Coronation Street star reacts to character's disturbing secret and killer reveal

Joel has portrayed himself as a champion for the community and a wholesome individual, however, he has been leading a deceitful existence. Actor Calum Lill has been given the green light to disclose his experience acting as Joel's doppelganger.

Even though Joel's wrongdoings will eventually catch up to him, Lill is fully committed to handling the situation with care and respect. She's dedicated to examining the matter in a sensitive manner.

ITV recently shared an interview where Lill revealed that he was aware of Joel's actions for a year. He shared his approach to preparing for the role of such a wicked character and wondered how his grandmother would respond to the truth about Joel.

Before the consequences of the big reveal in Coronation Street, you have the opportunity to read the complete conversation with the celebrity below.

What are your emotions now that the general population has come to learn of something that you've been aware of for a significant amount of time?

I am frightened but also relieved. I have been aware of this for more than a year. In May of last year, I received information stating that Joel is a likable person with a sinister side. During the screen test, they informed me of Joel's actions. I was shocked by the revelation that I would be portraying such a wicked character. For the next year, I would have to pretend to be a bad person without arousing suspicion.

Did you have an idea about the duration at that moment?

"Indeed I did. During my initial meeting with the producer, he informed me that they had already drafted a storyboard for each month. While certain aspects may be subject to change, the overall storyline spanned the entire year with a significant amount of details already established - which is quite uncommon."

What were your emotions?

When working on this project, I felt a significant amount of pressure to do a good job and avoid using overused or predictable plot devices because the experiences portrayed in the story have happened to real people. To ensure accuracy, I consulted with charities and conducted extensive research, including watching documentaries and reading psychological articles. I was determined to create a genuine portrayal of the subject matter, as I would never want to upset or offend anyone who had gone through similar situations by presenting something that felt artificial or inauthentic on screen.

I also had a strong sense of security as there was a lot of behind-the-scenes effort put into developing this character and storyline. Everybody was fully committed to producing something of high quality and that we could be proud of.

Did you feel the need to ensure that this character was amiable, friendly and captivating so that we wouldn't begin to suspect that there was something else about him?

I had to be careful when creating the character, Joel. I didn't want to make him so likable that it seemed unrealistic that he could commit his heinous deeds. To ensure accuracy, I studied documentaries and reports on people like him. I noticed a common thread - these individuals were often charming and persuasive, just like Ted Bundy. To better understand Ted's behavior, I spent hours watching footage of him to observe his demeanor and speech patterns. Although Joel is not directly based on Ted, I wanted to grasp the true nature of someone who appeared so genuinely pleasant but was capable of such evil. In reality, Joel's charm is only a mask.

's hit drama, Coronation Street, is known for its talented cast and gripping storylines. One fan-favorite character is Joel Deering, played by the talented Calum Lill. As an established actor, Lill brings depth and authenticity to the role of Joel, a complex and often troubled character. His performances have earned him praise from both fans and critics alike, solidifying his place as a key member of the Coronation Street cast. Rewritten: The renowned television show, Coronation Street, features a skilled and engaging cast, with Joel Deering being a beloved character among the fans. This role is portrayed by the highly capable actor, Calum Lill, who delivers a nuanced and authentic performance of the character's intricate personality that is often fraught with difficulties. His acting prowess has garnered him admiration and acclaim from both viewers and reviewers, legitimately earning him a significant part of the show's success.

Did it assist you to have the misleading hint of the former wife, separation, and concealed daughter from Dee-Dee to portray him in a way that suggests he may not be as kind as he appears?

I believe that although some individuals were misled, it has caused other viewers to doubt his credibility as he has already harmed our dear Dee-Dee. Learning about his past has been advantageous in comprehending his mindset, values, and perspective on the matter.

How did it feel to keep that secret hidden and how did individuals react when you were in public? Did anyone suspect anything about Joel?

It hasn't been easy - not even my family was aware of my role. They found out when the viewers did. I don't believe they had any hints, as they didn't think I had it in me to play an evil character like Joel. Recently, while we were having Sunday dinner, my family members were discussing the various characters and their theories about who the culprit could be. To my surprise, each one had a different theory, and none of them guessed that it was my character. They never suspected me at all. Although they knew some people had doubts about me online, they believed in me!

What will be your grandma's response when she finds out you shared on your online platform that she texted you with a request to be kind to Dee-Dee and expressed her distress about Joel's marriage?

I'm not sure, but I'm planning on watching it with her. It will be like a scary movie and she might freak out. She could even call the authorities or want to contact Dee-Dee. Despite knowing my girlfriend for four years, she is more interested in Joel and Dee-Dee.

