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

“It's fantastic for the viewer.”

I recently travelled to Coronation Street studios in Manchester for a press conference with new producer Kate Brooks. It was packed with so much news, views and spoilers, that I'm sharing her insights via a series of blogs. 

Here, she talks about what Christmas 2024 will be like for Leanne, Toyah and Nick.

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

Leanne's dreadful experience with The Institute, and her relationship with Nick, may both be over, but it seems the drama isn't, as he and her sister Toyah continue to hide that they're seeing eachother.       

"You've got Leanne who's got her suspicions about Nick and Toyah, and I felt it was really important to see a different side to Leanne," says Kate.

"She's had a really tough year; she had The Institute, which was all-consuming in many ways. But, she's a Battersby, and she's scrappy and she's feisty - and Toyah is so good, and so brilliant and wonderful. And Leanne sees the life that she had just being taken away from her, and rather than go down the route which is expected, and for her to take it on the chin, or to move on, she really wants to make them pay, and she really is intent on getting her own revenge."

"It can be at the detriment of her own sanity sometimes, but she wants to make them realise what they've done to her. Nick's betrayal is one thing, but the betrayal of a sister is huge."

"And I just love that dynamic between Toyah and Leanne. I think it's fantastic. I remember really vividly them coming on to the Street peak Spice Girls era; they barrelled on to the Street. And just tapping into how they were, and how they were as Battersbys, was really important, and that all comes to the forefront on Christmas Day, and it doesn't end well for anyone.”

Kate's insights here, on other characters central to the festive season, and about Christmas generally, indicates a focus on and interest in personal relationships and stories, as well as a good awareness of the past and who these characters are at their core. 

This is refreshing given that grounded stories and strong characterisation have always been central to the Street at its best, and is hopefully a sign of things to come.

You can read what else she had to say about the festive season and those at the centre of it in the rest in my series of blogs here:

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

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

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

By Emma Hynes

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

Read my recent Corrie interview with Calum Lill

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Cast Interview : Georgia Taylor Talks About Toyah's Troubles!

It's been a tumultuous time for Toyah Battersby, to say the least. Sleeping with Nick, a cancer scare, an arrest, and a legal threat, all whilst Leanne goes gaga for the institute!

Interviewing Georgia Taylor for Coronation Street Blog on a sunny Monday at Corrie’s media suite, I was intrigued to listen to her thoughts on Toyah’s problematic recent history! 

Read On!

Hi Georgia, Leanne is getting deeper and deeper into the institute's dogma. How worried is Toyah about her sister? 

“Concerned - she has been from the off. I was thinking about this, this morning. It's true to the character. Historically, Toyah was always someone who, if she felt strongly about a cause, or someone, was always quite dogged about it, and that's what happened in this instance. She’s not letting it drop”

Does Toyah realise how dangerous Rowan could be? 

“I don't know. I think she must have an idea but why is she then constantly putting herself in danger with the NDA and the blackmail? In some ways, I think it's a distraction from the truth coming out about Rose, processing that, and her arrest. In a way, it's kind of given her a project to focus on. Maybe she’s not fully aware of the danger she's putting herself in”

Nick and Toyah have grown a lot closer. Have these feelings taken her by surprise? 

“Yes! When Toyah told Nick about Rose, he was so understanding, sympathetic and gentle. I think she saw Nick in a light that she’d never seen before”

Is a full affair on the cards? 

“It's a soap, so I would hope so! When Ben (Price, Nick Tilsley) and I spoke to the Corrie execs, we wanted to make this an emotional affair rather than the obvious. We wanted to make it a deeper thing to make it more interesting”

As the drama ranks up, Toyah is mistakenly told she’s pregnant, only to find out it might be cancer! It’s a whirlwind of emotions for her. Who do you think will be there to support her? 

“It's difficult isn't it - Nick wants to be there for her and he's emotionally invested, but on the other side, the institute is affecting Leanne’s behaviour. However, as the storyline moves on, Leanne starts to become emotionally disconnected from her, and as Toyah has no friends, then it is going to be Nick”

How are you feeling playing this juxtaposition of Toyah’s emotional state? 

