In an exclusive interview, Coronation Street star James Cartwright has opened up about portraying one of the soap's most chilling villains, Theo Silverton, while revealing poignant real-life encounters with viewers affected by the storyline.
Theo Silverton's Descent into Darkness
James Cartwright, who joined the Coronation Street cast last March, describes his character Theo as "a tortured monster" following recent explosive episodes. The storyline saw Theo deliberately ensure vicar Billy Mayhew's death by clipping his seatbelt back together during a minibus fire, rather than saving him.
"Theo has got himself into a situation that was an opportunistic moment of madness," explains the 41-year-old actor. "In the moment, he decided it would be better for him and Todd if he clicked Billy back into his seat and left him to die."
Confession and Consequences
In upcoming episodes, viewers will witness Theo confessing his crime to Billy's coffin, only to be overheard by another Coronation Street resident. "And of all the people to overhear a confession, it couldn't get much worse!" Cartwright teases, drawing parallels to Shakespearean drama where "that guilty conscience will eventually catch up with him."
The character's evolution from happily married father to reluctantly coming out as gay, then becoming an abusive bully and now a killer represents what Cartwright calls "a death by a thousand cuts" for Todd Grimshaw, Theo's beleaguered lover.
Real-Life Contrasts and Fan Reactions
Despite playing such a dark character, Cartwright describes himself as "poles apart from Theo" in reality. "I'm like a giant Labrador off the leash in real life," he laughs. "As soon as fans of the show meet me, they can see I'm as daft as a brush."
The actor regularly receives feedback from viewers, including supermarket encounters where people tell him "Oi you, stop being so awful to Todd!" However, he notes that despite the unsettling nature of the storyline, "people tell me they are very much loving the story."
Moving Station Encounter
Perhaps the most poignant fan interaction occurred recently at a train station. "I had someone come up to me at the train station recently," Cartwright reveals. "He told me a friend went through the same situation and he ended up taking his own life. It was really upsetting and moving. He told me how incredibly grateful he was for a story helping to raise awareness."
The actor has received over 100 letters about the storyline and praises Coronation Street for focusing on abuse in a homosexual relationship. "As a society, we quite rightly condemn it as outrageous if a man hits a woman," he observes. "But with men on men, same sex violence in a relationship, the public perception feels slightly different, even though it's the same."
Production Challenges and Personal Reflections
Playing such intense scenes takes its toll on the actor. "It can be challenging at times," Cartwright admits. "The brain knows you are pretending but the body doesn't, you sort of feel adrenaline in your blood and tense everywhere. After five hours of shouting at someone in an argument scene, sometimes, I go home and just lie down in the dark and quiet."
The Manchester-based actor has experienced a "mixed old year" personally, dealing with the loss of both his dogs last year and a family member just before starting his Coronation Street role. "Grief is the price we pay for love," he reflects philosophically. "You spend so much time together, the purity and uncomplicated love of a dog is irreplaceable."
Theo's Future and Soap Justice
While refusing to drop specific hints about when Todd might finally oust Theo, Cartwright believes his character should get his comeuppance. "Villains have to get their justice," he states firmly. "Soaps are a very moral medium – as they should be. Whether Theo gets his justice through the legal system, or whether it is Corrie's own brand of justice remains to be seen."
However, he confirms that nothing will happen imminently, noting "there is a way to go yet" for the popular Theo/Todd storyline. The actor enjoys working with co-star Gareth Pierce, with whom he previously worked on The Archers, creating "a great shorthand between us now."
Career Reflections and Corrie Experience
Cartwright, who shot to fame aged 17 in Tracy Beaker and has since appeared in the Downton Abbey film and various television roles, treasures his time on Coronation Street. "I love it on Corrie," he enthuses. "I have been having an absolute riot and I've made so many great friends on set."
He acknowledges that playing a nicer character might have meant a longer stint on the soap, possibly as "a friendly milkman for ten years." However, he concludes: "I enjoy being a strong flavour in the soup. Sometimes, I read a scene and think 'deary me, how am I going to do that?...Smash his head in the mirror?' It's a tricky old part at times."
With a knowing smile, the actor adds: "If you won a competition to be in Corrie, playing Theo is everything you wish it would be and more."
