Coronation Street cop Emma Edmondson braves brutal on-screen beating

Aug 31 2008 By Steve Hendry

Coronation Street has already had to roll with the punches over plans to screen a violent, girl-on-girl fight.

Weatherfield policewoman Mel Morton and Abi Sharpe are brutally battered and kicked in the head by a female gang as they lie defenceless outside a bar.

The shocking scenes have been branded sensationalist and the show has been accused of cashing in on headlines about the violence on Britain's streets.

But Emma Edmondson - who plays Mel - has defended the soap's right to show them.

The 24-year-old said: "I know it's not nice to watch but I think it's very true to life.

"It's difficult because people watch the show because they want to have a certain amount of escapism. But there has to be a certain amount of current and topical issues or it wouldn't be the show it is.

"I was surprised by the reaction to it. I think it's an important issue to cover."

In the graphic scenes, to be screened next week, Mel and Abi (Rachael Elizabeth) are set upon by four young women in an unprovoked attack during a night out at a pub.

Mel is floored by the first blows and Abi is beaten to the ground as she tries to help her.

Emma said: "Mel initially tries to hit back. She has just finished her police training and she does do her best to defend herself.

"But in the end she just gets down on the floor and curls up into a ball. It's the safest thing to do, really. It's horrible."

While the hard-hitting scenes are unsavoury to watch, filming them was a great experience.

Emma said: "It might sound weird in the circumstances but from an acting point of view it was really enjoyable to do. It was all very safe.

"We did it on location and it took us a lot longer than it normally would for a scene of that length.

"We had a stunt co-ordinator in and rehearsed it over and over again.

"The girls who are playing the gang have a lot more to do than myself and Rachael. We saw them preparing the scene and it really spurred us on. We didn't want to come at it half-heartedly."

The controversy surrounding the scenes mean Emma is going out with a bang.

The fight scenes will be some of her last as she and the rest of her screen family, the kebab shop-owning Mortons - dad Jerry (former Brookside star Michael Starke), youngest sister Kayleigh (Jessica Barden) and Mel's twin Darryl (Jonathan Dixon) - leave Weatherfield.

Fellow Mortons Grandad (Rodney Litchfield), Jodie (Samantha Seager), and Kayleigh (Jessica Barden) had already quit.

The remaining family were axed in a cast cull which also spelt the end for Vernon Tomlington (Ian Reddington) and father-and-son bookies Harry (Jack Ellis) and Dan Mason (Matthew Compton).

Emma is disappointed to be going but grateful for the 18 months she has spent on Weatherfield.

She said: "I am sad to leave. But I didn't think I'd be here longer than six months initially so I'm just really grateful for the opportunity and I have learned an amazing amount."

Emma was told the news of her end with some other Morton cast members and while the family have not always struck a chord with viewers, they have stuck by each other through thick and thin.

So she was glad to have them around when she heard the family's time in the soap was up.

She said: "Not that I would wish for anyone else to be going with me but it does make it easier.

"We have come in, done our bit and now we are leaving together. It does take the edge off it a bit - it's not personal.

"It's something you are always prepared for.

You know there are no guarantees so it is always a possibility.

"I was disappointed because you always want the choice yourself. But I completely understand the reason behind it and we have really good storylines before we leave. I would rather have that than stay for the sake of it.

"But it is going to be odd not to be with the people who have played my family for the last 18 months, especially Johnny because we are really close having played twins.

"But he won't have the opportunity to stay away for too long because I'll just hound him.

"I'll miss all the family. That is the sad aspect of it. We've all stuck with each other throughout the last 18 months." Emma, who comes from Rochdale and has been acting since school, finished filming last week and is seek new roles.

But one show you won't see her in is The Bill, despite reports she had been signed up for a guest role in Sun Hill. She joked: "I read that too but I don't know anything about it. I have played a policewoman in Corrie and I once appeared in Crimewatch so I think somebody has maybe put two and two together to make five. There's nothing official. I'm just going to get out there and wait and see what happens."

Emma admits getting back out and auditioning for roles is both exciting and terrifying.

But she is hopeful her time on Coronation Street will help open doors.

She said: "It's a double-edged sword really.

You need that excitement and thrill of not knowing where the next job is coming from.

"It's not easy but that's what makes it so sweet as an actor when you do land a job. But it's scary too because I've got bills to pay and that's always an issue.

"I think it will be a good experience. I'm feeling excited about it. I hadn't done any TV work before I started Corrie and I've had the chance to work for 18 months on the show.

"I hope Corrie is a calling card that opens doors for me - we'll soon see!"

I was surprised by the furious reaction to the scenes. It might sound weird but it was enjoyable to film the attack