It's absolute revenge: Interview with Julia Goulding

After finding out from Max about David's prison visit to Clayton and his hiding of her visiting orders – making her feel she was losing her sanity in the process – Shona Platt is incensed. 

Meanwhile, Kit Green's attempts to impress Daisy Midgeley are failing miserably. 

Each with their own troubles, they've somehow ended up spending the night together.

I travelled to Coronation Street Studios for an interview with Julia Goulding who plays Shona to get her take on what's going on for this unexpected  pairing. Those who don't wish to read any spoilers should look away now.

“I never expected Shona to cheat on David,” says Julia. “Eight years they've been together, and she's always been faithful; she's literally never looked at another man. But, she was pushed to it.” She adds, “I'm definitely on her side in all of this.”

Noting everything David has done, including gaslighting her, Julia reckons her cheating is “out of pure revenge. I don't think she's necessarily been lusting after Kit. I don't think he's really crossed her radar –she's probably served him a couple of times in Roy's Rolls. She's very loyal. It's absolute revenge.”

Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt) and Julia reportedly argue in defence of their own characters' actions. “From his point of view, I get it,” she says.“But, I'm not coming from his point of view, I'm coming from mine. He's been using her brain injury against her. And also, sorry, this is not the 1950s; a woman is allowed to make her own decisions and not have her husband hide her mail from her. I definitely think he's in the wrong.”

In tonight's episode, we saw Shona accept Kit's invite to his hotel room without it being clear if anything happened between them for the second time. Asked if she thinks Shona would be capable of embarking on a full-blown affair, Julia says, “Well it depends how good that night was, I suppose. She's obviously tempted, because she goes back to the hotel room. It must have been really good. She pops her anorak on, and off she goes!”

What we did see, however, was Shauna arrive home with an injury, and we're told she was hit by a car after emerging from the hotel, resulting in a fractured arm. This means she has to lie to David who thinks she has slept on the sofa for the night after an argument over what her use of the morning-after pill means. For Shona, it was on foot of her secret night with Kit, while oblivious David interprets it as a sign of her not wanting to have another baby with him when she apparently indicated she did.

Pointing out that Shona isn't someone who generally tells untruths, Julia describes this as “the start of this web of lies that she's spiralling into”

We're told Shona doesn't have any initial concerns about Kit having any secrets to hold against her, as he's nice to her, but that she is perhaps underestimating his ruthlessness.

While she acknowledges that “the brain injury hasn't gone anywhere,” Julia notes that shades of the old Shona are starting to emerge, and says, “It has just been such a joy to play...that fire and that fierceness is back with a vengeance.”

On the pending departure of Gail, Julia says “She's been a constant for Shona, for sure. I think she's feeling nervous because with Gail gone, it could expose a lot more goings on in the family.” In terms of actress Helen Worth leaving the show, Julia says, it was “horrendous” saying goodbye. “It was emotional on so many levels, because from my point of view, personally, I've not only worked with Helen for eight years, I've watched her since I can remember. So Gail's been part of my life since I started watching Corrie, and obviously the last eight years getting to know Helen as a person as well. So, yeah, it was incredibly emotional.”

By Emma Hynes

Read all about my recent trip to Coronation Street in A Rover Returns.

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A Classic Christmas for Gail? Interview with Corrie Producer Kate Brooks

“I love our Christmas Day. I just thoroughly enjoyed everything about it.”

It's always a big moment when a new Corrie producer takes the reigns, and quite natural for fans to receive the news with both excitement and trepidation, as we anticipate how the show will be shaped under their authority.

Kate Brooks was appointed to the role in April 2024, and we're told her first episodes are set to appear on our screens in mid-December; just in time for Christmas. 

I travelled to Coronation Street studios in Manchester for her first press conference, which was packed with news, views and spoilers. 

Those who don't wish to be in the know should look away now.

I'm delighted to be able to bring you a flavour, from Kate, of what the festive season will hold via a series of blogs. As the biggest news is that the Christmas Day episode will be Gail Rodwell's last, with actress Helen Worth bidding farewell to the show, this first in the series will focus on that storyline.

It's quite simply impossible to imagine Corrie without Gail after 50 brilliant years, and she leaves a proud legacy of both iconic performances, and the kind of reassuring presence, whether on-screen or not, which is the hallmark of any great soap character. She might also leave a final sprinkle of confetti in her wake - or not - as we're told her farewell may - or may not - involve a wedding to husband number five. 

Here's what Kate had to say about this, and what we can expect overall from Coronation Street this Christmas.

“It is, in a word, very fun. It's a really lively Christmas on the Street. It's really festive.”

“Lots of bombshells are dropped. Obviously this is set against Gail's wedding - whether she goes through with that or not, I cannot tell - but it is a story about the Platts at the heart of it. Basically, it's a story about family and how secrets can impact and implode on a family, so there is a lot of betrayals, lots of secrets are exposed during this episode, and it will feel very kind of Classic Corrie with a bit of a twist.”

