Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon explains Maria’s devastating discoveries

Note: This story discusses topics including suicidal ideation/thoughts and bullying.

Coronation Street spoilers also follow.

Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon has explained her character Maria Connor’s devastating discoveries about her son Liam.

Liam’s mental health will begin to hit rock bottom in the coming weeks, as a result of Mason Radcliffe’s bullying. Following months of torment, the teen will contemplate taking his own life next week (February 14).

Speaking to Digital Spy and other media, Longchambon addressed Maria’s concern when she discovers the extent of her son’s bullying turmoil.

“She’s absolutely horrified by it. And just really, it’s heartbreaking for her to see what her son’s been going through. And that he’s not felt that he can talk to her and Gary,” she said.

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“I think that’s what hurts her as well that she’s like, ‘Why hasn’t he told us, we could have been helping him’. And he’s been going through this all by himself, which just makes it even more heartbreaking.”

The actress also discussed Maria’s own trolling difficulties, and how they’ve helped her understand Liam’s emotions better: “There’s a really nice scene between Maria and Liam where she does say to him, ‘I remember when I was going through it with the online trolls and I thought that it would never get better, but it does’.

“‘And you need to know that it’s not going to be forever, and you know, talk to us and don’t keep this kind of thing to yourself because we can help, and it will pass, basically’. So she does try and sort of get on his level because she has been through it herself.”

Next week, Maria creates a fake social media account to uncover the extent of Liam’s online bullying. As she scrolls through the comments on her son’s account, her face becomes ashen.

“I think when she finds out how upset he really has been, when she finds out the extent of how depressed it’s making him and how he feels like he can’t carry on with his life, and he’s been researching ways online of how to end his life, it’s utterly heartbreaking for her,” Longchambon said.

“I think she kind of takes it to the nth degree, she won’t let Liam out of her sight. And she does get really paranoid, understandably, because it has been extremely close to home, you know, a family member [Aidan Connor] has ended their life before. So she’s absolutely, understandably horrified by it. And yeah, she won’t leave him alone once that happens.”

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The soap star went on to explain an upcoming scene between Liam and Maria, where Liam gives his mum an emotional goodbye — before searching for ways to kill himself.

“She’s touched by it. But she doesn’t for one second think it’s a goodbye from him. But as soon as Gary comes in and tells her what they’ve discovered on the school laptop, everything makes sense to her. That’s why she runs home as fast as she can to check on him,” she said.

“I think the thoughts going through her mind at that time is, ‘Has history repeated itself, has he done what Aidan did?’ And when she finds him at home, it’s just like, the floodgates just open, and it’s hugely emotional for both of them.”