Things are only getting darker for Theo on Coronation Street, and if actor James Cartwright is anything to go by, viewers should be seriously worried about what he might do next.

Fans will remember that Theo was responsible for Billy’s death during the Corridale crash, after deliberately strapping his seatbelt back in so he could have Todd all to himself. It was a chilling twist that proved just how far he’s willing to go when jealousy and control take over. And now, it seems that wasn’t a one-off.

Speaking about the drama set to unfold this week, James opened up about a tense birthday lunch that quickly turns sour.

‘Theo is controlling Todd’s money at this point, so he knows he’s got no money, and he’s being really manipulative.’ So when they all sit down for the birthday lunch, he’s already aware Todd doesn’t have the money to cover it. Still, he casually tells the table, ‘Come on, order what you want, don’t worry, Todd will get it,’ fully knowing what’s about to happen.

It’s a total set-up. When Todd’s card gets declined, Theo wastes no time stepping in with, ‘Oh, what are you like, ey? You can’t manage your money. Here, I’ll get it, don’t worry.’ In front of everyone, he makes Todd look incapable while acting like the generous one saving the day, ‘he’s trying to make it look like Todd’s useless, and without Theo, he’d be no good whatsoever.’

But it’s not kindness, it’s control. The whole thing is carefully planned to knock Todd’s confidence and make him feel like he can’t cope on his own. And once they’re away from prying eyes, Theo lays into him, proving the public ‘hero’ act was just that, an act.

What started as sly, opportunistic behaviour has now become much more deliberate. Theo’s working hard to chip away at Todd’s independence and shrink his world, making sure more and more of it revolves around him. ‘He’s trying to make him completely dependent.’

It’s a calculated humiliation, one designed not just to embarrass Todd, but to isolate him. And according to James, the situation only escalates once they’re behind closed doors.

Back at home, Theo loses it at Todd and the fight quickly escalates into something more sinister.

James explained ‘It’s like any violence; you become conditioned to it. It takes on a life of its own and becomes more extreme every time it goes unchallenged. Violence is an awful, awful thing; in a relationship, it’s just unthinkable. And it becomes another tool of control for Theo.’

‘There’s a big size difference there. Theo’s this larger, bigger muscular scaffolder; and to impose his physicality on him is a tool that he’s now using. It’s something that he’s using to his advantage to make sure he gets what he wants.’

It’s a disturbing portrait of coercive control, and a reminder that Theo’s violence didn’t begin and end with the crash.