Coronation Street star Emhrys Cooper, who plays cult leader Rowan Cunliffe, has defended his on-screen character.

Coronation Street’s Emhrys Cooper has opened up about his character Rowan Cunliffe’s involvement in the soap’s contentious cult storyline.

Emhrys, who joined the show earlier this year, portrays the charismatic leader of The Institute, a so-called “self-improvement group” that preys on the vulnerable to swindle them out of money.

The plot thickened when Leanne Battersby, played by Jane Danson, was drawn into the cult, causing alarm for her fiance Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) and sister Toyah Habeeb (Georgia Taylor). The group went as far as creating a chilling AI version of Leanne’s deceased son for her to interact with.

Climbing the ranks within the cult, Leanne remained unaware of Rowan’s sinister motives. Recently, Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) also took an interest in The Institute, lured in by Leanne. Rowan managed to charm Amy into investing her £40,000 inheritance into the organisation.

However, after enduring a traumatic “malware session” where she was subjected to verbal abuse while blindfolded, Amy reconsidered her commitment to The Institute.

Rowan’s caused plenty of drama (Image: ITV)

Yet, she was hit with the harsh reality that retrieving her investment would be challenging, as the funds had already been transferred to the parent company of the cult, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The storyline has certainly stirred up controversy, with some viewers dubbing it as “garbage.”

One disgruntled viewer posted on X: “I’m sorry but the Coronation Street cult storyline just has to end. It’s gone completely beyond the joke. It’s one of the worst things ever.” Another wrote: “Hurry up and end this storyline it’s absolute garbage.”

However, actor Emhrys has come to Rowan’s defence, acknowledging that his character has been “brainwashed” too.

Speaking on This Morning on Wednesday (September 4), Emhrys explained: “I think he [Rowan] went through a lot, and struggled with a lot of issues in his twenties, and discovered the The Institute.”

“And it did save his life so he’s been essentially brainwashed. But I like to think there’s some good in him that he does want to help, but he is after one thing: money.”

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX