He is still better known as DI Manson the Alan Shearer lookalikeQuote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
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He is still better known as DI Manson the Alan Shearer lookalikeQuote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
Andrew Lancel DS interview
Coronation Street embarks on one of its darkest ever storylines next week as Frank Foster attacks and rapes Carla Connor after she ends their relationship on the eve of their wedding.
Although the act of rape does not feature on screen, viewers will be left in no doubt over what Frank has done - and show bosses have promised to "tackle a very difficult subject in a sensitive and moving way" in the coming weeks.
Off screen, Coronation Street bosses and cast members have researched the plot with experts from the St. Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, and the characters involved have been tipped to feature in powerful scenes for some time to come.
With the storyline due to begin airing from Monday, Digital Spy recently caught up with Andrew Lancel, who plays Frank, for an in-depth chat about what's in store.
When were you first told that Frank would have this big storyline with Carla?
"I've known about this since the first meeting I had with Corrie - it was always going to be part and parcel of the storyline arc. The clues have been there over a period of time, but we've played them in a normal way and I think Frank has become quite accepted and popular.
"Because of that, I think this is going to be quite a big shock for those people who have forgotten what happened with Maria. But I've always known the A and Z of the storyline."
Have you embraced the chance to portray such gritty material?
"It's certainly been the most challenging storyline that I've done as a TV actor, but I've also been flattered to do it and I think that we've got a responsibility with this. It's important to remember that this is still Corrie. While Corrie does tackle issues like rape and domestic violence, it perhaps does it in a way that other dramas don't, because it's Corrie.
"It's been an absolute pleasure to be involved in this. It's been a challenge, it's been hard, it's been emotional - and it will be to watch. But I'm very keen to get this across - while it may be disturbing for people to watch some particular scenes, it's still Corrie."
We know that Alison King did a lot of research for the storyline, so were you also involved in that?
"Yes, of course - but I'm coming at it from a different point of view and a considerably different angle, so for me it's been about understanding why people do this. Frank has often been very romantic, he's been heroic, he's been charming and he's been funny - but I've always known that within him there's a dormant predator.
"It's nearly surfaced before, but this time it does surface. So obviously I wanted to understand why people do what they do. Also, this isn't a guy dragging someone into a back alley - this is a day before his wedding and hours before he was planning to marry this woman, so it's extremely shocking."
How did filming these scenes compare to the scenes we saw a few months ago where Frank tried to rape Maria?
"Well, the Maria storyline was a long time ago now, and since then Frank and Carla have become a couple - quite a well-liked couple. But we weren't foxing the audience, we were playing a story and as far as Frank was concerned, he was going to marry Carla and spend the rest of his life with her.
"So up until this point, I was playing a man who was hopelessly in love with this woman. Because of that, it felt very different to the scenes that I played with Samia.
"Also, 95% of my scenes have been with Alison King and we've worked very hard together. We go off to rehearse together, we learn lines and we speak on the phone all the time. We were very aware that we had a responsibility with this, so we worked very, very closely together. It's been a lot easier than it could have been thanks to Ali."
Does the storyline delve into why Frank is the way he is, and why he does this?
"Well, this is the thing - why would anybody do something like this? What we see is that Frank is so distraught and broken by what Carla has done by calling off the wedding, that the monster within him comes out. I've always said from day one that there are many, many sides to Frank Foster - some that are nice, and some that are not nice.
"But his true colours really come out with this storyline. This is what he is, and you can't skirt that - I certainly don't want to skirt that. At the same time, though, it's fascinating to play - there's a darkness in Frank that has been great to explore as an actor. It's hard and tough to do, but also rewarding."
Surprisingly, Frank seems very cheery and acts completely normally soon after the attack, doesn't he?
"Yes, within minutes he's acting normally and saying things like, 'What's happened? I don't understand'. He's very, very clever - there's a twisted mind in there. He'd have Carla back at the drop of a hat, that's the bizarre thing."
What kind of impact do you want the storyline to have?
"It's a horrible thing that happens, but unfortunately it happens almost daily in this country, so I think it's going to touch a lot of nerves but it'll be fascinating to watch. The way Carla, Frank, Maria, Peter and the street all deal with it - it's classic Corrie and it's high-voltage. It's Corrie-driven and it's character-driven.
