Coronation Street star Luca Toolan teases an ‘explosive’ twist in Mason Radcliffe’s return.
Luca plays the evil bully who’s been terrorising poor Liam Connor (Charlie Wrenshall) for months. Recently things reached crisis point for Liam when the bullying got so bad he contemplated suicide.
Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) recently appeared in court for having been found carrying a knife in a public place. Although he’d been set up by Mason, Dylan was sickened by his own part in the relentless bullying of Liam.
Speaking about the teen’s upcoming return to the cobbles, Luca, 20, said ‘I think there’s a lot of pent up anger between Mason and Dylan.
‘Mason is probably holding a lot of resentment towards Dylan and blames him for him being put behind bars because ultimately he was the one who confessed.
‘I think the initial scene will be quite an explosive one to watch and it was a really fun scene to film.’
He continued: ‘I think with Dylan specifically it depends on how he reacts towards Mason. I think Mason will come in with an open mind and won’t close the relationship off with Dylan entirely.
‘Deep down I think he wants to keep a little bit of the door open for him and if Dylan comes forth and tries to make amends then Mason could be receptive towards that. As for everyone else on the street, I think he’s just trying to do right now especially after having a tough time in jail and experiencing a tough life so far.
Mason is trying to keep his head above water and do anything he can to survive, if that means playing the nice guy or changing his life around then I hope he will do it.’
But does Luca himself think his nasty alter-ego has it in him to change? he’s not ruling it out.
‘I think anyone can change in the right environment and people around them. All it takes is one person, like Stu for instance, to wrap his arms around him and give that unconditional love which would change him.
‘Although there are times that Mason may “betray” people who care for him and maybe not live up to their expectations, it’s all about having that supportive network around him that will make such a difference.
‘ I think the future is promising for Mason and if he’s in that right environment, he will change. Then again, Mason is a very volatile character and explodes easily so who knows?
Luca previously told us that the reaction he’s had from fans is mainly very good, there are some down-sides to playing a villain.
‘There’s a very small minority of people who get invested so much that they can’t separate it from me, which I do understand to a certain extent because I think we all do it when we’re watching TV or movies when you hate a character, but I think it’s a step further to then go online and start “grrr-ing.” But I do understand it because a show like Corrie is so consistent and so close to life.’
He recounted one incident where he was recognised as Mason – even with his pants off.
‘I don’t know if this is TMI but I was literally in the gym and obviously I’m getting changed to go in the sauna and you have to take your pants off,’ he recalled. ‘So I’m there butt naked, and I hear someone go “Oi Mason!” I’m just sat there.
‘But I think it’s all tongue in cheek, people aren’t stupid.’
