Coronation Street’s Rown Cunliffe is said to have his own dark past as he eyes up a possible new recruit for The Institute. As viewers of the ITV soap know, the new character has already charmed Leanne Battersby and only encouraged her investment in the group as her mentor.
Leanne met Rown back in March when she accompanied Simon Barlow to one of his seminars at the Chariot Square Hotel. Leanne was taken aback when the group mentor approached her and offered her some unsolicited advice as she dealt with Simon’s drink-driving and her partner Nick Tilsley’s reaction.
Since then, Leanne has become further involved in The Institute and it seems to be to the detriment of her relationship with Nick as well as her sister Toyah Battersby.
Spoilers have revealed that, Leanne tells Nick she is going to spend the day looking after Toyah but when Rowan calls asking her to attend the taster session for new recruits Toyah offers to go with her. As they arrive at the Chariot Square Hotel for the new recruits session, Leanne is delighted to see Amy amongst the attendees.
But while Emrhys Cooper, who plays Rowan, has said the character isn’t a typical ‘archvillain’ he did say that he is ‘willing to do whatever it takes’ to benefit himself and the Institute.
Talking to the Manchester Evening News and other press, the actor said: “He believes in it 100pc because The Institute’s been good to him. It changes his life and in a way saved his life so he believes in the cause, justifies his actions for the greater good and he thinks that the training and the tools and joining The Institute is the right thing for Amy…”
Asked what Rowan’s capable of, as the mask can occasionally slip when dealing with Nick and Toyah, Emrhys laughed: “He’s capable of a lot. I think he’s willing to do whatever it takes.” He added: “We’re going to learn – I can’t exactly say what – about what he’s doing in the past so he’s willing to go very far in protecting his mission and he’s not going to let anything get in his way!”
Asked if he enjoys playing Rowan, the former Desperate Housewives star replied: “I’ve honestly had the best six months playing Rowan. I’ve spoken in other interviews [about how] my parents were victim to Rowan-type characters when they were in a cult 22 years ago and I’ve been around this type of character, not necessarily in a cult, but in life, I’ve experienced conmen and I really love how the Corrie writers are doing this realistically.
“He’s not an archvillain. Normally when you think cult leader you think a guy in a white robe, being an archvillain, and I think it’s very realistic how he [Rowan] is relatable and charming and that shows how easily people could be potentially manipulated because he’s not an obvious villain.”
Despite his actions, Emrhys would like Rowan to stick around on the cobbles and has called for a redemption arc for the character. “It’s an interesting duality with Rowan because on one hand, he wants to help people and he does believe in The Institute,” he told us. “But on the other hand, he’s taking advantage and I think he’s pretty aware of both. But I think he’d like to stick around and he sees a lot of potential in opening a resource centre or [recruit] more victims.”
He added, saying he’d like to see Rowan unmasked and showing his darker side: “I think it’s really interesting taking off the mask and finding out more about him and his past. I’m excited and looking forward to seeing him unravel, that’s what’s fun. We’ve seen a very charming facade but underneath that there is something quite dark and sinister lurking in the shadows that I’m excited to bring out.”
Emrhys also later shared when asked whether he’s looking forward to the penny dropping for Leanne and confronting her mentor: “I hope it’s dramatic, he deserves his comeuppance. Bring it on!” He added: “I’d like a redemption storyline for Rowan. It’s be fun to have an arc where we see some kind of growth. Whether that’s on the cards I don’t know but it would be fun. I’d like to think there’s a little good in him and maybe he’s brainwashed as well.”
