Deliver the modern messages that matter,
JUST because Corrie is nearly 60 years old, that doesn’t mean it should be slowing down and preparing to collect its bus pass.
Of course we all love the gentle charm of the older characters, not to mention the humour that has been at the heart of Weatherfield. But this is not The Darling Buds Of May. Coronation Street has always confronted the big issues, ever since its first episode in 1960, and has never shied away from hardhitting storylines. It’s what soaps do, and our soaps must fight for their future. As Britain’s favourite soap looks towards a fresh start, it should continue to move with the times. It must deliver modern messages that matter to new generations of fans, not pander to traditionalists who don’t like change. Outgoing boss Kate Oates moved the show out of the dark ages when she arrived two years ago, with everyone talking about its tough storylines. When viewers saw the ordeal of David Platt’s rape last month, rape crisis charities received a spike in calls and it got the nation talking about male mental health. Kate said: “A lot of men who are victims of sexual assault take in excess of 25 years to speak out about it. We’re telling a lot of stories about male mental health. Stories like this are designed to hold up a mirror to people and give people a voice.” Kate oversaw its transition to six weekly episodes, as well as the introduction of a new street, and powerful stories that have won Corrie the best viewing figures in years.
Not everyone has been happy with the changes, with storylines such as the dark deeds of serial killer Pat Phelan (played by Connor McIntyre) upsetting some viewers, including Sir Michael Parkinson, who ranted that the gruesome scenes made him “recoil”.
Controversy will always attract complaints, and violence is not new.
Over the decades we’ve seen death by bus, lorry, fire, freezer, train, gunshot and knife as well as rape, divorce, depression, suicide – and Ken Barlow’s wife Valerie met her maker after being electrocuted by a hairdryer. Why shy away from all that?
As Kate leaves Corrie to front prime-time drama, new boss Iain MacLeod, who moves from Emmerdale, must continue to break new ground.
Producers cannot be afraid to tackle tough, sometimes controversial, subjects. Yes, sometimes they can make for difficult viewing, but soaps need to reflect real life in Britain.
The Bethany Platt grooming storyline made for harrowing scenes, but it is a subject that deserved attention. The shake-up this week has kick-started reports that long-serving cast members were unhappy younger stars were being handed the gritty stories.
With rumours that new boss Iain plans to prioritise veterans, there is a fear the younger stars’ jobs will be in danger.
While we’d welcome gripping stories for favourites such as Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts), Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster), Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster), Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor), it would be a mistake to axe younger stars like Katie McGlynn (Sinead Tinker), Colson Smith (Craig Tinker) or Harry Visinoni (Seb Franklin).
The multigenerational nature of soaps keeps viewers glued to their sets.
It will be a tall order to keep everyone happy, but with the show regularly pulling in seven million viewers, the future is looking bright.
Explosive scenes on Good Friday, as Pat Phelan confessed his crimes to Eileen, pulled in 9.4 million viewers – the soap’s highest ratings in three years.
Whatever the boss’s big plans may be, I for one will be hoping Corrie stays on its current course. You know what they say – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It must move with times, not pander to audiences who don’t like change