK with just a few hundred pounds and a somewhat naive approach to life in a strange country:

‘The thing what really helped me (prepare for the role), at least at the beginning, was the fact that I found myself in Alina’s situation when I came here to the UK with big dreams. I just wanted to work for a better future and earn money, that was it’ she told Christine Lampard. ‘I was a bit naive – I didn’t know I’d need to sign a contract or to know more about these people.’

Since getting the Corrie gig, Ruxandra has worked alongside the Salvation Army to prepare for what looks set to be a gripping but tragic storyline. Coronation Street has not shied away from the dark side of British society in it’s storytelling in recent years covering male rape, sexual grooming and suicide. The latest subject has also been part of the national conversation and Parliament has passed laws to crack down on the issue which affects people all across the world. 

The Modern Slavery act was introduced by James Brokenshire in 2015

In July this year a gang of traffickers were jailed in the UK as reported on CNN. This particular group was from Poland and trafficking from Eastern Europe has been a particular problem in the UK. Traffickers and their victims often come from Poland and Romania but not exclusively.

The National Crime Agency has promoted a campaign entitled “Can You See Me?” and they give examples of situations in which the average person might be able to spot these crimes in action. One video depicts a nail bar, and this is the exact example Coronation Street has used. Watch it HERE.

Corrie Producer Iain MacLeod recently talked about the specific scenario writers went with: "This is one of the biggest hidden scandals in the UK today. Our research has shown us that in many towns and cities across Britain, people are being forced to work against their will, living in extreme poverty and in fear for their safety, all so ruthless criminal gangs can get rich at their expense.

"We are keen to highlight that slavery hides in plain sight – the salon which does your nails for a too-good-to-be-true price, the car wash which valets your hatchback for half the going rate... these could all be staffed by people who are being coerced, threatened and exploited."

For more information about how you can spot modern slavery happening in towns and cities across the UK visit the National Crime Agency’s website.

A full interview with actor Ruxandra Porojnicu can be found HERE.

I am on Twitter: @StevieWatchesTV

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All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License