All is about to change on Coronation Street, although nobody knows how far the ripples will extend. The exit of one legendary resident has the potential to rock the very foundations of a much-adored family setup.
Coronation Street’s Gareth Pierce, who plays Todd Grimshaw, has broken his silence over the impending departure of Sue Cleaver, who plays his on-screen mother, Eileen Grimshaw. As Eileen‘s last scenes will be screened later this spring, Gareth revealed that Eileen’s departure could unleash an older, craftier version of Todd.
Gareth Pierce Speaks Out on Todd‘s Life Without Eileen
The actor wondered how his character would change without his mother’s supervision. He stated that it could be “an interesting experiment” to determine if Todd’s devilish qualities would emerge more strongly once that anchor was removed. Gareth referred to Todd as a complex character-something that he himself enjoys about portraying him.
He revealed that in his past acting roles, he had to limit himself to one side of his talent, either comedy or performing edgier characters. With Todd, though, he says he gets to tap into everything he can do. This combination of humor and darker tones, according to him, “is the great variety of Coronation Street.”
Todd has recently revealed a softer, more realistic side-opting to put value into friendships and love more truthfully. But Gareth believes the manipulative side hasn‘t gone away entirely. He explained that while Todd may no longer be a full-scale villain by today’s standards, the ability to manipulate and scheme is still very much a part of him.
Coronation Street: Eileen‘s Exit Tied to Heartbreaking Family Twist
Eileen’s departure is influenced by the arrival of a known figure: her sister, Julie Carp. Played by Katy Cavanagh, Julie returned to the story with a devastating diagnosis- she has terminal cancer. This personal storyline is predicted to be one of the big drivers in Eileen’s departure.
Gareth has praised Katy‘s comeback. He said she was a “wonderful and generous actress“ who fell back into the role like a glove. He said it all fell into place naturally, while Katy hadn’t worked with him or Tony Maudsley previously. The chemistry between Julie and Todd was particularly natural, considering the original actor who played Todd was different. He noted that Todd has a special relationship with Julie-something softer and emotionally more accessible than what he has with his mother.
As much as the love between Todd and Eileen is palpable, Gareth attributed that it‘s usually hidden under layers of saucy snark and biting repartee. He intimated that Todd is quite the product of his mother’s personality; thus, their conflicts are all the more fierce.
As Eileen exits, viewers wonder: Will Todd Grimshaw revert to his plotting ways without his mum’s hard-headedness and sharp tongue to keep him in check? Or choose a different route? Only the upcoming Coronation Street spoilers can reveal. Until then, stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more soap updates.
