Ethan Browne
“Tane wants to put his criminal past behind him and look after Ziggy…”
So, I decided to shave my hair tight at the sides, and as soon as I put on Harvey’s street clothes with the boots and bling, it changes everything – even down to the way I walk with all his swagger. The wardrobe department has done a great job. You instantly look at Harvey and go, ‘Oh, he’s dodgy’. And that’s just my face!
Leanne and Simon are characters that viewers really care about. Are you worried about the reception Harvey will get for being awful to them?
I am a bit apprehensive, yeah! Die-hard fans feel everything for these characters, so I think I might get hassled on the street by people shouting abuse! I hope they understand it’s not real, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if they didn’t feel that way. I’ve already had messages telling me to leave Simon and Leanne alone, so I’m expecting to get a little bit of grief!
While the Weatherfield locals will be horrified at the thought of Harvey poisoning their nice neighbourhood, Will’s family is over the moon that he’s treading the cobbles. Will’s mum is a huge fan of the show, as was the star’s late father, Bill, who sadly passed away last April. “I believe in timing,” shares Will. “After losing my father, getting this job has been a real boost for us. I wear my dad’s ring, and I don’t ever take it off. I thought it would be nice to incorporate it into the character, and that way, my dad is with me on set all the time. He was a massive Corrie fan, and he would be so proud that I’m on the show.”
Is it true that your mum’s lifelong ambition has been to get you to Weatherfield, Will?
Yeah! When I was 12 I signed up with a casting agent in Manchester after going to an open audition. They were looking for kids off the street with no experience, and I didn’t think it should make a difference that I came from a council estate – I just wanted to do it. From the moment that I was with the agency my mum said, ‘I’d just love him to get on Corrie!’ She’s had to wait 32 years, but her son is finally on it!
You opened up recently about your personal struggles before and after losing your dad. Was that helpful? Talking helps. I’m a very upbeat person in that I live for the moment, I’m excitable and creative, and I try to be the life and soul. When that’s not happening, there’s another side that isn’t nice. We lost my sister nine years ago, and I didn’t deal with it well. I didn’t want to get out of bed, I was drinking too much, and fell into gambling. Luckily, I got out of that. I was looking for potential highs to cheer me up, and that’s the worst thing to do.
“You instantly look at Harvey and go, ‘Oh, he’s dodgy’…”
How did you get through it?
Having my wife, family and kids around me really helped. When my dad passed, I saw signs of it starting to happen again, but I didn’t go that deep. Obviously, lockdown didn’t help. When you don’t have to be up in the morning, there’s no excuse not to have a few drinks! But, you have a word with yourself. I was sick of feeling rubbish, and now I feel great. My mindset is better. I’m an ambassador for The Kaleidoscope Group, a leading mental health charity. The whole mantra is: it’s okay not to be okay. And I cry a lot. The highs and lows are part of me, and I just accept them.
You’re on the Street for just four months, but would you consider a return?
I never say never to anything! In the crime syndicate there’s always someone bigger above you, and there’s no way Harvey’s at the top of the chain, so it would be interesting to explore that and see Harvey squirm. I just hope he goes down well with the fans, and that they’ll look back and say, ‘He was a good bad’un’!