Corrie airs at 8.30pm on ITV1
This is your first official interview since joining the cast. How has the transition to Coronation Street been for you?
Honestly, it’s been brilliant. Everyone is so lovely and the energy is just great. I’m absolutely loving every minute of it.
Can you take us through the process of how you actually landed the role?
My agent originally sent in a self-tape for the role of Theo’s son – Miles. I did the tape but wasn’t successful. A couple of months later, I got another request for Corrie and thought, “Okay, here we go again!” I read the script for Will and sent that tape off.
The funny thing is, I went on holiday to the Dominican Republic literally the day after my screen test. I was sitting by the pool on holiday when my agent called to say I’d got the part. It turned the whole holiday into one long celebration!
Who was the first person you shared the news with?
My family was right there with me, but I actually kept it to myself for about an hour! I saw my phone ringing and ran up to my room to take the call. I just sat there alone for a bit, soaking it in. When I finally went back down, I tried to play it cool – I told them the agent just gave me some “tips” for next time. My mum saw right through me, though. She got a bit teary, and I even saw my dad smile, which is a rare sight!
Joining the show by moving into the Rovers is iconic! How did you feel about that?
It was a lot to take in. In all honesty, I actually never watched the show, but everyone knows the Rovers Return. When I read that Will was moving into the pub, I knew it was going to be a massive deal. Seeing the studio set versus the lot outside was surreal; I’d seen pictures of those pigeons and that sign my whole life, and suddenly I’m standing right there.
Do you watch the episodes now that you’re on screen?
Every day! It’s become a ritual with my mum. Since we film out of order, it’s actually really helpful for me to see how the storylines connect. It’s great to see the final product – the editing, the sound – and see all that hard work come to fruition.
This is a really heavy storyline. How did you approach the complex relationship between Will and Megan?
I spent a lot of time thinking about the power dynamic. Megan is older, she’s his coach and his teacher. To play that, I had to create two versions of Will: the “natural” Will he is with Megan, and the “front” he puts on for his family.
As the story progresses and they start to distance themselves, those two versions are going to have to merge, which is going to be a real challenge to play. Will is putting on a massive front, but underneath it all, he’s still just a kid.
Does Will realise he’s being manipulated, or does he see it as a normal relationship?
In Will’s mind, he’s not a victim. He thinks a victim is someone who has suffered “intense hardship” and since he thinks he’s enjoying this, he doesn’t see the harm. He even tells people, “I’m not a victim.” He’s naive to the fact that Megan is scheming and taking charge of everything. He’s just tagging along, not realising how much of a toll it’s taking on his mental health or his family.
Things are heating up this week as Leanne grows suspicious. Is Will prepared for the fallout?
It’s getting dangerous. Leanne is essentially family, so he has to be on the ball, but Will isn’t always the most cautious – he’s taken risks with PDA and kissing in cars. He doesn’t comprehend the full gravity of the situation.
How do you think he will feel when Ben and Eva discover what’s been happening?
When it eventually blows up, I think he’ll be deeply ashamed – not necessarily for the relationship itself, but for the web of lies he’s told his family and Ollie.
Do you think he will try to protect Megan when the evidence starts to mount?
I think so. At first, he’ll definitely jump to her defense. It will take him a long time to accept the idea that it wasn’t a “mutual” thing and that he was actually being manipulated.
Ultimately, what do you hope the audience takes away from this story?
Awareness. This kind of inappropriate, underage relationship – especially the dynamic of an older woman and a younger guy – isn’t talked about as often as it should be. These issues are happening in the real world. We want to show that no matter the gender or the dynamic, it is never acceptable. Bringing light to that is the most important part of this job.
Catch up on ITVX, and for classic visits to Corrie, these episodes air weekdays on ITV3 as well as on YouTube.