Corrie airs at 8.30pm on ITV1
In a new interview with Corrie, Julia Goulding talks about the latest Platt troubles as Jodie leaves Shona fuming.
How is Shona feeling about having her sister around, especially with everything going on with baby Harper?
Jodie has been invaluable. She’s providing Shona with a real sense of safety and a solid grounding during what is an incredibly turbulent time. With Harper being ill, having that sisterly support is exactly what Shona needs right now.
We’ve seen Shona’s sister and dad enter the fold. What has it been like for you to explore these new family and factory dynamics after nearly ten years on the street?
It’s been brilliant! I’ve nearly been on the street for a decade, and for a long time, we didn’t know much about Shona’s history or background. To suddenly have a sister and a dad – and to have Steve Evets playing him – is incredible! I feel incredibly blessed and I’m really interested to dive deeper into that family dynamic.
How did you feel when you found out they were joining the cast?
Yes! I had a story chat with Kate Brooks, and she told me my sister would be arriving during the Corriedale, which was a huge way to kick off Shona’s backstory. The repercussions from those episodes are still ongoing. Then, finding out our dad was coming in was the icing on the cake – and again, Steve Evets was just the cherry on top.
Shona finally has a “stable” family, which is a far cry from her childhood. Do you think this newfound stability is making her blind to Jodie’s calculated behavior?
I wouldn’t necessarily say the Platt family is the most stable environment! But compared to how she grew up, it definitely is. I think it’s a bit of both. She’s so happy to have her sister back and so determined to make amends for leaving her in the past that she’s letting Jodie get away with more than she should. At this stage, she’s either genuinely unaware or just choosing not to see it.
You don’t have siblings in real life – how did you approach building that sisterly bond with Jodie?
It’s been a real pleasure. We’ve gone out socially a few times and just chatted off-set. The more you get to know someone personally, the easier it is to act like you have years of history together.
This week, Harper suffers a minor bleed. How is Shona coping with this latest setback?
It’s just one thing after another. Shona has been in fight or flight mode for a long time now. She’s highly strung, emotionally exhausted, and physically drained. Honestly, it’s only the support from David and Jodie that’s getting her through it.
David also loses his temper with the Platts this week. Does Shona see the family as a help or a hindrance right now?
There’s definitely a bit of an eye roll when it comes to the Platts involving themselves in everything, but she is genuinely grateful for Jodie. In Shona’s eyes, Jodie is the one really rallying for her.
We’ve seen some tension with David lately. Do you think the cracks are starting to show in their marriage?
I think “hairline fractures” is the best way to put it. They are both incredibly tired and getting irritated with one another, but they are still solid. However, those cracks are starting to show specifically because of Jodie’s influence. Eventually, those hairline fractures are probably going to turn into canyons.
There was a moment where Jodie was mistaken for Harper’s mum. Did that ring alarm bells for Shona?
It definitely raised a red flag, but Jodie is a very skilled manipulator and a quick liar. Shona is so emotionally on her knees that she simply doesn’t have the capacity to take on any more drama. She just brushes it off because she’s too exhausted to fight it.
Even when Shona hears Jodie claiming the operation is for “her daughter,” she seems to accept the excuse. Why is she being so forgiving?
Oh, she’s fuming initially! She’s like, “What are you playing at?” But Jodie is so good at talking her way out of things that Shona ends up believing her. It’s hard to get into that headspace sometimes because it feels so risky, but Shona just wants to trust her sister.
Finally, if Jodie’s deception is fully exposed, how would you like to see Shona react?
I’d love to see Shona kick off and bring back that “Bad Shona” energy! She’s been made a lot softer on the street lately. I want to see the hard Shona return – the one people should actually fear!
Catch up on ITVX, and for classic visits to Corrie, these episodes air weekdays on ITV3 as well as on YouTube.