GROUND BREAKING Coronation Street to air whole episode shot on police bodycam and doorbell cameras as soap shares first look at special
CORONATION Street has share a first look promo of a groundbreaking new episode focused on Todd and Theo’s disturbing relationship.
The single storyline episode will air on December 15 and show police respond to reports of a domestic incident at Todd (Gareth Pierce) and Theo’s (James Cartwright) house.
Corrie viewers will see how Theo’s abuse of Todd is intensifying until police are called to their house and the entire episode will be shown through the point of view of non-TV cameras.
Viewers will watch the episode unfold through cameras such as Todd’s hidden camera, CCTV, dashcam footage, video doorbell and police bodycams.
The episode will be shown as a series of flashbacks to reveal what happened inside the flat.
Corrie director, Matt Hilton, was asked to direct the landmark episode which he described as a “bold idea.”
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“As a fan of the true crime genre I could see how it could work if we did it right, something that would be intriguing for the viewer and make them feel uncomfortable in watching it all take place,” he said.
Todd actor, Gareth said making the episode was “an exciting collaborative adventure for all departments.”
“I think I anticipated it might feel like we were watching Corrie characters through a haze, a slight step further back from the action, but it actually has the opposite effect where it feels like it brings us closer, like we’re eavesdropping on our characters and seeing something we shouldn’t,” he said.
Gareth said the episode was “very effective and disorientating.”
To ensure the domestic abuse storyline was accurate, Corrie writers and producers worked with charities such as the LGBTQ+ rights group, Stonewall, and LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity, Galop.
James, who plays Theo said: “Domestic violence is real for a lot of people, it often escalates around Christmas, so there’s a real level of respect on the set.
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“You’ve got to tread that line between drama, storytelling and authenticity.”
James added: “It will be very challenging to watch for anybody who’s been through it, or is going through something similar, but we also have to be careful not to rush it or you run the risk of doing a disservice to people who’ve been through it.”
The ITV soap has regularly tackled serious issues and in 2020 Corrie’s stars filmed an emotional video urging victims of domestic abuse to call 999 during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The video campaign, released in conjunction with Women’s Aid, featured some of Corrie’s popular stars explaining how to make a ‘silent call’ on the phone.
Shelley King, who plays Yasmeen, Sair Khan, Sally Dynevor, Sally Carman and past-favourite Julie Hesmondhalgh, explained that by calling 999 and pressing 55, it would let the operator know it’s an emergency and the police are needed.