Coronation Streets airs at 8pm on ITV1
Coronation Street fans were left stunned on Monday as Cassie shocked viewers by lacing Ken’s tea with crushed tablets. In Wednesday night’s episode, the drama steps up a notch when Ken is rushed to hospital. Is this the moment Cassie is exposed, and why is she drugging the man she claims to care for?
Claire Sweeney, who plays Cassie, has spoken out about the shocking twist and her fears about the public reaction to targeting a soap icon.
‘I was shocked,’ says Claire. ‘It’s Ken Barlow, he’s a national treasure. I’m going to be Public Enemy No. 1! I think viewers are going to hate her. The funny thing is, they’d just started to warm to her – and then this happens.’
The storyline took Claire by surprise when it was first mentioned. ‘I was talking to the producer, and they just casually dropped it in. I went: “What? Did I hear that right?” Then I thought, “what fun!” Working with Bill Roache is an absolute dream – I love it.’
For Cassie, the twisted act isn’t about malice but desperation. ‘She doesn’t want to hurt him – she just wants him to need her,’ Claire explains. When Ken tells Cassie he can’t afford to keep her on, her sense of abandonment drives her to desperate measures.
‘She adores Ken. There’s an anger and hurt there, and an element of Munchausen’s – she wants him to depend on her. When he offers her an extra pound an hour to take the job back, it’s win-win for her. She even goes and gets her nails done to celebrate!’
‘Tracy orders Cassie to sling her hook and says she’ll look after Ken herself. Tracy’s territorial, especially with another strong woman in the house. Kate Ford and I have had some brilliant slanging matches – it’s been great fun! She feels terrible when he’s taken to hospital – she never wanted to harm him,’ Claire says. ‘She regrets using the blood thinners and tries antihistamines instead, thinking they’re less harmful and harder to detect. But Cassie will go to any lengths to keep this going.’
Despite her actions, Cassie has complex feelings for Ken. ‘She’s conflicted – she likes Ken. He’s kind to her, teaches her new things, and doesn’t judge her. He’s the first person to respect her, and she’s never had that before. There’s genuine affection between them.’
Cassie’s actions have left fans on edge. Claire admits she’s wondered about the impact on her character’s future. ‘When you hear “poisoned Ken Barlow,” there’s genuine horror. It does cross your mind – is this the end? But if it is, I’d leave feeling blessed. I’ve had big scenes with Bill Roache, snogged Steve McDonald, and had a catfight with Tracy. What more could I want?’
Will Cassie’s secret come out, and if so, how will Tracy and Steve react? ‘They’d be horrified, as will the public,’ Claire laughs. ‘I’d be fuming if I was watching this as a fan. But one thing’s for sure – it’s not boring!’
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