Friday’s Unmissable episode revealing Joel’s final chapter will be on ITV1 at 8pm followed by Coronation Street Live: Killer on the Cobbles on ITVX at 9pm.
Paddy Bever, who plays troubled Max, shares how he felt about stepping into the spotlight in this gripping Coronation Street storyline. ‘I really enjoyed it,’ he says. ‘It was terrifying because everyone else had done so much amazing work leading up to it, and I kind of come in at the end for these final scenes. It was nerve-racking trying to match the intensity, but I hope I did it justice!’
Paddy has known for a while that Max would face the charge for Joel’s murder. ‘I found out back in spring,’ he reveals. ‘I was so excited because it felt right for Max’s character. He’s someone who would do anything for the people he loves, especially Lauren.’
The secrecy around this storyline kept Paddy on his toes, especially with fans bombarding him with theories. ‘People kept asking me on Instagram, like, “Who killed Joel?” and “We know it was you!” A lot of them thought Joel might have faked his own death, so it’s good to finally let the truth out,’ he laughs. Paddy explains that the story’s complexity keeps the blame from resting on any one character. ‘It’s not a simple case of cold-blooded murder. So many people had a hand in it, and everyone’s got something to hide.’
Filming the flashbacks was a unique challenge, with Paddy often unsure of what he could reveal. ‘We filmed all the scenes at once with Duncan Foster directing, which helped us keep things tight. But for my flashback, I didn’t even know if I had the murder weapon in my hands, which made it even more interesting for me!’
Max’s devotion to Lauren plays a central role in his actions. ‘Lauren reminds Max of his mum, Kylie, and they share a lot of trauma,’ Paddy explains. ‘They both went through that radicalisation, and Max sees Lauren as his family. She’s the mother of Frankie, who he sees like a son, so Max wants to give Frankie the family stability he never had. It’s why he’s so protective of Lauren – she’s his first love, and she means everything to him.’
In a desperate bid to protect Lauren and Frankie, Max decides to turn himself in. ‘He’s willing to lose everything for them,’ Paddy says. ‘For Max, Frankie’s like him, in the way he was with David. Max wants to keep them together, to give Frankie the life he wished he had. It’s an act of love and sacrifice.’
Max’s final choice to stay rather than flee with Lauren was driven by a poignant moment. ‘Lauren said she’ll never get her happy ending, and that’s when Max decided she would. He knew instantly what he had to do to protect her.’
Friday’s episode promises to finally show what really happened on the night of Joel’s death, with the full truth laid bare. ‘You’ll see it all from beginning to end,’ Paddy hints. ‘And it’s Coronation Street, so expect some twists along the way.’
After the episode, Paddy will join Jack P Shepherd in a live ITVX special at 9 pm. ‘We’ll have a bit of fun, so make sure you tune in!’
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