Mason’s recent efforts to stay on the straight and narrow have fans wondering if he’s truly turned over a new leaf. ‘I definitely think Mason has changed,’ says Luca Toolan, who plays the troubled character. ‘He’s been through so much rubbish—jail, then jail again for something he didn’t do. His brothers torment him, yet he’s still trying to turn his life around. He could take the easy way out and join his brothers, but he’s fighting against it. That shows where his head’s at; he wants better for himself.’
A key influence on Mason has been Stu, who first offered him a stable home. ‘Stu was the first person to show him any real TLC. He gave Mason a place to stay, second chances, and important life lessons. A lot of Mason’s change is down to Stu’s influence.’
Now, with Stu gone, Tim has stepped in as Mason’s father figure. ‘Joe and Sally are a force to be reckoned with,’ Luca shares about working with Joe Duttine and Sally Dynevor. ‘Joe’s as dry as it gets, just hilarious on set, and Sally’s lovely and brings great energy. For Mason, it’s huge. He’s never had a stable parent couple before.’
Mason’s recent apology to Liam was also genuine, though complex. ‘I think he meant it, but it was partly out of fear and partly out of remorse. He’s struggling with guilt and still in a bit of denial, but deep down he knows he was wrong.’
The arrival of Mason’s brothers, Logan and Matty, has only added more drama. ‘It’s been mint having two brothers on the show,’ Luca says. ‘They’re crazy and a lot of fun off-screen. There’s trust there, like with Charlie and Liam, that lets us really push the scenes.’
But when it comes to his brothers, Mason might be in real danger. ‘He should be running for the hills! Those two are nutters,’ Luca jokes.
Mason’s relationship with Betsy is just as complicated. ‘Betsy is a funny one. One day they’re all lovey-dovey, the next they’re fighting. But he really loves her. Mason’s not the type to give time to someone he doesn’t care about.’
When Betsy suggests Mason lie to his brothers and blame Tim, Luca insists she has good intentions. ‘She’s not a bad influence. She just wants to protect him. If Tim takes the blame, it might keep Mason safe, and that’s all Betsy wants.’
If Logan and Matty turn their aggression toward Tim for ‘grassing’, Mason’s guilt will be hard to avoid. ‘Like Stu, Tim has taken him under his wing—even sneaks him in while Sally’s at Pilates! Mason would feel entirely responsible if anything happened to Tim.’
With Mason now a suspect in Joel’s murder, his loyalties are being put to the test. If Logan and Matty target Betsy next, it could push Mason to his breaking point. ‘That would be a turning point for Mason. He can take whatever they throw at him, but if they go after someone vulnerable, someone he cares about, he’ll want to fight back.’
When ‘grass’ is spray-painted on Tim and Sally’s door, Mason is terrified he might lose his new life again. ‘Mason’s absolutely petrified. He got kicked out of Stu and Yasmeen’s over similar trouble, so he understands it. His brothers are trying everything to ruin his chances, but hopefully, it won’t come to that.’
With threats from all sides, is Mason’s path to redemption slipping away, or can he finally break free from his brothers’ dark influence? Stay tuned!
Coronation Street airs these scenes from Monday 18th November on ITV1
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