"If there's a moral message behind it, which of course there is, then that's great - but at its core it's about the people who walk down Coronation Street. It has to be, I think. I suspect that this particular storyline has been under the microscope right down to every word, so we're aware that we've got a responsibility. But we've also got a responsibility to the people who watch Corrie week in, week out."
You've mentioned that Frank has seemed popular, so are you surprised that some viewers seemed to forget the Maria storyline so quickly?
"Yeah, absolutely. But we played it in a way that was very coy at the time - and that was because there was a long way to go. That was February, this is September and there's been so many episodes between then and now.
"But I think people have always known he's a baddie - the press picked up on it early on, and it's always in the papers that he's a bad boy. I don't think people realised he would be this bad, though. It's often easy to tell who the bad guys are, but with Frank, I hope there's always been a question mark there until now."
What happens to Frank after this?
"All I can say is it's not the end. It's far from over - it's far, far from over for Frank. He's a very clever man, and he can twist and manipulate people very easily it seems. It'll be interesting for people to see what happens in the days after the attack - the way Frank twists and turns and manipulates. He'll lie and be deceitful, and there'll be blood on the street.
Because of the nature of this storyline, do you ever worry that a minority of viewers could confuse you with your character?
"I only worry about it when people say that to me! I don't mean this arrogantly, but I've been on telly for a long time - particularly on The Bill, where I was on screen every week for years. I think that people identify me as someone who's on TV, so I think this role might have perhaps been a bit harder for someone who's not done a lot of telly. But I can't see people being daft enough to think that I'm Frank. I look like him and sound like him, but that's it!"
Are you enjoying working with Gwen Taylor, who's playing Frank's mum?
"Yes! I've had a lot of great actresses playing my mums over the years like Julie Walters and Anita Dobson, and now I've got Gwen Taylor - it's great!"
How have you found life at Coronation Street in general?
"It's been a joy. I've been here nearly a year now, I've done hundreds of days - and I've not had a day that I haven't enjoyed. It's been tiring, especially in the past couple of months with this rape storyline - and on the particular day of filming those scenes, I was exhausted and it was very emotional. Who wouldn't feel like that? But it's a buzz working on Corrie - I've had a gift of a part and a gift of a job."
You were a fan of Corrie before you joined the show, weren't you?
"Yes, working with actors like Jane Danson, I still have to count to five because I'm a fan. I actually think that being such a big fan of the show has helped with this part, because it's very important to respect what you do and I have enormous respect for these people. They're doing it year in, year out.
"For example, Chris Gascoyne has been playing his part faultlessly for years - always doing his homework, always doing his research. It's been a joy working with all of them, without exception. But I'm going to have to pedestal Ali, because of the material we've been doing together."
You've often seemed to portray characters with a harder edge. Do you find those roles more enjoyable to play?
"I've never tried to seek characters who have controversy attached to them. What happened was that, when I was 23, I was cast in Cardiac Arrest, which turned out to be a massively controversial programme about the NHS. And then the characters that I was asked to play afterwards always seemed to have a bit of an edge to them.
"Russell T Davies asked me to do Queer as Folk, I did City Central and I was the journalist in Hillsborough. A lot of the parts that I've played have been tinged with controversy. I've not necessarily sought it, but it's made it a really interesting journey.
"Even on Bad Girls I was playing a bully, and on The Bill, Manson was a controversial character who was often associated with controversial stories. I've been very lucky with my roles, and none more so than Frank."
Away from Coronation Street, you've been doing some one-man theatre shows recently. How have they been going?
"They've been going great! I've always done gigs and concerts. Coronation Street is my day job, but I'm fortunate enough to have the occasional night job - and noticeably more people seem to be coming now thanks to Frank! It's been going good and I'm enjoying it."
Coronation Street star Andrew Lancel has revealed that his character Frank Foster will show just how manipulative he is as the soap's rape storyline progresses.
Frank sexually assaults fiancé Carla Connor (Alison King) next week after she dumps him on the eve of their wedding.
