Coronation Street‘s Cait Fitton has opened up on the arrival of Joel Deering’s parents Gus and Anthea in Weatherfield.
Cait’s character Lauren Bolton is currently raising her and Joel’s son Frankie in a prison’s mother and baby unit after being held on remand for Joel’s murder.
Meanwhile, Joel’s parents Gus and Anthea arrived on the cobbles to invite Dee-Dee Bailey to a memorial service for Joel’s birthday, running into Max Turner while he pushed Frankie in his pram.
After learning Frankie is their grandson, Gus and Anthea contact their solicitor to learn where they stand regarding access.
After Max allows the couple to spend time with the baby, they disappear, leaving everyone around them suspicious of their motives – especially when Lauren later receives news that bruises have been found on Frankie’s body.
Cait now speaks about Lauren’s reaction to Joel’s parents’ arrival, revealing that her character “hates” them.
“I don’t think anyone is born evil or a killer so I think Lauren blames Joel’s parents,” she said.
“To Gus and Anthea, Joel was that little boy who can do no wrong in their eyes and that really frustrates Lauren because they can’t see the monster they have created.
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“That’s where I think Joel and Lauren are quite similar, because they both haven’t had great models to look up to in life.
“For Gus, let’s just say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree because they are so similar in their mannerisms and will look down on people. Gus is in law too, so he knows how to work it.”
Cait added that Lauren finds being around Gus “really triggering” as “all she can see is Joel”.
“Both Gus and Anthea are a massive threat to Lauren because now that Joel isn’t around, they will do anything in their power to bring Lauren down,” she continues.
She added that the storyline will show “another side to Lauren” as her natural instincts to protect the baby place her “in full mother mode as well as survival mode… not just for herself anymore, but her son”.
Later scenes will see Lauren finding out that Frankie has bruising on his body, with Cait sharing that Lauren believes Gus and Anthea are responsible.
“Instantly, Lauren thinks Gus and Anthea have done something to set her up,” she said.
“She can’t even think rationally because she just thinks something sinister has happened so Lauren will lose Frankie forever.
“Lauren’s looking for someone to blame and I think Max will get the brunt of it, because he should never have taken his eyes off of Frankie for even a second when Gus and Anthea were visiting him.”
