Coronation Street star Gareth Pierce has reflected on Todd Grimshaw and Theo Silverton’s “unprecedented” new storyline.
Since becoming romantically involved earlier this year, Todd and Theo’s relationship recently took a dark turn after Theo began asserting control over his partner.
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Ahead of next week’s episodes, which will see a jealous Theo threatening Billy Mayhew, Pierce noted that his character Todd will soon realise that he’s in an abusive relationship.
“Coercive control and domestic abuse storylines have been played before in Corrie and in other soaps,” the actor said. “But I think it’s fairly unprecedented that we’ve had this level of focus on an abusive same sex relationship.”
“The themes and dynamics within are universal,” he continued. “But we want to be sure that we’re truthfully depicting the way that the abuse can be slightly different or unique within the same sex relationship as well.”
Asked whether Todd already recognises that Theo is abusive, Pierce replied: “There may still be a way that he can somehow convince himself that this is an exception rather than the norm of the relationship. It’ll probably dawn on him that that is what the relationship is, an abusive relationship, sooner than he finds the strength to end it.”
Explaining that he feels “a responsibility with an issue-led storyline”, Pierce said that Coronation Street has been working with several charities, including Stonewall and Gallop, on Todd’s storylines.
“One of the big things that’s been flagged is the way that it can be very difficult to convince the authorities that that is the dynamic that is actually happening,” he revealed.
“There are also the social pressures that might make two men feel that you’re a bloke, you should be able to sort it out yourself. Those quite narrow and archaic views of masculinity still sometimes pop up around a relationship dynamic like this.
“That’s obviously not to say that it’s not equally difficult for women to convince the authorities that they’re in an abusive relationship with a man. It can be very difficult to access support, whether it’s a heterosexual or a same sex relationship.”
In a previous interview with The Mirror, Pierce confirmed that Theo’s behaviour will escalate.
“Theo’s behaviour is becoming increasingly controlling, and there’s a moment coming up where he becomes physically abusive for the first time. There’s a line that has definitely been crossed; it will be hard to watch,” he said.
“Further down the road, there’s financial control. It’s very frustrating for the audience… [They’re] a little further ahead than Todd in recognising what’s going on.”
