Coronation Street’s Nathan Curtis is returning to the cobbles and it’s safe to say he’s not welcome. Now actor Chris Harper reveals it’s with good reason as his character hasn’t changed
In scenes that are scheduled to run in May, Chris Harper’s character Nathan Curtis will make a comeback to Coronation Street and confront his victim, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon).
The last time Nathan appeared on film was when he was imprisoned in 2017 for abusing and manipulating young females, including Bethany. To Bethany’s dismay, he was incarcerated but was later freed; she also finds out he works for the precinct.
Bethany becomes suspicious of his involvement in Lauren Bolton’s (Cait Fitton) disappearance after realizing how close he is, and she even goes so far as to accuse him of murder.
After seven years off-screen, Chris is returning to Coronation Street, but he has a warning about his character. He declared: “I don’t think Nathan has changed at all while he’s in prison; if anything, I think he’s become even more cunning and manipulative.
“He’s toughened, knows how to take a beating, and enjoys putting other people in hot water, so he plays people off against the police. The stakes are higher for him since he’s tougher, more cunning, and beginning again because he knows that one mistake would land him back inside. Instead of feeling remorseful, he is enraged at having been discovered.
But Bethany has matured since her imprisonment, moved away from Coronation Street, acquired a job in London, and will return on New Year’s Eve, 2023. Chris also says that Nathan is taken aback by that aspect of her.
Chris clarified, saying, “I believe Nathan attempts to stamp his authority and it doesn’t work as effectively as it did, which throws him off surprise for a little while. She has undoubtedly matured; she has experienced a great deal, but she has also been blessed with the support of her family and friends, which gives her a strength that enables her to somewhat withstand the serpent.
He won’t be able to push her over anymore, so he’ll move on very soon because he’s not used to that. However, I predict that he will be around and make himself known for a long period.
The last time Nathan was on the cobbles, viewers developed a strong and justifiable dislike to him. What is Chris’s opinion about playing him once more?
“The crew laughs and shivers at him at the same time because he’s so vile, and that’s really good fun,” he remarked. I enjoy the challenge of portraying the repulsive aspect of him, if I may say so myself.
“My rule was that we didn’t want Nathan to be forgiven in any way; he’s not a prodigal son, and he still acts cruelly and manipulatively, but the writers give him some really clever lines, and he can take offense at people in a way that I don’t think many other characters can.” Playing that is enjoyable, and the devil always seems to have the finest music.
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