James Cartwright may currently be playing one of Coronation Street’s most chilling villains, but the actor says the impact of Theo Silverton’s storyline has followed him far beyond the cobbles, including a heartbreaking encounter with a stranger at a train station.
The Corrie star, who joined the ITV soap last year as Todd Grimshaw’s seemingly perfect new love interest, has revealed how viewers have reached out in huge numbers following Theo’s disturbing abuse storyline. Speaking to The Mirror, James said he has received more than 100 letters from people affected by similar experiences.
One moment, in particular, has stayed with him.
‘I had someone come up to me at the train station recently. He told me a friend went through the same situation and he ended up taking his own life. It was really upsetting and moving. He told me how incredibly grateful he was for a story helping to raise awareness.’
For many viewers, Theo’s manipulation of Todd (Gareth Pierce) was unsettling because of how quietly and gradually it unfolded. What began as a charming romance soon turned into something far darker, with Theo attempting to control every aspect of Todd’s life, isolating him, gaslighting him and making him believe he was the one at fault.
James believes it was those smaller, more realistic details that struck the deepest nerve.
‘It’s very rare that you come across someone in your life who wants to intentionally harm you. It’s a really terrifying thing to think that may happen to you.’
The storyline reached horrifying heights during the recent Corriedale episodes, when Theo climbed back onto the burning minibus driven by Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) not to save him, but to make sure he didn’t escape. After clipping Billy’s seatbelt back together, Theo watched as the vehicle exploded, knowing Billy had learned the truth about his abuse and was a threat.
In last night’s episode (January 27), viewers watched a guilt-ridden Theo confess his crime to Billy’s coffin ahead of the funeral, unaware that Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) was listening in. The moment may finally mark the beginning of the end for the soap’s love-to-hate villain.
So far, Theo has managed to deflect suspicion, with Weatherfield residents wrongly blaming Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) for the crash. In reality, it was Carl behind the wheel, a secret that could soon unravel everything, especially now he knows what Theo did.
James has been vocal in his praise for Coronation Street’s handling of the storyline, particularly its focus on abuse within a same-sex relationship.
He told The Mirror, ’I can’t thank everyone at Corrie enough for their hard work on this. The amazing Kate Brooks, our endlessly creative and brilliant producer, and the whole team who always warn me in advance of what story lines lie ahead for Theo.’
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From his early breakout role in Tracy Beaker at just 17 to appearances in the Downton Abbey film, Dalgleish, Johnny Shakespeare and Radio 4’s The Archers, James Cartwright has built a varied career, but it’s Theo Silverton that has sparked some of the most powerful real-world conversations.
And as that encounter at the train station proves, the storyline’s impact goes far beyond the screen.
