BOSSES at Coronation Street are working on a gritty new storyline about racism after joining forces with the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.
Writers consulted with Baroness Doreen Lawrence about their plans, which will explore prejudice faced by the soap’s Bailey family.
It will tell the story of the generational divide on family attitudes towards racism and will show how Ed Bailey shrugs off a racist incident, which shocks sons Michael and James. The storyline will also explore how the prejudice makes Bailey re-evaluate his attitudes towards James being gay.
Ian MacLeod, Corrie’s producer, said it was interesting to explore the “generational gap” in the family’s attitude to racism: “The younger contingent think you should deal with it head on, and zero tolerance, where Ed and Aggie have a slightly more ‘keep your head held high and ignore it because you will never change these idiots’ minds, lads’ view. It’s about them exploring those generational differences ... and then ultimately reconciling with each other’s points of view a little bit.”
The story was originally due to be broadcast on Stephen Lawrence Day last month, but was delayed to May 18 because of TV schedule changes over coronavirus.
MacLeod said this meant they consulted heavily and ensured Lawrence was happy with it.
Her son was stabbed to death by a racist gang in London in 1993.
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