“Obviously, I think we're all in need of a bit of escapism at the minute, and we've had quite a dark, and brilliant, few months on the cobbles. Christmas, and the Christmas period for us, is all about trying to tap into the family dynamics of the Platts - what makes people tick - and ultimately trying to make sure that we give the glorious Gail the exit that she deserves."

"She's been such an icon on the street for such a long time - 50 years of television, which is amazing - and we can't tell a story about her exit, and we can't tell the story on Christmas Day about her exit, without it feeling and being steeped in nostalgia, and there's tons of nostalgia in this episode."

"Hopefully people will be crying, they'll be laughing, there'll be gasps as people kind of watch and go, 'Oh my goodness! That's just happened!' [It's] old school Corrie, but just with a real modern twist, and I think people will really, really enjoy it.”

“I want people to sit down Christmas night with a full tummy, watch this episode Christmas Day and go, 'You know, that's exactly what I needed.' So that's what Corrie is this Christmas.”

I don't know about you reading this, but when I heard fun, lively, festive, family, Classic / Old School Corrie, escapism, nostalgia and laughter, I was already thinking, that's exactly what I need from Coronation Street, before even seeing the episode. It sounds like essential viewing this Christmas, not least on foot Gail's farewell, which is the end of an era in the truest sense.

Expanding on what we can expect from her departure storyline, Kate says, “In the run up to Christmas she's found out that some of her nearest and dearest have absolutely betrayed her. She doesn't know who to believe. Even her dear old Mum has lied to her and she really struggles with that and she's a bit, like, 'I don't know whether I want this. I don't know whether I want to be with Jesse.' She contemplates and questions everything and every decision she's ever made; and obviously Gail's had a really colourful past, so that will be part of that Christmas Day episode.”

“She's going to leave the Street, and it's going to be so wonderful and sad, 'cos I'm devastated that Gail's leaving. It really devastates me, 'cos she's so iconic. And I think that label gets bandied about quite readily, but it's Gail! 50 years she's been on the Street. We've watched her grow, and it was really important to make sure that her exit and departure felt really fitting and in keeping with who she is as a character.”

Kate came across as very down to earth, passionate and knowledgable about the show. She did work on Corrie previously between 2011 and 2016, first as a storyliner and then story editor, before moving to a producer role with Emmerdale, so that may make her familiarity with it not wholly surprising. But she had on a Newton & Ridley jumper when we met – an homage to Weatherfield's finest brewery – which gave the impression we weren't just speaking with someone assigned to the position, but a fan of the show, and up for a bit of fun to boot; here's hoping her lovely good humour makes its way into the scripts!

It was great, and admittedly refreshing, to hear what lies in store for our Christmas with Corrie this year, and when Kate went on to talk about what the future held for clusters of characters, I felt the dear hope that strong characterisation, and character-led drama, might be a hallmark of her tenure.

Time, of course, will tell, but speaking in such terms felt like a good sign.

Now that we have an overall sense of the feel of the festive season on the cobbles, and what a farewell may look like for Gail, you can read all about what Kate had to say about those other characters which will feature most at Christmas and in the build up:

Christmas Eves: Carla and Lisa get Festive? Interview with Corrie Producer Kate Brooks

Nick, Leanne and Toyah Share Ex-mas? Interview with Corrie Producer Kate Brooks

Oh Christmas Three! Corrie Producer Kate Brooks Talks Daisy, Bethany and Daniel

By Emma Hynes

Read all about my recent trip to Coronation Street in A Rover Returns.

Read my recent Corrie interview with Calum Lill

Web

www.emmahynes.com

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Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 7th June, 8 pm

Welcome to another Wednesday Weatherfield round-up and to catch up on the latest goings on, on Coronation Street. I've had a few weeks off as doing press day events usually means I’m weeks in front with storylines and spoilers, but I've now caught up. That said, I've another event in the pipeline so we shall see how this month pans out!

Tonight starts at Sarah and Adam’s Redbank pad, with Adam getting deluged with solicitor work, so he's unable to make the football match with Harry. The late licence is granted but he’s still busy with work, much to his wife’s irritation. Sarah despatches the match tickets to Shona so she finds herself free for the evening. Damon overhears the cafe conversation and heads over to her flat armed with a bottle of vino and a cache of sweet nothings to whisper in her ear. 

The clandestine meet is soon interrupted when Gail brings Harry home from school! Sarah's lied about her whereabouts and her mum is quick to spot that something is going off. With Gail out of the way, it’s Harry who sees Sarah actually kissing Damon. 

Harry then decides to draw a picture of the event to show his granny! Gail confronts Sarah with the evidence and she admits the truth, and about the fact that she wanted to ruin the late licensing chances. Later, Sarah tells Damon they've been caught and that things must stop, whilst she lies to Harry to shut him up. 

