‘My parents wound up in a cult’
Actor Emrhys Cooper tells us about his sinister new role in Coronation Street and why the storyline is so close to home
Coronation Street’s newest face looks set to cause a whole lot of trouble for Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson). Cult mentor Rowan Cunliffe, played by Emrhys Cooper, has been attempting to entice Leanne into the organisation with his motivational seminars and dodgy business plans.
Incredibly, for 39-year-old Emrhys, the storyline is very close to home.
“My parents have encountered quite a few of Rowan’s type over the years,” he says. “I didn’t understand it growing up, but as I got older, I witnessed first hand some of the dangers of these types of characters.
“My parents did wind up in a cult,” he continues. “It was actually a wellness, fitness, spiritual cult. It presented itself as a kind of workout, feel-good fitness mentality, and it was only as they got further in and gave more money that it became sinister. My parents are intelligent people – just very open-hearted, and they’ve been taken advantage of many times.”
As Emrhys opens up about his personal experiences, he also reveals a harrowing story about his mother.
“She had a prescription for high blood pressure and a holistic doctor told her she could get off her medication with a herbal remedy – but she had a heart attack,” he says.
“She promised she would go back on her prescription, but she didn’t, and four years ago, suffered a severe stroke that left her paralysed.”
On the cobbles, Leanne has been taken in by Rowan’s charm, and Emrhys warns that his character is dangerous, although he doesn’t realise it because he’s been brainwashed himself.
“Rowan is high up at the Autovalent Institute, he’s charming but not slimy,” he explains. “Rowan’s main role at Autovalent is recruitment. He travels all over to present conferences and seminars, identifying the more ‘receptive’ people and encouraging them into the fold.
“Rowan doesn’t view Autovalent as a con because it’s been brilliant for him, and he credits the organisation with turning his life around.”
As Rowan attempts to tempt Leanne into joining Autovalent, he is met with scepticism by her sister, Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor).
“Rowan isn’t fazed by Toyah’s reaction, he’s used to it – he wholeheartedly believes in the cause and isn’t thrown easily,” reveals Emrhys.
“What you’ve seen of Rowan so far is only the tip of the iceberg. He’s very clever and good at what he does. And, yes, Leanne is in awe of him. There will be others who will be in his thrall too and may find themselves in the institute. I am struck with just how many similarities and parallels I have to this storyline – it’s art imitating life.”
While Emrhys was born in Devon and grew up “in the English countryside”, he has been living in the States and acted alongside some big names.
“I played Eva Longoria’s business manager in the final series of Desperate
Emmerdale
His family are excited about his Corrie role
Housewives as well as the male lead in the series Vanity,” says Emrhys. “I was also the geek in the Sugababes video Push The Button, and was in the Mamma Mia! movie.”
After his success in America, what brought Emrhys back home?
“I’ve actually been yearning to come back for a few years now,” he says. “But I didn’t want to come back here without a job, as I do have a nice life in California. This role is really a dream come true for me, and it’s particularly important given the personal connection to the subject matter.
“I’m just embracing this big change with open arms and loving the cheeky Northern banter.” He adds, “Everyone at Corrie has been so friendly and welcoming.”
Returning to the UK also means being reunited with his family, who, Emrhys explains, are thrilled he’s landed a part in a soap opera – and are happy for him to talk about their encounters with cults.
“They’re all incredibly excited, more about this role than any other role I’ve played,” he laughs.
“My dad has been telling all his friends and they’re having a little screening party when I first air. My mum is in a nursing home, and she’s also very excited, along with the nurses. And my darling sister is buzzing with the news and can’t wait to share it on social media. They are happy for me to share some of my personal stories if it helps warn and educate people of the potential risks.”
‘I’M LOVING THE CHEEKY NORTHERN BANTER’