Todd's Plan
Todd's always been a master schemer but can he use his powers for good? We spoke to Bruno Langley about whether Todd's going to get away with lying to the police.
Why did Todd come up with the plan to say that Tony killed Callum?
To protect Sarah. Todd thinks, given her present state of mind, that Sarah must have done it. Also possibly Jason – both of them together. Todd wants to protect them both.
So, Todd’s got a whole story worked out?
Yeah – he’s basically doing it to protect Sarah. Obviously onscreen they’ve been quite close recently, talking a lot about the past and stuff. He feels very protective towards her, especially now he’s the god father of her son Harry. So he’s come up with this weird plan in his head that makes sense to him and he kind of digs himself in – once he’s gone and told the police it was Tony.
He tells the police that Tony confessed to him the night he did it. Todd then tells the police that he hadn’t believed Tony until the body was discovered. Tony was working on the extension so the story makes sense butTodd’s not sure that the detectives believe him.
What does Jason think?
It’s strange – he doesn’t come down on one side or the other but I think in his heart he knows his dad didn’t do it. He’s a bit annoyed with Todd for telling everyone it was Tony but I don’t think that he fully understands Todd’s motives which seem to Todd to be good and right.
Can you talk through the scene where Sarah did sort of confesses – at least Todd takes it as a confession?
She’s kind of rambling in a scene. She kicks Todd out but he keeps coming back. She keeps saying ‘It’s all my fault’. He knows she’s heavily involved. I think Todd suspects David of actually killing Callum – David can get sort of twisted.
This storyline puts the two families against each other again. Are you enjoying that?
Todd’s kind of on the fringes. He’s kind of the peacemaker at the moment which is an odd situation for Todd to be in. There’s so much history between the two families that it might flare up at any moment, that tension is always there.
Have you learnt much about flower arranging now you’re working in Preston’s Petals?
I’ve no idea about flowers! But at the start, as Kate Ford pointed out, Tracy and Todd should be quite bad at it. She did train as a florist a long time ago but Todd hasn’t a clue. I personally don’t know anything either. I know how to buy them but that’s all. It’s hard because you’ve got to make it look like you know what you’re doing.
Do you like Todd and Tracy’s relationship?
Yeah, I love it. They’re both quite interesting characters. They say things to each other that they wouldn’t say to anyone else. Cutting, quick things. They’re also quite bitchy together. They don’t take offence when the other one says something.
They’re really horrible to each other but they don’t mind. At the end of the day, she’s given him a job and he feels good about that.
Does he respect her?
He can’t believe some of the things she gets up to. Todd’s done some outrageous things but even he can’t believe some of the stuff she’s done. She’s on another level. He finds that quite impressive.
Can we ask you about theTodd/Phelan relationship?
Todd’s not taken in by Phelan. There’s a line Todd says to Phelan – I’m not going to let you screw over this family like you did to the Windasses. Again, Todd’s protecting his family, mainly his mum. He can see it a mile off but Eileen’s obviously blinded by whatever it is – love or affection.
Todd’s scar. . . How much earlier do you have to come in to get it done in make-up?
About 10 mins. I’m not sure that you can see it much any more. You don’t see it unless it’s outside and a close-up.
How do you feel about Ryan Thomas leaving?
Mixed feelings about it. I’ve been away and come back again while he’s never left. He’s been here for the duration. I’m a bit sad about it, although I’m excited for him at the prospect of doing different stuff. He’s had the most fantastic training at Corrie – as we all have.
You left and came back but did leaving help you grow as an actor?
More as a person actually. I learnt the discipline of the theatre. You can’t be late and you’ve got to be on the ball every night. The audience has bought tickets, they’ve paid to come and see you, and you don’t want to let them down.
I left Corrie in 2005 and then I became a dad – that was very life changing. Parenthood makes you less selfish – and this industry can make you quite self-centred. Kids are the perfect antidote to that. Also going out and meeting other actors makes you see things differently. You learn from them.