Nick Tilsley actor Ben Price has confirmed a sinister cult story for Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) in Coronation Street, following Nick and Leanne’s recent engagement.
In upcoming scenes, Leanne tells Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) that she’s taking Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) to The Institute seminar at the Chariot Square Hotel, following his court appearance for drink driving.
It just so happens that there is a wedding fair taking place at the same time, so Debbie encourages Leanne to go along and, under pressure, Nick agrees to accompany her, though he isn’t that keen, as Ben points out.
‘He’s not too happy about it. One, it’s going to cost a fortune and two, he’s like “could we just slow this down a bit and it not be too soon or too quick? It’s going to cost me a lot of money and I’m still not sure where I am.”
‘So I’ll be honest. I think he’s like, “Okay, I’ll go.” But I think he’s hoping he can kind of weasel his way out a bit. Like, “let’s have a think. Let’s give it six months.”‘
At the hotel, Leanne meets the charming Rowan (Emrhys Cooper) from The Institute, and she’s taken aback as he offers some advice, encouraging her to share her innermost thoughts and feelings.
As he makes to leave, he flashes her a smile, and she finds herself blushing. It is clear that Leanne is intrigued by him, though Ben reveals that Nick isn’t immediately jealous of him.
‘I don’t think he’s instantly jealous because he can’t really work out it’s anything if you see what I mean. I don’t think it is that straight away. And I don’t think I’m playing that straightaway.
‘It’s just that as it develops, I think he’s concerned with both sides. What is it? What is this? And, you know, she can get her eye taken. He’s good looking, I get it. You know, they’ve both been at fault there. Nick ended up with his sister in law, you know what I mean?
‘But I think nearer to the start, I think he’s like…because I don’t think everyone suspects. I don’t think Rowan appears like that instantly.’
As time goes on, it will become clear that Leanne is being brainwashed by The Institute, and Ben admits that Nick is unable to talk her out of it.
‘I don’t think Nick’s there to stop Leanne from leading her life. Leanne’s stronger than Nick I think. I think she’ll tell Nick exactly what she thinks. I think most of the women in Nick’s life really, they’re very strong and have very strong views about the way they want to do things and I think Nick’s like, “yeah absolutely.”
‘I think it’s more, Leanne is very, very good at stepping back and going, “I see what’s going on. I see if I’m being played, I see what the situation is” and she’s not with this. She’s convincing herself into this and Leanne’s actually not that.
‘Leanne is normally like, “I think that’s a load of s***” at first, and it’s probably Nick going “no, no, give it a chance, give it a chance.” But she’s not in this. She’s fully invested. And I think that’s the bit for Nick, that he’s a bit like, “you’re more cynical, Leanne than me. You’re not being very cynical about this man.”
‘And I don’t get to see him. I haven’t done any scenes with him. I know, it will come up. But I don’t get to see him until it almost becomes this man I’m not seeing and he’s taking her away to do the course and he’s taking her to Zooms in another room.’
With Leanne seemingly being taken in by The Institute, could she be in danger?
