Soap fans are in for a seismic shift, according to a Coronation Street star, who warns the landscape of British television drama will be permanently altered by an upcoming explosive crossover event.
A 'Meteor' Hitting Soap Land
James Cartwright, who plays the villainous Theo Silverton on the ITV stalwart, has spoken exclusively about the much-hyped 'Corriedale' special. The actor confessed that reading the scripts for the crossover episode, which sees characters from Coronation Street and Emmerdale collide, left him utterly stunned.
"It will change soap land forever," Cartwright declared. "Soap land will never be the same again because of it. It's like a meteor coming to Earth. You can take cover but it's landing!" The actor teased that the episode contains moments with "real far-reaching consequences" that will send shockwaves through both shows.
Expect the Unexpected in Dramatic Stunt Episode
The special episode, set to air on January 5, will feature a devastating stunt that puts lives on the line, throwing residents of Weatherfield and the Dales together in one high-octane narrative. Cartwright urged viewers to brace themselves for a rollercoaster ride.
"Absolutely expect the unexpected," he warned. "It's like carving your way out of a jungle with a teaspoon. Anything can happen. It's exciting, it's the unknown." He praised the production team for keeping the plot details under wraps, adding that the episode is "big, beautiful, and explosive."
Reflecting on his character's role, Cartwright hinted that Theo Silverton will deliver a mix of the anticipated and the utterly surprising. "Some things are very unexpected and some things you absolutely expect from Theo. It's a combination of the two," he revealed.
Cast Bonded Over Coffee and Cards on Historic Shoot
Cartwright also shared charming behind-the-scenes details from the historic filming, expressing his amazement that such a crossover had never been attempted before. He likened the concept to the simple genius of putting wheels on a suitcase.
"Like all great ideas it's simple, it's brilliant, it's exciting, it's thrilling and it's the most fantastic bit of telly," he gushed. His advice to fans? "Sit down with a brew, but don't hold it in your hand as you'll end up spilling it down your lap!"
The actor set up his own espresso machine on set, dubbing it "Cartwright's café," and bonded with the Emmerdale cast—including Jeff Hordley, Danny Miller, and Natalie J Robb—over coffee, cards, and sweets. He described the experience as a "really, really wonderful time."
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