“It's really fun, I love working with Jane (Danson - Leanne)  and Ben (Price, Nick) - we have a proper laugh. We sometimes share screenshots of scripts about what the characters are going to say to each other. There was a scene played out last week, and Jane said to me the next day ‘’You went through every single emotion". Toyah had buried the baby, went for Rowan, had a huge fight with Leanne, and then had sex with Nick - it was about 18 stories in one episode. It was challenging but as an actor, it’s exactly what you want!” 

Thank you, Georgia! 

Interviewing Georgia Taylor, in person, was a huge treat for this Corrie blogger. Aside from her two separate tenures, and having originally joined the show when I first started watching, Georgia also starred in one of my favourite films: 'The History Boys’ based on the magnificent play by Yorkshire playwright Alan Bennett.

Have you seen any Corrie stars on the celluloid screen, and what do you think of Toyah’s latest dramas? 

I am @rybazoxo on X

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Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 15th of June 8 pm

Imran is dead, Toyah facing a murder charge, and Abi is to have full custody of Alfie? Out of the three, it is the latter that I find to be the most inconceivable in Coronation Street of 2022. Yes, the kid's dad is dead, and Toyah faces a murder charge, but still, you wouldn't let Abi adopt a kid, surely? Arson, substance abuse, alcoholism, theft, forgery: it's a long, long charge sheet. And not forgetting an aborted abduction of baby Alfie, to add to the long list. Surely, surely (as much as I love Abi) not. Tonight, it would seem so. Tonight, we learn that Abi has reapplied for custody, and although she can only adopt her son, rather than fully, we still seem to be ignoring her criminal past - so that's alright then. 

Talking of which, Toyah is introduced to her duty solicitor, who's a bit rough and has a (shock horror) tattoo! The residents discuss the whys and wherefore’s of reintroducing the Susie subplot, and even I have trouble remembering what that was about! Toyah? of questionable character? The factory staff have got short memories! Tattoo aside, Toyah must be glad that Adam (and his crazy hair) arent representing her. She may have driven that car into a brick wall, but surely it's mitigated, and Toyah didn't do it deliberately? At least I think that's what the writers want us to believe?

Legal language is banded around in abundance, as always, and Nick was correct in his assumption! If you live on Coronation Street - you are more than used to that kind of talk. Tattooed she may be, but we still get the duty solicitor explaining Toyah's predicament to Leanne and it's explained rather well. Even yours truly understands by the end of it, which is surely a litmus test for all Corrie viewers. Overall, things do look bad - can Toyah’s innocence win things? If she is innocent? I’m still not convinced, and neither is Leanne, even though she ends up paying for her legal team by the time tonight's episode is over. As I have previously exerted on this blog, I think some hidden crash footage is yet to be seen, which will save Toyah from jail? I'm sure the lovely-looking DS Swain is on it. More of her, please! 

Cathy's calamitous cocktail class with Jim Fizz may have been full of comedy for us viewers, but the joke was ultimately on Brian. Cathy was drowning in sorrows upon discovering his Dear John letters to Julie Carp, and his hankering for Cornwall. Using Evelyn as a soundboard, tonight Cathy decides to confront Brian about the letters and confess her cocktail kiss with Jim. Meanwhile, Brian remains distracted by the Kabins magazine offerings, and after having a chat with Jenny, contacts Jim Fizz for a cocktail lesson. Unfortunately, Jim blabs about the stolen kiss with Cathy, and the truth is out. Cathy may have mocked up a headline banner proposing to Brian, but it's a different headline entirely by the end of the episode. It's obvious where this is going, but it's entertaining, all the same. 

Meanwhile - Gail struggles to steer Audrey away from post-op recovery boozing but lands a job at The Bistro, so Shona gets sent on the wine run instead. Comatose by the end of tonight’s episode, it does seem that Audrey has a drinking problem? Corrie has done this before with Peter, so Im thinking a) it's been done for the older spectrum, or b) it's been muted a bit for comedy value? I doubt it's the latter so we will see how this pans out. 

Elsewhere tonight - Weatherfield County unveil their new kit and Tim’s apoplectic! Roy recites his trainspotting memories, which is, of course, Corrie gold. Fiz and Phill’s wedding is confirmed for the 8th of July, and Fiz’s joy is dashed when it transpires that Mimi can make it after all, and plans to arrive early to cause mayhem, no doubt. Save the date on your kitchen calendar!

Brilliant writing again tonight, and following Monday’s hilarity, I think Friday night should be worth a watch! I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan 

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