 

Meanwhile, the Baileys haven’t really had much comedy, have they? Ed debuted by knocking a hole through Ken’s living room wall, for the renovations, but we've had little funnies from them since, until now? Fresh from meeting their ex-very posh neighbours at Debbie’s hotel cuisine night, Ed and Aggie are embarrassed about swapping Alderley Edge for Weatherfield and living in squalor at N0.3 (that makeover hasn't done much for them, I guess). Ed tells Dee-dee that they won't stop texting to arrange a posh dinner party, so Agie harangues Tim and Sally into letting them use No.4 for a soiree, instead. A house-swap? I can only guess this will lead to shenanigans, especially since the guest stars playing Patrick and Yvette are both comedy gold. 

Elsewhere, Ryan’s suddenly crystal clear with the fact that he’s been catfished and Daisy insists on playing dumb. Carla is hellbent on getting to the bottom of who’s been playing with his emotions. Ryan unloads all of this on Daisy and she blames Justin and Karen.  

Back from the STC, Max must wear an electronic tag as part of his licensing conditions. Starting rehabilitation, Max writes a letter for Alya and manages to get it delivered to Speed Daal. Alya's stressed at the solicitors, blowing up in front of Sarah and admits her misery from the Weatherfield race riots and Max’s hand in the violence. Adam offers her some gentle advice. Alya receives the letter and is furious at Max’s indifference, catching him in the street to throw the letter back in his face. Gary splits up the ruckus but lends a sympathetic ear to Max's plight. Gary then tells Alya he’s smoothed things over and Max will now leave her alone. Gav calls Max to arrange a catch-up with his girlfriend, and he arrives home late to the police paying another visit. He’s been spotted visiting Speed Daal! Shona promises to keep a closer hold on him. 

In other news, Todd’s still single, David and Glenda got a great scene together, and the charity shop does a great sideline in Dad jokes! 

What did you think of tonight’s offering?  I am @rybazoxo if you want to tweet and let me know!

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Tuesday 6th of July 8.00 pm

As football fever continues to grip the nation, I revert again to football-style prose for this episode review. Inspired by Corrie's Twitter character scorecards, I thought I'd join in the fun.  It's an easy tact to take,  football fodder does seem to please the masses, so here we are. 

Tonight, Todd's previous match-fixing finally appears to have paid off. Billy’s acceptance of the proposal has the boys waxing lyrical about rings, and Summer’s diabetic diagnosis seems to have simmered down. However, Todd still has a disgruntled Paul to deal with, and after receiving nasty notes and text messages, Billy assumes Paul is playing jealous games and warns him off. However, Todd soon discovers that the messages are actually from the Kipling kid, Will (remember the whole piano smashing/helpline story) so it looks like Todd hasn't gotten away with it his conniving, just yet. Are we enjoying this one?  Does it feel like we have been here before though? I do wonder why an Archdeacon is faffing about with such a trivial teenage love triangle tosh? At least we get to see (the lesser spotted) Eileen back on the cobbles.  The cake kid tells Todd he wants £5K to keep schtum so I'm sure we've not heard the end of this either. Meanwhile, Paul arranges a drink with the other helpline guy, uncovering more information about Todd’s underhand tactics. 

The fact that Gail is traveling to Thailand at all,  with all things considered, is made even less plausible by the fact that she’s just had a heart attack. However, implausible and the Platts have long since been connectable so it's somehow forgiven. The last time Gail bogged off to Bangkok, she came back as more or less the same character. Is this a reboot designed to reinstill that classic Corrie Gail so desperately missed these days, or will she come back with a new boyfriend in tow?  Either way, I think she needs a break. Not a sending off as such, she’s just resting pitchside. David and the family try to dissuade Gail, and even Natasha and Sam fail to stop her from going. However, I was glad to see Leanne take charge and smooth things over for Nick and his son. That can't have been easy for her to do and proves once again what a legend she is. Talking of which, let's hope Gail comes back rejuvenated because it becomes more implausible every time she debunks it for a bit. Gail reminding us viewers that she is ‘part cobble’ should hopefully be a sign of some future resurgence. Some great writing coming from Debbie Oates. 

Ryan’s DJ gig idea with Daisy has been quickly fired up with an outdoor party for Simon Barlow’s 18th. Very quick, as these things always are in Weatherfield, and it serves as a plot point to speed up the obvious chemistry between The Rovers barman and barmaid. Alya’s slowly sussing it but still, Daisy’s matching dress scheme was classic bitchiness. Later. Alya and Ryan argue about it all. I know she's a little minx, and my daughter is called Daisy as well, but I think she's great! A keen mixer is what any drama needs. 

Elsewhere in tonight's episodes; Izzy’s working from home struggle becomes much more clearer, and Sean tries to move back into Eileen's house.  

                                                                                ***

In this 60 minute Corrie game of drama, there were a few highlights tonight. Paul substituted to the sidelines, Izzy shocks by quitting the team, Gail takes a mid-season break, and Carla and Sarah both vie for the manager's role 

@rybazoxo your Corrie pundit

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