Coronation Street’s Gareth Pierce Explains Why Todd Is Staying with “Genuinely Scary” Theo
Coronation Street actor Gareth Pierce has opened up about his character Todd Grimshaw’s abusive relationship with Theo Silverton, revealing why Todd feels unable to walk away despite the escalating violence and control.
A Harrowing Storyline Unfolds
The ITV soap has spent months exploring Todd’s increasingly dangerous relationship with Theo, whose manipulative and violent behaviour has left viewers deeply concerned. What began as a passionate romance has turned into a cycle of emotional abuse, isolation, and intimidation — with Todd caught in the middle, trying to rationalise the chaos.
In recent episodes, Theo’s behaviour spiralled further, culminating in a shocking scene where he verbally abused Todd and shoved a kebab in his face. The disturbing moment marked a chilling low point in the storyline, one that Pierce described as “genuinely scary” to film.
Why Todd Can’t Leave
Speaking about Todd’s mindset, Gareth Pierce explained that his character’s empathy and self-reflection have become part of the problem.
“Some of the self-improvements Todd’s made over the last couple of years have led him to feel like there’s hope for change in other people,” he said. “That part of him is overriding his instincts at the moment, and he’s adjusting, trying to make room for Theo to move the relationship to a healthier place.”
Todd’s desire to “fix” Theo and keep the peace has been compounded by gaslighting — a common tactic in abusive relationships. “Todd wants to seem like he’s the reasonable one,” Pierce added. “He’s been the victim of some pretty expert gaslighting. Anger and frustration have become off limits for him.”
Despite the growing fear, Todd still believes there’s love buried somewhere beneath Theo’s cruelty. “He’s definitely scared of him physically,” Pierce admitted, “but there is still love there somewhere, and Todd feels like he can maybe anticipate or fix Theo.”
Filming the Abuse Storyline
Pierce also spoke about the challenges of portraying such a distressing storyline while protecting his own mental wellbeing.
“You have to find a way to play it truthfully while also protecting yourself and your stress levels,” he explained. “James [Cartwright, who plays Theo] and I still try to have a lightness between scenes, but we’re both aware of the seriousness of what we’re covering.”
The soap is set to continue exploring the effects of domestic abuse during the festive period, with a special format-breaking episode focused entirely on Todd and Theo — promising to shine a powerful light on the psychological realities of coercive control.
Raising Awareness Through Storytelling
By delving into the complexities of love, fear, and manipulation, Coronation Street aims to highlight the devastating impact of domestic abuse — especially within same-sex relationships, a topic rarely depicted on mainstream television.
Pierce’s sensitive portrayal has already earned praise from fans and advocacy groups for helping to raise awareness and spark important conversations.