Coronation Street star Beth Nixon has opened up about the dramatic end to her character’s story, as Megan Walsh was found guilty of all charges relating to her grooming and abuse of Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale).
The hard-hitting storyline had landed in court last month, but the verdict was far from guaranteed as Megan staged a cunning defence, while Will struggled with speaking out on her actions.
For a moment, it seemed as though she might get away with her crimes, but in Friday’s episode of Coronation Street, the jury found Megan guilty of inciting a child into engaging in sexual activity, and abuse of a position of trust.
Although it won’t erase the trauma that Will and his family has endured, it does represent a hopeful example of justice being served, and opens the possibility of moving on from this horrific saga.
Speaking to the Inside Soap podcast (Soap Scoop), Nixon revealed that, despite the uncertainty of the trial, the Corrie writers had always intended for her character to be convicted.
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“She wasn’t ever going to escape justice by being killed or anything like that,” the actor shared. “We always knew that she was going to serve her time.
“It shows the whole process of it. It’s showing what all the family are going through – how they’re supporting Will and how it’s affecting them,” continued Nixon.
“It’s definitely important to show that, if you are being abused, then you can get justice. It’s really hard because it doesn’t always happen that way.”
She added: “But when [Corrie boss] Kate Brooks and the storyliners were making the story, there’s been a few cases recently where it’s happened and the victims have got justice.”
It’s safe to assume we’ve seen the last of Megan for the foreseeable future – Nixon’s departure from the soap’s cast had previously been announced – but of course, there’s always the potential for a return.
The actor explained that she’d “love any opportunity to come back,” describing Coronation Street as “such a fab place to work” and expressing interest in seeing Megan “bump into Lou Michaelis [Farrell Hegarty]” in prison.
“I think Lou would definitely put Megan in her place, for sure,” she theorised.
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