Currently, we find ourselves in a circumstance where the viewers are aware, but none of the people in Weatherfield are. What lies ahead for Joel? Does he have any concerns?

In my opinion, he seems to be calculating the potential number of unresolved issues and devising strategies to handle them. As a defender, he is well-acquainted with the legal system and aware of the significance of reasonable doubt. It's crucial for him to disprove any evidence against him. Nevertheless, this is a novel experience for him. Perhaps, he has found himself in a similar scenario earlier, violating the law and mistreating others. However, he appears genuinely troubled this time around. He needs to ensure that Nathan is held accountable, so nobody ever suspects Joel's involvement.

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What are his thoughts on being Nathan's representative?

It was incredibly fortunate. He happened to be the solicitor assigned to Nathan's case on the exact day he was questioned. A stroke of good luck that he was in the right place at the right time, representing a man falsely accused of a crime. When Nathan's car was found to contain Lauren's hair, he was just as surprised as Nathan. He wasn't particularly invested in Nathan's innocence, but he realized this could be the key to freeing Roy and relieving Dee-Dee's stress. He genuinely cares for her and struggles with her worry over Roy's imprisonment. It seems like this problem may finally be resolved.

Is there any sense of remorse in him for wrongly accusing an innocent man of his own wrongdoing?

He is not affected by his actions. I believe that he can rationalize everything he has done in his own mind. In his mind, he has never done anything that is wrong. He can justify all of his actions. Nathan is a person who intentionally builds a relationship with someone in order to abuse them sexually. He is the worst kind of person. However, Joel does not see it that way. He thinks of himself as someone who helped a girl and then had a sexual relationship with her. Then, he believes that the girl somehow provoked him and got what she deserved. In his mind, his actions are justified and he can separate his wrongdoings from Nathan's actions. According to Joel, because Nathan has done worse things, it is acceptable for him to take the blame for this incident.

What factors contribute to Joel's personality and behavior?

"He has a complicated view of women where he idolizes certain individuals like Dee-Dee while devaluing and mistreating others, specifically young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. When he encounters these vulnerable individuals, he swoops in with his power and wealth to exert control and manipulate them emotionally. He justifies his actions as helping these girls, but it's a harmful pattern that he repeats. The cycle involves feeling guilty after engaging with these individuals and then trying to make it up to Dee-Dee, but eventually succumbing to the temptation again. This destructive behavior continues, and we'll soon see evidence of it in the upcoming weeks."

's latest crime drama, "Truth and Lies," showcased the wrongful accusation of Roy as the killer of Lauren. However, the audience was shocked to discover that Joel was the actual perpetrator. This twist in the plot kept viewers on the edge of their seats and guessing until the end of the episode.

In the upcoming week, will he be proposing to Dee-Dee? Does this align with his behavior?

In my opinion, he's proposing because he believes there's a real chance he will be caught and punished for something that he feels he didn't do. He's going through a difficult time, and the way he treats Dee-Dee is authentic. He wants to marry her because he genuinely loves her. The proposal is partly due to his guilty conscience, and partly because he's worried he could end up in jail and lose her forever. He's using this gesture to express his love for her and to communicate how much she means to him.

For how much time do you speculate he can persist in concealing himself out in the open? Will he eventually make any blunders?

In simpler terms, the longer the culprit stays in hiding, the more likely he is to slip up and make a mistake. He has been successful so far, but he has not been caught yet. However, he is getting more anxious and paranoid about getting caught. Even the slightest suspicion or mistake could ruin his life, including his job, relationship, and freedom. When he gets anxious, the higher the chance something could go wrong.

Joel is an extremely intricate character with multiple sides. Are you excited to receive the scripts and find out what he'll do next? How much do you relish portraying Joel?

I am really excited to receive the scripts, but I am so impatient that I cannot wait for them. Instead, I request the producer to narrate the story to me and fill me in on all the details. Since July of last year, I have been writing a book about everything that has happened with Joel until now. My main goal is to comprehend what is going through his mind. When I read some of the scripts, I am shocked by Joel's boldness in continuing his relationship with Dee-Dee.

This section of the blog is truly amazing. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect chance to work with ITV and Coronation Street. I've never been this occupied before, and I've never had to memorize so many lines, but I've also never been this content and gratified.

Are you wishing for a delay in his capture, perhaps? So you can relish your work a bit longer while he remains hidden in plain view?

I wish that Joel is skilled in concealing himself because I love working here, but I am aware that eventually the truth will come to light for the sake of fairness.

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