Although Frank runs off into the night after the attack, Lancel told Digital Spy that the businessman later returns and pretends that nothing has happened.
Lancel explained: "Within minutes, he's acting normally and saying things like, 'What's happened? I don't understand'. He's very, very clever - there's a twisted mind in there."
Discussing Frank's future, he continued: "All I can say is it's not the end. It's far from over - it's far, far from over for Frank. He's a very clever man, and he can twist and manipulate people very easily it seems.
"It'll be interesting for people to see what happens in the days after the attack - the way Frank twists and turns and manipulates. He'll lie and be deceitful, and there'll be blood on the street."
Sally Webster was recently tipped to become embroiled in the ongoing storyline, but these rumours remain unconfirmed by Coronation Street bosses.
Reports have also suggested that Frank and his mum Anne will start plotting against Carla in a bid to destroy her business.
Coronation Street's Frank Foster, AKA actor Andrew Lancel tells TV Times magazine why his controversial character is set to be Weatherfield's vilest vilain yet...
Since finding fame in BBC1’s Cardiac Arrest as saintly doctor Andrew Collin, you’ve tackled some pretty controversial roles...
“I was the nice TV doctor, and I was very fortunate to be in a very successful, controversial and, I like to say, ground-breaking show. Then gradually after that I got known for doing controversial parts.
“Things like Queer as Folk in which I had a very small role, kind of changed my career, because I was the guy that killed one of the characters, and I was representing the dangers of that gay lifestyle. Then I killed Paul Nicholls in City Central and, in Soldier Soldier, I was the first gay soldier on British television. I hadn’t thought about any of these things; it just seemed to happen, but then you think that it’s a good way of talking about things.”
The recent episode of Coronation Street in which Frank raped Carla was extremely controversial...
"There is going to be a lot of controversy with Frank. For me, and I’m sure for Alison, they were incredibly hard to play because they were delving into real darkness. I was having to pull out this monster that I’ve always known was there. And more than ever, they’re the scenes where you really see Frank.
“That particular week, I didn’t go home; I was probably a bit snappy. But it was my birthday in the middle of the week and my wife took me and [my son] Isaac to a beautiful hotel for the night, so that was wonderful and, on set, they did a birthday surprise for me.”
It must be hard to switch off from playing such a troubled character like Frank, though...
“Ninety per cent of the time, I am able to switch off. I suspect that on those particular days, it took a little bit longer and maybe a larger glass of wine!”
What else can we expect to see happening with Frank?
“There’s a lot more to come. It’s about denial, about being a predator, having control. He’d have Carla back tomorrow; that’s how twisted he is. Believe me, it goes into a storyline of twists and lies. I’m putting my hand on my head when I read the scripts; I’m like 'Oh my God, die!'"
And what about the thought of putting on DI Manson’s shoes again, should The Bill be resurrected or a spin-off created?
“I’ve still got his shoes in my wardrobe! I would never rule it out as long as Johnathan Young [The Bill’s executive producer] or Tim Key [producer] were behind it, the same writers were there and some of the same cast.
“There’s talk of taking Manson to Australia. I’ve heard all the rumours and I’ve seen the treatments and the ideas, so I think that proves we were doing something right!”
Coronation Street newcomer Gwen Taylor has explained her character Anne Foster's loyal support of her rapist son Frank.
Carla Connor (Alison King) was sexually attacked by Frank (Andrew Lancel) after she called off their wedding last month. Next week's episodes see the businesswoman's ordeal continue as Anne is installed at Underworld to protect her son's interests at the factory, making Carla's life a misery.
Taylor told TV Choice of the storyline: "In Anne's eyes, Frank can do no wrong. She'll do whatever it takes to protect him. If he tells her he didn't do it, then he didn't do it.
"There are plenty of mums out there like that. When the recent riots happened, some women refused point blank to believe their children had been involved. So mums can be a pretty loyal bunch, for good or ill."
Taylor admitted that she found her first day at Coronation Street "terrifying" but quickly settled in on set.
"I was a bit gobsmacked to begin with because, like most people who watch the show, the characters feel like they're somehow part of your life," she explained. "I found it strange being with them all, but it's getting better as I'm getting to know the actors.
