Amy will be raped by Aaron in an upcoming episode of the ITV soap (Pictures: ITV)
Coronation Street recently revealed that an upcoming new storyline will tackle the difficult issue of non-consensual sex. The story will focus around Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) and Aaron Sandford (James Craven), who share a drunken kiss.
After a row with Aaron’s girlfriend Summer (Harriet Bibby) on a night out, the two flatmates return home and carry on drinking. As things move to the bedroom, Amy starts to feel sick and moves away from Aaron, but he continues to kiss her and makes the decision to have sex with her.
Amy wakes the next morning and realises that something happened, and gradually is horrified to realise that Aaron had sex with her without her consent.
The hard-hitting story is due to begin on March 3, although the repercussions will unfold over time and show the effect this has had on Amy and also on her family and friends as she begins to process what happened. The police will eventually become involved as Aaron has to face up to the consequences of his actions.
Elle Mulvaney has spoken of the massive responsibility she felt when taking on this storyline.
‘It’s huge to be a young actress on the show and to be given a storyline like this because it shows how much faith the team has in us, which in turn gives us the confidence to tackle the story,’ she commented. ‘Initially when I was given the storyline I was quite anxious to take it on as it’s such an important issue and we wanted to get it right.’
Her former co-star Jack James Ryan, who played Amy’s boyfriend and reformed drug dealer Jacob Hay, has been effusive in his praise for both Elle and for James Craven for their work on this story.
‘Honestly, the pride I have for these two for tackling such a multifaceted and deeply delicate topic knows no bounds,’ he said on Instagram.
Jack shared a wonderful message on his social media (Picture: Instagram/Jack James Ryan)
‘They have worked tirelessly to bring this story to your screens and have really put the work in outside of studio to deliver this story with clarity, nuance and sensitivity. Proud too of @coronationstreet for giving this topic the air time it so rightly deserves headed up by two fantastic actors who deserve to tell it. I’ll be tuned in.’
His character Jacob left the Street in January following death threats from his father Damon (Ciaran Griffiths). Jack James Ryan has said he felt it was the right time to leave the show. ‘Apart from a wedding and the tram crash, I feel like he’s done it all in two years! So, it just felt like the right time to leave the show,’ he said, revealing that his next acting project is about to get underway.
Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod echoed the actor’s praise of Elle and James, saying, ‘The narrative will also be an engrossing, long-running examination of how Amy and Aaron deal with what happened that night and will give actors Elle Mulvaney and James Craven the chance to showcase their considerable skills.’
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The show has worked with the Schools Consent Project to create a story that highlights many of the issues around consent. It’s hoped that the story will open up conversations between people about consent, awareness and respect.
Their director, Monica Bhogal, said, ‘We are delighted to have been consulted on this storyline which conveys important messages around the topic of sexual consent with care and sensitivity. Its inclusion in such a wide-reaching show emphasises the crucial need for consent conversations and the power of consent education.’
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Jack played Amy Barlow’s former boyfriend, Jacob Hay.
