Saving Sally
What does Sally Dynevor have to say about the latest storylines in Coronation Street? Her character, Sally Metcalfe, might find being wrongfully imprisoned is the least of her troubles!
The story so far
Sally is currently in prison, accused of fraud by Duncan, and awaiting her day in court. Her case for acquittal is not very strong. Meanwhile, at home, Sally’s husband, Tim, and daughter, Sophie, are being looked after by Sally’s sister Gina. Which sounds fine, but Gina has fallen in love with Tim.//
How has Sally been coping in prison ahead of her trial?
She’s had her real ups and downs: she got beaten up and she hates it in there! To have been the mayor and then end up in prison, the whole thing is a nightmare, but the thing that’s keeping her going is that she knows she is innocent, so she believes she will get out. She thinks that once she gets into court, she can tell them the truth about what really happened and it’ll all be fine! At this point, prison is all very new to her and she wants to try and make it a better place for women with yoga and meditation! The whole idea is lovely but quite naive!
Sally gets a friend in prison when Abi arrives, but how does Abi’s arrival make her feel?
Abi is brilliant for Sally because she’s been in prison before, so she knows how it all works. She helps Sally by talking to her about what she’s been through and reassures her that Tim loves her. Sally supports Abi too. She would usually look down her nose at Abi, due to the drugs, but in prison those barriers have been knocked over and some of her prejudices have been lost.
How do you think Sally would feel if she knew that Gina has developed feelings for her husband while she’s been inside?
She would be shocked that Gina could do that to her when she is in such a desperate situation. Tim’s father, Geoff, warns Tim to watch himself; this causes Gina to panic and to throw Tim off the scent, she starts dating. She meets up with Sally’s accuser, Duncan, so, this could go one way or the other!
If Sally knew Gina was meeting Duncan, would she be worried?
She might hope she’s doing all she can to help but she may be a little worried about it too, because she knows Duncan is so clever that everyone is beginning to believe his lies! Also, for Gina, with her feelings for Tim, making him believe the worst about Sally works in her favour, which would be devastating for Sally if she knew what was happening!
Why can’t Sally get a character witness to vouch for her?
Perhaps they are too afraid because they are all beginning to believe that she could’ve done what is being suggested of her – that she had an affair with Duncan and then stole money, which of course is just not true.
How does Sally feel when there’s no sign of Gina and Tim on the first day of her trial?
At first, she is worried and then it’s a relief when Tim and Gina finally walk in. But Tim looks dishevelled and this upsets her. It’s important for Sally that Tim looks pristine because the court is looking at her and her family.
What’s going through Sally’s head when Duncan takes the stand?
It’s a terrible moment because everything he says is a lie. He makes a passionate speech about how he hadn’t had an affair with another woman before Sally. He brings up Sally’s past and her kiss with Kevin the night before she married Tim. It’s absolutely devastating for Sally.
Does Sally start to believe she could go to prison for this?
It’s a bad moment where she realises how bad the situation is looking. I think she’s more worried that Tim might be thinking she has had an affair. She realises that there is something more important at stake...her marriage! It upsets her that the man she loves doesn’t believe her.
With everything looking grim, Sally has a moment when she thinks it might all work out in her favour – why is this?
Duncan mentioned a date in his testimony and until now, Sally couldn’t remember what she was doing on that day. When she suddenly remembers that it is was her birthday, she recalls being so busy looking after Jack (Kevin’s son) because he was very ill. It was a terrible time for them – no wonder she couldn’t remember at first.
Will Sally go to any length to clear her name?
Sophie tells her that she’s done everything by the book and she’s been honest, yet it’s not getting her anywhere. Taking matters into her own hands is going to help, otherwise, she could face being locked up for the rest of her life. I think that’s the moment it dawns on her how important it is to delay the trial and she looks to Abi for advice on what to do next.
Sally would usually look down her nose at Abi, due to the drugs, but in prison those barriers have been knocked over