"Ali King is a lovely woman. It's hard to have an argument with her because she's so sweet. We'll just have had a nice conversation in the green room and then I have to go on screen and tear her to bits."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-the-plot.html
CORRIE'S evil rapist Frank Foster loses the plot after he spots his ex-fiancée Carla Connor spying on him at his own Christmas party. 0 commentRelated Stories
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Enraged by the exchange, he stalks back to his own home and stops to SCREAM like a mad man before he goes back inside.
He had thrown a festive bash, attended by his new romantic interest Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor) and his mother Ann (Gwen Taylor).
Vulnerable Sally is seduced by the monster this Yuletide after they become close following her split from Jeff Cullen.
Last month Sally Dynevor, who has played Sally for 25 years said: "He is in a position of authority, and for Sally that's enticing."
Frank (Andrew Lancel) raped Carla (Alison King) after she dumped him the night before their wedding.
The scenes will be shown in upcoming episodes of Coronation Street.
Quote:
CORRIE'S evil rapist Frank Foster loses the plot after he spots his ex-fiancée Carla Connor spying on him at his own Christmas party. He catches his former lover in a car parked outside his house and quickly goes over to confront her.
Enraged by the exchange, he stalks back to his own home and stops to SCREAM like a mad man before he goes back inside.
He had thrown a festive bash, attended by his new romantic interest Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor) and his mother Ann (Gwen Taylor).
Vulnerable Sally is seduced by the monster this Yuletide after they become close following her split from Jeff Cullen.
Last month Sally Dynevor, who has played Sally for 25 years said: "He is in a position of authority, and for Sally that's enticing."
Frank (Andrew Lancel) raped Carla (Alison King) after she dumped him the night before their wedding.
The scenes will be shown in upcoming episodes of Coronation Street.
The Pictures
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http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/a...1_1410679a.jpg
Coronation Street's evil businessman Frank Foster will be killed off in a forthcoming plot twist, a report has claimed.
Cast and crew at the Weatherfield soap will soon start filming scenes which see the twisted villain die as his dark storyline reaches its conclusion, according to The Mirror.
It is thought that police launch a murder investigation following Frank's (Andrew Lancel) death, meaning that one character may have resorted to desperate measures to get rid of him.
Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) will reportedly be among the suspects as the shock death rocks the cobbles. He comes under suspicion and is arrested because his ex-wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was targeted by the rapist before his passing.
Although plot details are unconfirmed by Coronation Street bosses, a spokesperson told the newspaper that Frank's storyline 'had to run to its conclusion'.
Defending the soap's balance of dramatic and lighter storylines, the representative added: "Coronation Street's fantastic mix of drama, comedy and romance will continue into 2012."
Frank, who joined Weatherfield in January, raped ex-fiancée Carla Connor (Alison King) earlier this year. Maria Connor (Samia Smith) was also attacked by him, but she managed to escape his clutches.
CORRIE'S Rosie Webster is to enlist the help of her boyfriend Jason Grimshaw in a bid to stop evil rapist Frank Foster dating her mum.
Corrie's Helen Flanagan quitsCorrie Sally next in sight for Frank
The brunette, played by Helen Flanagan, asks her partner, alias Ryan Thomas, to take her round to the house of her mum's new romantic interest.
Rosie, wearing a fur coat, knee-length leather boots and an orange printed top gets in Jason's white van and they zoom off to warn him off.
Frank (Andrew Lancel) raped his ex-fiancee Carla Connor (Alison King) after she dumped him the night before their wedding. He also attacked Maria Connor, who managed to escape his clutches.
And it has been revealed that Frank will be killed off as his dark storyline reaches a conclusion.
Sally's ex hubby Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) will be hauled into the Weatherfield cop shop over the death of the serial attacker.
Sally, left vulnerable after splitting from Jeff Cullen, gets increasingly close to monster Frank over the next few weeks and they share a kiss under the mistletoe after they go out for a festive drink together.
Carla is very bad luck for fellas Peter would want to be careful they all dieQuote:
Originally Posted by alan45
Paul, Liam, Tony and now Frank