Sarah’s release in Corrie doesn’t mean this nightmare is over as Gary has found himself adjusting to a new reality – 8 months behind bars.
In scenes that aired tonight, (Tuesday 20 October), Gary was sent to prison for perverting the course of justice in connection with the murder of Theo Silverton (James Cartwright).
Meanwhile, a furious Maria (Samia Longchambon) took matters into her own hands in a dramatic Bistro showdown, shoving a Manchester tart into Sarah’s face. When Bethany (Lucy Fallon) and Todd (Gareth Pierce) intervened, Maria pushed them aside, knocking Bethany to the floor and injuring her wrist.
Later, an emotional phone call saw Gary urge Maria to stay strong for their family, leaving Maria vowing to stand by her husband. But with Gary back behind bars, can he quietly serve his eight months, or is his dark past about to resurface?
‘It’s a tricky one’, reveals Mikey North who plays the incarcerated Gary, Obviously he thinks that she didn’t deserve to go down so he’s probably quite relieved on that front, but he’s having to foot the blame for it. But I guess in the grand scheme of things, eight months, it could have been a lot worse! And she hasn’t chucked him under the bus, so he has to be a little bit grateful for that.
As for any resentment towards Sarah over the course of events that have played out: I’ think it’s very difficult for Gary to have any resentment towards Sarah given everything they’ve gone through.
‘They’ve been through an awful lot together, and she’s probably covered up things for him in the past. So I think it’s very difficult for him to feel any animosity towards her, as much as he might have to show it for Maria’s sake.
Away from the seemingly never ending trouble that Gary faces it seems the lighter side of things are just as important: ‘I like it when they have scenes that are a bit more tactile and not just about drama. We did a scene talking about the Karate Kid film in the bistro, and I just love things like that, where it’s just about nothing and it’s just about Gary and Maria.
There was another one recently where Gary’s about to get sent down and she asks him what breed of dog he’d be. I love scenes like that where nothing happens, but it’s just about the dialogue and dynamic. It feels real.’
Gary’s also got to deal with new company when he finds himself with a cellmate, Jonesy.
‘It’s prison, so it’s never going to be an easy ride… Jonesy is a great character, and Carl Rice plays him brilliantly. There’s going to be lots coming up with Gary having to protect himself inside, so there’s so much going on there. Jonesy is definitely another little Corrie villain who’s popped up.
There is also the little matter of Ross…
‘Gary finds it really strange and doesn’t quite know what’s going on. Ross’s behaviour and some of the things he says are quite odd. Gary doesn’t want to repel against him too much too quickly because he thinks Ross might look after him in there, but Gary is definitely skeptical and taken aback.
While Gary is away Kirk moves in and Mikey has nothing but praise for his young co-star Bobby.
‘It’s a great shout to have Kirk in there. Gary and Kirk make such an interesting pair because they could not be more different. Also, young Jake has a lot coming up as well. He’s absolutely fantastic – a little Jack P. Shepherd from when he was younger – so I’m glad he’s holding down the fort while Gary’s away.’
Catch up on ITVX, and for classic visits to Corrie, these episodes air weekdays on ITV3 as well as on YouTube. Corrie airs at 8.30pm on ITV1