In the dramatic world of Coronation Street, the arrival of the Driscoll family has brought intense storylines to the cobbles, particularly through the character of Will Driscoll, played by Lucas Hodgson-Wale. Viewers quickly learned that Will is being groomed and abused by his paedophile sports coach, Megan Walsh, portrayed by Beth Nixon. This disturbing plot has captivated and unsettled audiences, raising questions about the actors behind these challenging roles.
The Troubled Teen and His Predator
The Driscoll family's introduction to Weatherfield marked a significant shift for the iconic Rover's Return pub. Matriarch Maggie (Pauline McLynn), father Ben (Aaron McCusker), Ollie (Raphael Akuwudike), Eva (Catherine Tyldesley), and Susie Price (Aurora Bradshaw) formed a blended clan taking over the establishment. Will was the last to arrive, initially reluctant to leave Hull, with his family believing he didn't want to abandon his friends. The truth, however, was far more sinister.
Under the control of abuser Megan, separation from her seemed unbearable for the young character. When Megan attempted to end their relationship, Will threatened to return to Hull alone to continue training with her, prompting grandmother Maggie to arrange for Megan's relocation to Weatherfield. Unwittingly, Maggie's solution has ensured Megan maintains access to Will, allowing her abuse to continue unchecked.
A Web of Deception and Danger
Fans have watched with growing concern as Megan perpetuates her illegal sexual relationship with Will while simultaneously forming a romantic connection with Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard). The plot thickens with Megan's pregnancy, adding layers of complexity to an already volatile situation. Despite Will's desperate pleas for her to end things with Daniel, Megan finds herself trapped as her secrets face increasing exposure.
Daniel's intention to report Will's behaviour to school authorities and Sam Blakeman's (Jude Riordan) growing suspicions about the relationship between Will and 'Miss Walsh' create mounting tension. Initially considering termination, Megan ultimately decides to keep the baby, informing Will that he's the father. She insists they must maintain distance until they accumulate enough money to escape Weatherfield together.
The Actors Behind the Characters
While Will is depicted as 15, later 16, on screen – a portrayal that has made many viewers uncomfortable – a Coronation Street spokesperson has confirmed that actor Lucas Hodgson-Wale is actually 17 years old. This age distinction between character and performer provides important context for the sensitive storyline.
As for Megan, actress Beth Nixon brings the predatory character to life at 25 years old, with her 26th birthday approaching this year. Nixon recently revealed fascinating behind-the-scenes details about her casting journey, including that she had previously auditioned for Coronation Street twice before securing the role of Megan.
Beth Nixon's Road to Weatherfield
'I'd auditioned for Corrie twice before – as a baddie both times of course – including for the role of Lauren,' Nixon explained, referring to the character Lauren Bolton. 'Then, earlier this year, my agent sent me a casting brief and explained it was for a paedophile, which is a bit crazy to play because they're obviously not a redeemable character, so they can push it pretty far.'
The casting team had already noticed Nixon's talent after watching her performances at Manchester's Arden School of Theatre. 'The casting team had been to see me in quite a few shows that I did at my drama school in Manchester, so I was kind of on their radar,' she shared.
Nixon described her emotional reaction to learning she'd secured the part: 'I was at work when my agent called me. I was upstairs as my colleague watched the desk and, when he told me I'd got it, everybody in the clinic could hear me screaming my head off and then I cried, because it's been four years since I graduated and this is my first TV role.'
'It's been a hard time and I was really close to quitting, having a normal job and pursuing a different career, so this just came at exactly the right time and when I needed it,' she added, highlighting the challenges many actors face early in their careers.
Navigating a Difficult Role
While Nixon understands that a character like Megan inevitably has a limited shelf-life in the soap, she's embracing her time on the famous cobbles. 'Because of what the character is doing, she probably won't be in it forever, which is a shame, because I'd love to work in Corrie every day,' she admitted.
'It's such an institution, where everybody is so friendly, but I'm learning so much about how everything works and, if I go on to do other things and other dramas, I'll know exactly what I'm doing,' Nixon continued, reflecting on the valuable experience gained from working on Britain's longest-running soap opera.
Looking to the future, Nixon shared her aspirations: 'The dream for me would be to do film, but I also really love theatre and just being a working actor is all I've ever wanted, so I'd be really grateful for anything that means I'm paid for doing acting as my job.'
The revelation of the actors' real ages provides important perspective on Coronation Street's handling of sensitive subject matter, demonstrating how experienced performers bring depth to challenging storylines while maintaining appropriate boundaries between fiction and reality.
