'Coronation Street' rape aftermath is disturbing, says Andrew Lancel

Coronation Street star Andrew Lancel has revealed that there are "disturbing" scenes in store in the aftermath of Frank's attack on Carla.

Frank raped Carla in Monday night's double bill of the soap after she dumped him on the eve of their wedding. He later ran off into the night, leaving Carla to call Maria (Samia Smith) for help.

Carla (Alison King) reports Frank to the police in this evening's episode, but the businessman soon shows the full extent of his manipulative nature when he returns to the flat and calmly protests his innocence.

Speaking of filming the rape storyline, Lancel told Daybreak today: "We worked hard on pretty much every line, every nuance - we almost choreographed it, for want of a better word. And it was very quiet. It's a very happy set, is Corrie, but there was a lot of silence that day. It was tough to do.

"But some of the scenes that followed, stuff that's on tonight, was just as hard really - with the twists and the deceit that Frank has. I found them really quite disturbing.

"He just breezes back in as if nothing's happened. They were the hardest scenes to do."



Lancel added that his time at Coronation Street has been a positive experience despite his challenging storyline.

"I've had a great deal of support from Corrie, from home and from my agent - everybody," he explained. "But, it sounds crazy - it's also been a lot of fun working on the show. We work very, very hard and we're able to play hard as well.

"It's been a challenge, but that's what I wanted to do and it's been a gift as an actor - the baddies are always the great roles. I just wanted to make him not a clichéd baddie. There's a long way to go with him. This stuff that's on tonight and the rest of the week, it's disturbing but it's fascinating at the same time."

Coronation Street continues tonight at 7.30pm on ITV1.

> Read Digital Spy's recent interview with Andrew Lancel about the storyline
> Coronation Street Maria will support Carla after rape ordeal, says Samia Smith
> Coronation Street Leanne will fight for Peter after Carla shock, says Jane Danson
> Read more Coronation Street spoilers and news

Watch a video preview of tomorrow night's Coronation Street episode below: