Coronation Street newcomer Beth Nixon has provided significant insight into the upcoming developments for her character Megan Walsh, who is currently grooming teenager Will Driscoll in the long-running ITV soap. The storyline, which has been unfolding since Megan's arrival in November last year, portrays the sports coach's manipulative relationship with sixteen-year-old Will, who remains unaware that he's being abused.
Research and Responsibility
Beth Nixon, who plays the predatory Megan Walsh, has spoken extensively about the careful preparation required for such a sensitive storyline. The twenty-five-year-old actress emphasised her determination to 'serve the people who have been through it' during a recent interview with BBC Radio York.
'I have to do it justice to serve the people who have been through it,' Beth explained. 'There's been a rise in cases, and a few in Manchester, so you just have to try and handle it with as much care as you possibly can.'
Prior to filming, Beth conducted substantial research to ensure her portrayal accurately reflected the realities of grooming situations, recognising the importance of handling such material with appropriate sensitivity and respect for survivors.
Revelation and Consequences
Beth has confirmed that Will Driscoll, played by Lucas Hodgson-Wale, will eventually reach a crucial turning point in the narrative. The character will come to understand that he 'is a victim' and that what he believed to be a romantic relationship was actually manipulation and abuse.
The actress also revealed that Megan 'will get her comeuppance,' suggesting that the storyline will address accountability for her predatory behaviour towards the vulnerable teenager.
Expert Perspective on Grooming Portrayal
Luneta Tajblova, a senior practitioner at Barnardo's TIGER service, has praised Coronation Street's approach to this challenging subject matter. She highlighted how grooming can be particularly insidious because victims often fail to recognise their own exploitation.
'That's what makes grooming so dangerous and so insidious,' Luneta noted. 'Sometimes it might be that they've been groomed in the past and they're out of that situation, but still don't quite realise that that's what's happened.'
The expert also addressed important misconceptions about grooming, pointing out that while most perpetrators are male, female groomers may be under-reported. She emphasised the importance of challenging stereotypical assumptions about how victims and perpetrators appear.
'If we think that a victim looks a particular way and a perpetrator looks a particular way, we actually miss the vast majority of people affected,' Luneta explained.
Regarding the soap's handling of the storyline, she added: 'I think the writers have done a really good job and wanted to ensure the storyline is just right, so it will hopefully raise a lot of awareness.'
Recent Developments and Escalating Tension
The storyline has recently taken a dramatic turn as Sam Blakeman, played by Jude Riordan, has grown suspicious about Megan's relationship with Will. After discovering inconsistencies in Megan's explanations about clothing found in her flat, Sam confronted Will directly about whether he was having a sexual relationship with his coach.
Sam attempted to intervene as a concerned friend, reminding Will that Megan's actions were illegal and expressing his willingness to report the situation to another teacher. However, Will reacted with horror and begged Sam not to tell anyone, demonstrating the powerful hold Megan maintains over him.
When Will informed Megan about Sam's suspicions, she responded nervously, mentioning that they had covered their tracks 'unless they check the CCTV at various hotels in Bury and Rochdale.' This chilling admission revealed the extent of their secret encounters and Megan's awareness of their illicit nature.
Megan's Manipulation Intensifies
Megan subsequently confronted Sam at Speed Daal, warning him that if anyone took his allegations seriously, 'it wouldn't be funny.' Her normally pleasant demeanour completely vanished as she delivered this threatening message, muttering 'A star for Blakeman' with clear sarcasm and menace.
Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks has indicated that the situation will deteriorate further for Sam, revealing: 'We will see the lengths that Megan will go to manipulate Sam into keeping quiet. It'll be massively detrimental to Sam's wellbeing.'
This suggests that Megan's predatory behaviour will extend beyond her abuse of Will as she attempts to silence anyone who threatens to expose her actions, creating additional victims in the process.
The storyline continues to develop with careful attention to its sensitive subject matter, aiming to both entertain and educate viewers about the realities of grooming while providing appropriate support resources for those affected by similar situations.
