'Coronation Street' Natalie Gumede interview: 'Kirsty has a dark past'

Coronation Street's domestic violence storyline continues tonight (May 24) as unstable Kirsty Soames lashes out at fiancé Tyrone Dobbs for a second time.

Kirsty flies into a rage this evening after Tyrone's misguided plan to throw her a surprise birthday party leads to her being publicly humiliated. Furious with her partner, Kirsty once again loses control - leaving their relationship in tatters.

In real life, things are looking brighter for actress Natalie Gumede - who plays Kirsty - as she is enjoying a busy time at work and recently picked up the 'Best Newcomer' prize at the British Soap Awards. Here, Digital Spy chats to Natalie about her ongoing storyline.

Congratulations on your 'Best Newcomer' victory! How did it feel to win?
"It was lovely and a real surprise, to be honest! I certainly wasn't expecting to win when I saw who else was in the category - I thought they were all fantastic. So to get the prize on the night was a real shock."

Corrie seems to have brought you a lot of attention in the past few months. Did you expect that when you signed up for the show?
"I don't think you can ever put an expectation on what any job will bring for you. Obviously with Coronation Street, the ratings are huge and it's on television five times a week, so you know there will be a difference in impact compared to other jobs. But I don't think you can ever really anticipate the level of it!"

So far, we've seen Kirsty become violent with Tyrone on one occasion. What kind of a reaction did you get after those scenes aired?
"It's actually been quite supportive. Obviously people aren't supporting Kirsty's actions, but so far the viewers have been very warm towards me. More than anything, they've just seemed intrigued to find out what's going to happen next.

"The sympathy for Tyrone is huge, so there will be a few dissenters among the public. But for the most part, the fans have just seemed interested to see where the storyline is heading, because it's not something that's talked about or discussed very often."



Is it true that you've known about this storyline ever since you joined the show?
"I was told at the very start, but I didn't know the full extent of it. I was given the words 'domestic violence' and I knew that it would be Kirsty hitting Tyrone, but I didn't know much else or Kirsty's character background. So since I started at Corrie, I've been going on a journey with Kirsty just like the viewers have!"

How did you feel about taking on such a difficult storyline?
"I was quite daunted, but I was thrilled that I was going to be able to explore something very different and play a dark character, as there's so much scope there.

"It's obviously a big challenge - you just want to do the story justice, so it can be quite scary to take on. But I think those roles are the best ones. You know that you're doing what you love when you're being challenged."

What can you tell us about Kirsty turning violent with Tyrone for a second time?
"Tyrone has invited Kirsty's parents to a surprise birthday party for her. At this point, Kirsty is six months pregnant so she's not looking for any fuss. When Tyrone goes ahead with the party and surprises her, she's not very happy about it!

"Things then get worse when Kirsty's parents turn up. I think you really see Kirsty's shock and how much it shakes her. She's tried to avoid the two of them for many years, particularly her father. Kirsty's parents don't know that she's engaged, that she's pregnant or that she's had to leave the police. So there are a lot of revelations that come to light in front of her factory workmates and other people!"



What happens next?
"Tyrone is shocked that Kirsty hasn't explained all of these things to her parents. Their dissatisfaction comes to light pretty quickly and they don't stay at the party for long. Later, once everyone has left, an argument ensues between Kirsty and Tyrone and she ends up shoving him up against the door…"

Do we find out exactly why Kirsty doesn't get along with her parents?
"Yes, it's explained pretty well in the following episode. Kirsty had an abusive childhood. Her father hit her on a regular basis up until her 18th birthday, when she left home. The inference is that she's had very little contact with her family since then.

"Kirsty has tried to forge a life for herself away from her family, which she's managed to do quite well until recently. But you can definitely see the link and the correlation between her relationship with her father and her relationship with Tyrone."

Will we see Kirsty's parents again?
"For now it's a one-off appearance, but I'm sure there's scope for them to return. It was really fantastic working with them both and it'd be nice to explore that side further."

Kirsty packs her bags and vows to leave Tyrone after the latest violence. Is she being genuine or just playing more games?
"I think it's genuine, as it's a time of real self-hatred for Kirsty. She can see her father in herself and she can't believe that it's come to this. Kirsty has spent so many years defending herself, and also defending her mother against her father, as he was violent towards both of them.

"Kirsty has been a victim of this and I don't think she believed she had a violent nature herself. So when it rears its ugly head, it's a real shock to her afterwards. She feels like she can't live with herself."



Have you had to do a lot of research for the storyline?
"Yes. There isn't too much information out there on female to male domestic abuse, but we have been looking at case studies and things like that. We've had to really rely on each other as a team - from directors to actors.

"I don't think you can ever have any real understanding of the issue unless you've gone through it yourself. It has been a bit of a leap to find a way to make it real, but hopefully we have achieved that."

As the issue isn't really discussed, are you hoping that Corrie will help to shine a light on it?
"Absolutely. With any difficult storyline or any subject that's raised in shows like Coronation Street, one hopes that it will help others. If we're able to talk about it in society, then it can only be a positive thing.

"I'm certainly not qualified to make a comment on it, but if it gives people any kind of reassurance that they're not alone in their experiences, then I think it can only help."

Do you think Kirsty could ever be redeemed?
"I think that's for the writers and the producers to decide! There's so much scope for it to go in several directions. I don't know how the story resolves itself, so I'm just going to enjoy what I'm doing for the moment."

Is it easy to switch off after filming such intense scenes?
"It does stay with you. Some people can easily switch off, but I think when you reach that level of hysteria, it takes a while to get back to normal. So I tend not to leave work until I've calmed down, so I can relax when I get home!"

Is must be a relief to also have some lighter scenes at the factory then!
"Definitely. I've always loved comedy anyway, so it's really nice to have a bit of light relief as well. I think that's what Corrie does so well - it has these heartbreaking storylines, but there are lots of laughs too. I think Corrie does that brilliantly and I'm very pleased to have a well-rounded character who has all those aspects."



Is there any chance the police could take Kirsty back?
"I haven't had any information about that - the indication has been that I now work in the factory and that's it! But stranger things have happened - I did quite enjoy wearing the uniform!"

Speaking of costume, what's it like wearing the baby bump?
"Very hot! Especially now that the weather's getting warmer, so I will be glad when the baby's finally here!"

> Read more 'Coronation Street' spoilers and news

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays on ITV1.