Yahoo Finance Coronation Street star Maximus Evans warns Corey could kill again
Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street villain Corey Brent considers claiming another victim this week as the ITV show's stunt drama continues.
Super Soap Week kicked off with high-stakes scenes on Monday night, as Abi Franklin threatened Corey with a gun while trying to avenge the murder of her son Seb.
After the ground gave way beneath them thanks to that pesky sinkhole, Corey and Abi are now trapped together in an underground sewer. Could Corey take this opportunity to strike again?
Maximus Evans, who plays Corey, recently caught up with Digital Spy and other media to chat about the storyline.
Soap villains usually have a shelf life, so how did you feel about Corey being found not guilty at his recent trial?
"When I found out, I was really happy about it. It was the right choice that the writers made. It adds an extra layer to the storyline, providing character development for Corey but also for other characters like Kelly.
"Kelly going down for the murder, after we know she didn't have a heavy involvement like Corey did, adds sympathy from the audience and a character like Kelly needs that because she's currently on a redemption arc."
What was the reaction from fans?
"I tend not to look at social media after the big episodes as it can go either way. I think the majority are obviously quite annoyed that Corey has got away with it – at this point anyway – but there's that acknowledgement that it was the right call.
"When I'm out and about on the streets of Manchester, everybody only has nice things to say. No-one is saying anything horrible. I was expecting that I'd get a bit of bother, but it's not happened and I don't think it will."
How did you feel when you found out that you'd be part of the big stunt week?
"I was really excited. Any actor is going to be excited that it's not going to be a usual day at work, and because of who I was doing the scenes with, it just added that extra layer of excitement.
"The thought of it and then doing it was just two completely different things. When we were there in the elements and in the environment, it made it easier for us. As actors, that's what you want."
How did the filming go?
"There were a couple of night shoots. On a night shoot, you show up and you know it's going to be a long night and that's for the crew as well. Everybody gives 110% and we absolutely smashed through it and in the end got the best result. I was super excited and I can't wait for people to see it."
What was your favourite part of filming the stunt?
"Working with Sally Carman [who plays Abi]. I think Sally is without a doubt one of the best actors that we have on the show, and it's the same with David Neilson [who plays Roy]. So I was working with two actors I admired deeply, even before this storyline kicked off.
"To be involved in such a big scale production as Corrie is great, but then when you're there and working with the likes of Sally, it makes my day so much easier and nicer because we do get on quite well, as much as what's on the screen doesn't show it!"
The spoiler pictures show Corey threatening Abi with the gun. Would he kill again?
"I always thought Seb's death was an accidental killing, in the sense that Corey's emotions completely took over him and ultimately caused a lot of damage and a death.
"I never saw him as a murderer. I saw him as this small vulnerable young lad that has got himself in a situation which he's trying to do anything he can to get out of.
"But at the same time, as we saw in the court, Corey is willing to do anything. If the opportunity is there and he knows it could work in his favour, without a doubt it could happen. Never say never."
Do you think Corey should get what's coming to him?
"I think he should, because we've seen the killing now and how brutal it was. When we were filming those scenes, I was stopping myself and saying to Harry [Visinoni, who played Seb]: 'This is crazy'. I didn't realise how far they wanted to take it.
"So when those episodes came out, I was with everyone else, I wanted to see the guy behind bars. It's about when that happens and if it happens. He definitely does deserve it, without a doubt."
How do you get into Corey's mindset to play these intense scenes?
"It's just about staying relaxed. They are heavy scenes, but it's about having a good time with the actors and the crew and everyone else. We're so lucky and fortunate to be in the position that we're in, so I have to constantly remind myself of that.
"Before a take, I'm getting myself in that headspace of the marks I'm hitting and my motivation and my objective for the scene.
"Beforehand, I'm not some method actor who sits in his dressing room in sombre silence. I like to really be involved in the process with everyone. You can't do that without having a bit of fun."
Were yourself and Sally friends again as soon as the cameras stop rolling?
"It takes us a couple of seconds to get out of it!
"It's funny, because I was talking to Mollie Gallagher (Nina) a couple of weeks ago and she says my face is obviously Corey's face, so it's hard!
"I can see why it's hard for them to switch off from looking at me as Corey. But as soon as the cameras have stopped rolling, and especially if we know we're done with a scene, then we're back to having a good laugh."
How do you relax and stop yourself from taking the storyline home with you?
"I do like to leave it all at work. Obviously if I have lines to learn then I'm learning them, but I do like to have that separation. I love my friends and family so I really love the time I spend with them.
"It's work like every other job, at the end of the day you just want to go to the pub and have a pint and that's what I do. It's those moments with friends which allow me to switch off."
Was filming the stunt exactly what you'd expected it would be?
"Not at all! The writers are brilliant, but reading the scripts, I was finding it hard to have that vision of what they wanted to do with it. But then when I got there and I saw the elements we were in, it was so easy to slip into it.
"I never expected it to be as harsh as it was. It is a very harsh environment and it was cold. It was a long week of being cold but it was the best week I've had since I've been here. It was amazing."
Will you be watching the big episodes with anyone?
"I do whenever there are the big episodes. For the attack back in May, I had a curry with my family. Then we had the flashback episodes and I was in my flat in Manchester with a couple of mates for those ones.
"For these latest episodes, I have to say they're definitely the ones that I'm proud of the most. I quite like the idea of being on my own and watching them and being able to disconnect from it so much that I'm not looking at it as me, but just enjoying the whole production."
Are your family fans of the show?
"Yeah, they love it. For years and years and years, like any northern actor, every Christmas your granddad's asking you when you're going to be on Corrie. I'm now wondering what's the next question!
"I loved Corrie as a kid, it's monumental for Manchester, and it's huge for northerners as we all know the characters so well. We do watch it. My mum struggles to sit down at 7.30pm to watch it. She's a very active woman, but she watches it on catch up."
Can you describe the stunt drama in three words?
"Unexpected, shocking and brutal."
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
Anyone who has witnessed or experienced a hate crime is urged to call the police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit the True Vision website. In an emergency, always dial 999.
Coronation Street has worked on the current storyline alongside The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which was set up to challenge prejudices and intolerance towards people from alternative subcultures, and extend UK hate crime legislation, following the murder of Sophie Lancaster in 2007.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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