Note: This article contains discussion of sensitive topics such as grooming.
Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street star Lucas Hodgson-Wale has explained the purpose of the controversial storyline involving Will Driscoll and Megan Walsh, with the actor saying it was developed to raise “awareness”.
ITV
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The ITV soap has been exploring an issue-based storyline in recent months, with athletics coach Megan grooming and exploiting Will. She has lied to everybody to cover up her abuse, but the walls are closing in.
As Sam Blakeman began to notice that Megan and Will’s relationship wasn’t acceptable, Megan bullied Sam into staying quiet. As the youngster becomes panicked next week, Megan’s lies and crimes will be exposed.
Hodgson-Wale, who joined the soap as Will in November, spoke about the impact of the dark storyline, and explained why producers were so keen to develop an arc that would highlight an underrepresented issue in society.
“[It was developed to raise] awareness. This kind of inappropriate, underage relationship – especially the dynamic of an older woman and a younger guy – isn’t talked about as often as it should be,” said the actor.
“These issues are happening in the real world. We want to show that no matter the gender or the dynamic, it is never acceptable. Bringing light to that is the most important part of this job.”
While Megan’s crimes will be exposed, Will is in a position that many victims of abuse initially face – namely that he doesn’t feel as if he is one. As such, Hodgson-Wale confirmed that his character would defend Megan to begin with.
“In Will’s mind, he’s not a victim. He thinks a victim is someone who has suffered intense hardship, and since he thinks he’s enjoying this, he doesn’t see the harm,” explained the actor.
ITV
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“He’s naïve to the fact that Megan is scheming and taking charge of everything. He’s just tagging along, not realising how much of a toll it’s taking on his mental health or his family. It’s getting dangerous.”
“At first, he’ll definitely jump to her [Megan’s] defence. It will take him a long time to accept the idea that it wasn’t a mutual thing and that he was actually being manipulated,” he added.
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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Coronation Street has worked on Will and Megan’s grooming storyline with support from Barnardo’s. Support and information is available via the charity’s website.