Rowan (Emrhys Cooper)

[Perdita]

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/cor...-rowan-leanne/

Coronation Street introduces a mysterious new character called Rowan next week.

Rowan, played by Emrhys Cooper, makes his first appearance as Leanne Battersby and Simon Barlow attend an event at the Chariot Square Hotel together.

Next week's episodes see Simon forced to face the music after his recent drink-driving offence.

Simon crashed a car last month while taking Sam Blakeman to a chess competition. Aware that he was driving under the influence of alcohol, Simon fled from the scene alongside Sam.

After later acknowledging that he was drinking too much, Simon visited the police station to hand himself in over his mistake.

In upcoming scenes, Simon appears for his court hearing and his mum Leanne joins him.

Leanne's fianc? Nick Tilsley insists that he's far too busy to go with them. Simon is disappointed that Nick still seems to be holding a grudge over Sam's involvement in the crash, while Leanne is annoyed with Nick for not being more supportive.

Later in the week, Leanne decides to help Simon by taking him to a seminar being held by a mysterious group called The Institute.

The event is being held at the Chariot Square Hotel and Debbie Webster suggests Leanne should take Nick along, which would allow them to check out a nearby wedding fayre too.

Nick reluctantly agrees to accompany Leanne to the fayre, still burying his doubts over getting married again.

Later, in the hotel bar, Rowan approaches Leanne and offers her some unsolicited advice.

Leanne is initially taken aback by Rowan's approach, but she drops her guard when he encourages her to share her deepest thoughts and feelings.

When Rowan leaves and flashes Leanne a smile, she can't help but blush. Does this Weatherfield newcomer have a hidden agenda?

Coronation Street airs these scenes on Friday, March 15.

[Perdita]

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/cor...ult-storyline/

Coronation Street star Emrhys Cooper has confirmed that Toyah Battersby is onto his cult leader character of Rowan Cunliffe in a recent creepy storyline.

Rowan has appeared in recent (and will appear in upcoming) episodes of the soap as the figurehead of an organisation called The Institute, a cult targeting Nick Tilsley, Leanne Battersby and Simon Barlow.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Cooper has confirmed that Toyah ? Leanne's stepsister ? has her suspicions.

"I would love to tell you [about how much danger Leanne is in], but I honestly don't know yet, and I'm dying to find out," he said.

"Toyah is suspicious but Rowan isn't fazed by Toyah's reaction, he?s used to it. He wholeheartedly believes in the cause and isn't thrown easily."

Cooper also teased some upcoming developments in the storyline.

"What you've seen of Rowan so far is only the tip of the iceberg. He's very clever and good at what he does. And, yes, Leanne is in awe of him. There will be other residents who will be in his thrall and may find themselves in the institute."

Note: This section discusses topics including rape and baby loss.

Elsewhere for Toyah, a separate devastating storyline will address a particular traumatic event from her past.

Following Toyah's assault and rape at the hands of Phil Simmonds in 2001, viewers will learn that she fell pregnant as a result.

In a particularly devastating twist, it is set to be revealed that Toyah's baby was stillborn, and she was forced to bury her baby in a park.

[lizann]

Emrhys Cooper has suggested his character Rowan Cunliffe could target some more characters.

In recent weeks, viewers have seen Leanne Battersby be dragged increasingly deeper into a cult known as The Institute, as its charismatic leader Rowan continues to manipulate and heavily influence her.

During a new interview with Inside Soap, Cooper teased that Rowan has his eyes set on some other victims now that Leanne is firmly under his spell.

"I think that he really wants to open another resource centre, so he?s on a mission to raise the investment needed, however he can do that," he explained.

"And he wants to ?help? more people, so there might be some more characters he?s bringing into the organisation?"

The actor also discussed how he prepared for the role, saying he?s "always been fascinated by the subjects that Rowan is involved with".

"My mum and dad were in a cult for two years about 22 years ago, and I made a movie about a sham guru and a wellness retreat [The Shuroo Process] not that different from Rowan?s," he continued.

"So I already had quite a lot of insight when I got the audition. But since beginning the role of Rowan, I?ve continued my research, because I want to try to make the story as believable as possible."

