Coronation Street’s new Todd Grimshaw teases his ‘battle-hardened’ take on the historic gay character
Gareth Pierce takes on the role of Todd Grimshaw on Coronation Street (Twitter)
New Todd Grimshaw actor, Gareth Pierce, has opened up about what it was like to play the “battle hardened” gay Coronation Street character.
Pierce will make his Coronation Street on Friday (October 9) as Todd, who became the show’s first ever gay character when he was first introduced in 2001.
Todd was played by Bruno Langley until 2017 – when the actor’s contract was terminated after he was accused of sexual assault by two women. His character was subsequently written out of the show, while the actor was ultimately convicted.
Three years later, writers have decided to bring Todd back into the mix – and the character will come face-to-face with his mother Eileen Grimshaw for the first time in three years in Friday’s episode.
Todd Grimshaw returns to Coronation Street ‘under a cloud’ says new actor Gareth Pierce.
“Todd is arriving under a bit of a cloud, as he’s got himself tied up with some Manchester gangs,” Gareth Pierce told Digital Spy.
“Like a lot of people when they’re in over their heads, he’s come home to his mum.”
Pierce revealed that Todd has been in “some fairly shady circles” during his three years away from Weatherfield and the character will be much-changed.
“It might be a slightly battle-hardened Todd that’s coming back, but definitely his love for those key people in his life is there and is absolutely genuine,” Pierce explained.
The actor said it is an “accepted convention” in soaps for a new actor to take on an established role – and he said it is a “great advantage” as he will be playing a character with a “complex backstory”.
It’s about taking Todd forward now and bringing what I can to the character – the qualities and instincts that make me unique as an actor.
“There are really complicated and nuanced relationships between all of these characters,” Pierce said.
“I watched some old footage and I wanted to drill down to what those core characteristics of Todd are. There’s definitely a bit of cheekiness and some arrogance on occasion.”
He added: “Since finding out I’ve got the role, now it’s about trusting the casting process, really. They’d seen I’d done my research, my homework and it’s about taking Todd forward now and bringing what I can to the character – the qualities and instincts that make me unique as an actor.”
“It’s worth adding that the fantastic team of writers, directors, producers and storyliners are still in place. They’ve helped to make Todd into such an iconic character and all those people are still in my corner now, so I’m excited.”
Bruno Langley, who originally played Todd Grimshaw, pleaded guilty to two sexual assault charges in Manchester Magistrates’ Court in 2017.
Speaking in court at the time, Langley’s solicitor claimed that the stress of playing a gay character on Coronation Street had contributed to his decision to sexually assault two women.
