Cassie Plummer, portrayed by actress Claire Sweeney, is about to make a dangerous decision on Coronation Street that could cost her everything.

After struggling with her own personal demons and making a fresh start in Weatherfield, Cassie risks losing it all when she drugs Ken Barlow in a desperate attempt to steal money from him.

Cassie, who first appeared in Coronation Street as Tyrone Dobbs’ (Alan Halsall) estranged mother, has slowly ingrained herself into the lives of the Barlow family.

Initially hired by Ken Barlow (William Roache) as his carer,

Cassie had begun to form bonds with not only Ken but the wider Barlow family, especially with his daughter, Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford).

However, in recent weeks, Cassie’s situation has become increasingly unstable,

pushing her into a position where she feels desperate enough to betray the very people who have shown her kindness.

In a shocking turn of events, Cassie spikes Ken’s drink with an antihistamine and steals money from him. While Cassie’s actions are motivated by a need to keep her life afloat, actress Claire Sweeney insists that they aren’t rooted in malice. “She’s just gone into survival mode,” Claire explains. “She hates herself for it. She absolutely adores him and nobody’s ever shown her kindness like he has.”

However, Cassie’s reasons for her actions may not be enough to protect her from the fallout. As her betrayal unfolds, it becomes clear that Cassie’s theft could have serious legal and emotional consequences. While she may feel remorse for her actions, her desperation is putting her at odds with the very people who care about her, and that could ultimately be her undoing.

The first hint of trouble for Cassie comes from Tracy Barlow, who has long been suspicious of Cassie’s motives. “Tracy has been onto her from the beginning,” Claire reveals. Tracy, who is no stranger to underhanded tactics, sees Cassie as a rival for Ken’s affections. “In a way, Cassie’s nicked her husband, although she’s with Tommy, she’s nicked her father’s affections, and taken her place in that house.” Claire adds that Tracy is prepared to go to extreme lengths to expose Cassie and destroy her life in Weatherfield.

As Cassie’s manipulative actions come to light, viewers will see the stakes grow even higher for her. “There are going to be consequences for her actions, but I think the stakes are higher, because she was so happy with the Barlows,” Claire hints. Cassie has slowly built a life in Weatherfield, surrounding herself with friends, a lover, and a sense of community that she could lose if her crimes are discovered. The emotional toll on Cassie will be immense, and Claire teases that this will be a pivotal moment for the character. “You’re really going to see what she’s got to lose,” she explains.

Will Cassie face legal consequences for her actions? Claire suggests that this may be a very real possibility. “Potentially! It’s legal, emotional, everything.” Cassie’s actions have put her at odds with the law, and viewers will have to wait and see if the Barlow family, or even the authorities, decide to take action against her.

Outside of her work on Coronation Street, Claire Sweeney also takes time to focus on her personal life. As a mother to her 10-year-old son, Jaxon, Claire has learned to balance her busy career with family life. “When you’re busy, you’re busy,” Claire shares, acknowledging the demands of filming for the soap. “But then it’s someone else’s turn on the roundabout and you get a bit of time out.” Claire recently returned from a family holiday over the New Year, cherishing her time with Jaxon. “Jaxon is understanding,” she says. “As soon as he was born, I became a working mum. A single working mum. And he understands that Mum has got to work.”

As Cassie’s storyline unfolds, viewers will watch her struggle with her conscience as the consequences of her actions loom large. While Cassie may have once felt accepted and loved by the Barlow family, her recent betrayal may result in her being alienated from them — and potentially facing legal repercussions for her crime. The coming weeks on Coronation Street are set to see a dramatic turn for Cassie, and Claire Sweeney promises that the character’s downfall will be emotional and gripping.