EXCLUSIVE: Coronation Street’s Claire Sweeney teases Cassie’s downfall and says – ‘stakes are higher’
Trouble is brewing on the cobbles as Cassie Plummer is set to betray Ken Barlow in a sickening twist, with actress Claire Sweeney teasing dire repercussions for the troublemaker.
Cassie Plummer runs the risk of losing everything on Coronation Street as she sets out to drug Kevin Barlow to steal from him – and Claire Sweeney has hinted that she could even face legal trouble.
Tyrone Dobbs’ wayward mother has progressively found her mark in Coronation Street after troubled beginnings and has built a bond with the Barlow family and, more particularly, with Weatherfield stalwart Ken Barlow, played by William Roache.
ITV viewers will remember that Cassie, portrayed by Brookside’s Claire Sweeney was hired by Ken as his carer but, in recent scenes, her job was left in the balance – leading her to spike Ken with an antihistamine and steal money from him as she desperately tries to keep her comfortable situation afloat.
“She’s just gone into survival mode”, actress Claire Sweeney explains as she insists Cassie’s motivations aren’t personal. “She hates herself for it. She absolutely adores him and nobody’s ever shown her kindness like he has.” But her reasoning may not be welcomed in court, where Cassie could land as someone close to Ken is on to her tricks.
Corrie viewers have seen Cassie spike Ken with an antihistamine as she’s desperate to keep her comfortable life afloat (
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ITV)
“Tracy has been onto her from the beginning”, Claire recalls. “Tracy will go to any lengths to destroy Cassie. In a way, Cassie’s nicked her husband, although she’s with Tommy, she’s nicked her father’s affections, and taken her place in that house. We know Tracy is capable of some terrible things and she’s also met her match with Cassie. Cassie’s not a wallflower.”
Claire continues as she insists: “There are going to be consequences for her actions but I think the stakes are higher, because she was so happy with the Barlows, she’s part of a community, of a neighbourhood, she’s got friends, a lover.
“She adores Ken so you’re really going to see what she’s got to lose. When she first came in, you didn’t know. She’s losing a whole lifestyle.” When asked whether Cassie could be met with legal repercussions, Claire adds: “Potentially! It’s legal, emotional, everything.”
As her new storyline unravels on-screen, Claire also makes sure to have time for her 10-year-old son Jaxon while away from the cobbles. “The thing with Corrie, when you’re busy, you’re busy”, she shares. “But then it’s someone else’s turn on the roundabout and you get a bit of time out.
“What I do at the moment, when I’m busy, I just make sure we have fantastic weekends together. We’ve just been on holiday for the new year and it’s like mum on steroids.” Claire is thankful that Jaxon “understands” what her TV fame entails: “Jaxon is understanding. As soon as he was born, I became a working mum. A single working mum. And he understands that Mum has got to work.”