Coronation Street star Gareth Pierce has opened up about Todd Grimshaw's future following the death of his abusive partner Theo Silverton. Theo, played by James Cartwright, was killed during the soap's 'Murder Week', leaving Todd as a prime suspect in the ensuing murder investigation.
A Cocktail of Emotions
Gareth Pierce, who portrays Todd, revealed that his character is experiencing a complex mix of feelings after learning of Theo's death. "It's a real cocktail of emotions," Gareth shared. "In a similar way to what you've already seen in the police station immediately after the last really bad beating. He was there to report Theo but there was still that real conflict of emotions where he's almost defending this person, even though he's at least woken up enough to realise he has to get out of the relationship in that moment. This is very similar."
He added: "Upon finding it's Theo that's died, there must be some relief, but I think there's also a great deal of shame. It had got to that stage where there's some self-blame for Todd, it must be a horrible feeling when you know something has suddenly got so much more serious and so beyond your ability to control the situation. He must also be really, really scared as well."
The Murder Investigation
After months of relentless abuse, Todd finally found the strength to leave Theo with the support of his friends. However, Theo beat him so badly that he ended up in hospital. Just as Todd was about to fly to Thailand to stay with his mother and brother, Theo broke into his flat, refusing to let him go. Now, with Theo's death ruled a murder, DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) and Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) are leading the investigation. Gareth explained Todd's perspective: "I think there's quite a mix of emotions there as well. There's some determination to find out who has done it on Todd's part, because this was still someone that he loved and had a strong connection to in spite of how dangerous and horrific the abuse had become."
He continued: "But I think Todd is very intelligent and he also knows that he is a likely suspect. So I think there's also that situation where as soon as you know that you are having to convince someone that you had nothing to do with it, then you start acting in a way that could very much read as suspicious."
Could Todd Be the Killer?
Given Todd's motive, many fans suspect he might have killed Theo. Gareth Pierce doesn't rule it out: "I think definitely our audience will have those suspicions and actually we see that Todd certainly has plenty of motive, some might even go as far as to say justification after having to remain stoic in the face of such sustained provocation. It's interesting to think is anyone capable of murder in extreme circumstances."
He added: "I think we all hope to think of it as far more black and white or good and evil, but I think it's probably often much more grey in real life. Certainly in a show like ours you get a sense that, maybe Theo really did push him that far."
Other Suspects
Todd is not the only suspect. George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley), Todd's friend and boss, was the first to learn of the abuse and has the means as an undertaker. Other friends like Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins), Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger), and Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) also had motives. Todd's adoptive daughter Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) might seek revenge after Theo left her adoptive father Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) to die in a car crash. Gary Windass (Mikey North), Theo's former best friend, threatened his life and has killed before. Carl Webster also knew about Theo's actions and tried to extort Summer.
Gareth Pierce believes any of these characters could have taken the law into their own hands: "Just as the audience will say that Todd has plenty of motive, they'll also know that lots of other people have motive as well, especially due to the way that Theo has actively isolated Todd from his closest friends and family. We've seen them start to join the dots and reconnect with Todd and try to extricate him from the relationship over these past few weeks."
He added: "So I think that those are the people that the audience will have been willing to swoop in as saviours, and they will definitely have the spotlight on them. The audience will be wondering if, rather than just save Todd from the situation, they've actually gone as far as taking the law into their own hands."
Todd's Future
As the investigation unfolds, Todd will be under scrutiny from both the police and the community. Gareth Pierce hopes to see Todd's playful side return but acknowledges the reality of overcoming such trauma: "I think, even when speaking to people just day to day when I'm out, one of the more painful aspects of the story has been witnessing Todd's spark really leaving him. It's been very effective and painful, but I think that's definitely something that the audience have said to me that they really do want to see, his playful side returning. So we'll be hoping that we get Todd back to that place eventually."
He added: "But I think, consistent with coming out of a relationship like this, it will take some time. I think that when Todd is feeling rubbish about himself, that's when quite often he masks his vulnerability with a spikiness, a sarcasm and maybe a lack of patience for the people around him. Maybe we will see some of that returning in the immediate aftermath just as a method of self-protection."
Pride in the Storyline
Gareth Pierce expressed pride in handling such an important issue: "I think that I'm the type of person who would have put a fair bit of pressure on myself when first asked to carry a storyline like this to do it justice and to do survivors justice and ensure that they feel seen in what goes out on screen."
He concluded: "But now there is that sense that we've depicted it truthfully, and to hear how invested and on the journey our audience have been with us, then yeah absolutely I'm proud. I'm hugely proud of the work that every single member of this team has done and it really is credit to everybody's dedication."