Leanne recently went alone to a retreat with Rowan and The Institute, cutting herself off from sister Toyah, partner Nick and son Simon.

Speaking about the dark storyline, Toyah actor Georgia Taylor said she "can't wait" for Rowan's true colours to finally be unmasked, adding: "I want it to be something massive and dramatic and humiliating."

[Perdita]

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/cor...er-rowan-exit/

Coronation Street star Emhrys Cooper is being tipped to exit the soap.

Cooper's character, cult leader Rowan Cunliffe, has been at the centre of a dark storyline in recent months as he continues to manipulate Leanne Battersby and drag her deeper into his cult The Institute.

It's now being reported by The Mirror that Cooper will leave the soap when Rowan's storyline eventually comes to a close ? although it notes in its report that his storyline is not ending soon, as the character's behaviour will worsen and escalate over the coming months. UGGGHH
Digital Spy has reached out to Coronation Street, who didn't comment on the reports. However, DS understands that Rowan's storyline was always intended to run for a fixed period of time and set out with a clear beginning, middle and end.

In scenes set to air on the ITV soap next week, Leanne tries to convince Amy Barlow to join The Institute.

Meanwhile, Rowan manipulates Leanne further by suggesting it's a good idea for her to invest ?40,000 in the business, before he blackmails Nick into investing in The Institute by threatening to reveal his secret affair with Toyah.

Last month, Cooper warned that Rowan will target more characters after brainwashing Leanne.

"I think that he really wants to open another resource centre, so he's on a mission to raise the investment needed, however he can do that," he said.

"And he wants to 'help' more people, so there might be some more characters he's bringing into the organisation?."

Cooper added that he already had "quite a lot of insight" when he secured the chance to audition for Rowan, but has continued his research through the storyline "because I want to try to make the story as believable as possible".

[lizann]

is his storyline over, exited, was he arrested?

[Perdita]

is his storyline over, exited, was he arrested?

Appears so, never saw it on screen other than he was reported to the police after Leanne got the files from his computer and passed them to Amy... weird ending

[tammyy2j]

Appears so, never saw it on screen other than he was reported to the police after Leanne got the files from his computer and passed them to Amy... weird ending

Nick was getting him done for blackmail

Nothing about Amy's money returned

[Perdita]

He will be back..


https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/cor...-rowan-return/

Coronation Street star Emrhys Cooper has spoken to Digital Spy about his upcoming return appearance on the show.

The actor's villainous character Rowan Cunliffe has been absent from our screens in recent weeks after finally facing the music over his crimes.

Cult leader Rowan was recently charged with blackmail and fraud in relation to his senior role in The Institute.

Some fans wondered if this was the end of Rowan's storyline, but Emrhys recently posted a behind-the-scenes picture on Instagram confirming that he was filming more scenes.

As Emrhys was previously tipped to leave the show, this latest appearance is likely to round off the schemer's story.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy at the Inside Soap Awards last night (September 30), Emrhys confirmed: "He hasn't quite finished his naughty business yet.

"There might be a little bit more of a twist yet to see, so keep watching and you'll soon see."

Asked whether it's important to see Rowan get his comeuppance, Emrhys replied: "I think so! It's been so fun playing Rowan. I think he's caused so much trouble that that would have to happen, right?"

Rowan arrived on Coronation Street in March, when he began drawing Leanne Battersby into The Institute.

Amy Barlow was also briefly involved with the cult, but she saw the true nature of their dodgy activities much more quickly than Leanne did.

Reflecting on his Corrie stint, Emrhys continued: "It's been really fun, really exciting. It's a very important role, important subject matter. Just spreading the awareness has been a dream come true.

"There was lots of drama on screen, but off screen there was lots of laughs, lots of love. I made some really good friends and I enjoyed it all, really. Every day was a pleasure.

"I felt very comfortable with the actors I worked with. They gave me so much, so it was a really beautiful experience that I'll always treasure."

Asked who else Rowan could have tried to recruit, Emrhys laughed: "Just the people with the most money, really! It would have been fun to do Ken! But I think it's the dollar amount ? the most money would have been the most appealing."

The Inside Soap Awards 2024 took place in London on Monday. Coronation Street won big on the night, taking home the Best Soap award and five other prizes.