Corrie’s Rowan ‘to lure in beloved resident’ to The Institute – but viewers ‘turn off’
Corrie fans are certain The Institute and Rowan Cunliffe are after a Weatherfield favourite.
The plot thickened earlier this year when the The Institute, a shady “self-improvement group” was introduced, with leader Rowan Cunliffe (Emhrys Cooper) at the helm, who’s had his sights set on Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson).
And recently, Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) was lured in too. After being charmed by Rowan, she considered ‘investing’ her £40k inheritance into the group’s pot. This week, she tried to get grandad Ken (William Roache) to release the funds left by grandma Deirdre. Ken was wary but eventually caved.
But then, viewers watched in horror as Amy was verbally battered at a “malware session” and bolted out in tears, reports the Express. She thought better of the investment, only to find Ken had already transferred the cash. Panic set in when she learned getting it back from The Institute’s parent company would be a nightmare.
Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and Tracy (Kate Ford) were fuming and went to the police, but got nowhere since Amy gave the money over freely. However, soap watchers are convinced that conman Rowan is set to entrap another Weatherfield resident into his dodgy dealings with The Institute.
Eagle-eyed fans have taken to the internet to share their predictions, suggesting that troubled teen Lauren Bolton (played by Cait Fitton) might be the next one in line for his manipulation. Lauren’s had a rough time of it lately on the Street she vanished after a nasty run-in with creepy lawyer Joel Deering (portrayed by Calum Lill), only to return up the duff with his child.
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Joel tried to kill her and the unborn child by drugging her, but his vile plot fell flat when she gave birth prematurely and little Frankie made it through. Joel thought he’d covered his tracks, but as is the way on the cobbles, his wicked ways were exposed.
Now, with Lauren being pegged as “the most vulnerable” character around, viewers are betting that it won’t be long before she’s sucked into Rowan’s shady scheme. One fan speculated on Reddit: “I could see this happening I’m hoping it doesn’t.”
The same fan added: “I have a horrible feeling Leanne and Rowan are going to try and convince Lauren to join the cult if the writers and producers go down that direction and have another man go after probably the most vulnerable and traumatised girl on the street I’m absolutely done.”
“However I don’t think Lauren would agree as she’s got enough on her plate, trust issues, her life is in danger, Frankie’s sick and most likely doesn’t have time to get up to level 100,000, but if the producers and the writers even consider that I see absolutely no point of trying to redeem Leanne after that.”
They also added: “Rowan likes to prey on people with severe trauma and vulnerability.” Echoing these sentiments, one viewer shared: “People are saying Lauren has no money like that would stop the cult. Amy technically had no money.”
“She had to liquidate her inheritance. Scams like the Institute will go for the vulnerable people regardless of money, suck up to the person and then make them take out a bank loan.” In agreement, another fan said: “I wouldn’t put it past Rowan.”
One more highlighted past plots, remarking: “Zoe (another vulnerable and traumatized blonde associated with Leanne back in the day) was swept into a cult and disappeared to America. If they’ve done it before, they could do it again. The writers love to repeat history.”
