ITV/STV Serial Drama Coronation Street has unveiled a chilling promotional trailer for a special single-storyline episode, airing on Monday 15 December 2025, that will examine the escalating Domestic Abuse suffered by Todd Grimshaw at the hands of his partner Theo Hawking.
The entire episode will be presented in an innovative "found-footage" style, filmed exclusively through the lenses of hidden cameras, CCTV, Dash Cams, video doorbells, and police body-worn cameras.
The narrative unfolds as a series of flashbacks revealing the events inside the couple's flat after police are called to the street following a reported Domestic Incident.
The narrative unfolds as a series of flashbacks revealing the events inside the couple's flat after police are called to the street following a reported Domestic Incident.
Director Matt Hilton, who helmed the landmark episode, described the approach as "a really bold idea to show it in this intimate and voyeuristic way that I'd never seen done before".
A keen follower of the true-crime genre, Hilton said he immediately saw the potential: "Something that would be intriguing for the viewer and make them feel uncomfortable in watching it all take place."
A keen follower of the true-crime genre, Hilton said he immediately saw the potential: "Something that would be intriguing for the viewer and make them feel uncomfortable in watching it all take place."
Gareth Pierce, who plays Todd, spoke of the unique challenges and rewards of the filming style.
"We were discovering how to play to that style of filming 'on the job', so it felt like an exciting collaborative adventure for all departments", he said.
Contrary to his initial expectations that the format might distance viewers, Pierce found the opposite to be true: "It actually brings us closer, like we're eavesdropping on our characters and seeing something we shouldn't. The bits I have seen are very effective and disorientating".
"We were discovering how to play to that style of filming 'on the job', so it felt like an exciting collaborative adventure for all departments", he said.
Contrary to his initial expectations that the format might distance viewers, Pierce found the opposite to be true: "It actually brings us closer, like we're eavesdropping on our characters and seeing something we shouldn't. The bits I have seen are very effective and disorientating".
James Cartwright, who portrays the abusive Theo, emphasised the responsibility felt across the production.
"Domestic Violence is real for a lot of people; it often escalates around Christmas, so there's a real level of respect on the set", he said. "You’ve got to tread that line between drama, storytelling and authenticity. It will be very challenging to watch for anybody who's been through it, or is going through something similar, but we also have to be careful not to rush it or you run the risk of doing a disservice to people who've been through it".
"Domestic Violence is real for a lot of people; it often escalates around Christmas, so there's a real level of respect on the set", he said. "You’ve got to tread that line between drama, storytelling and authenticity. It will be very challenging to watch for anybody who's been through it, or is going through something similar, but we also have to be careful not to rush it or you run the risk of doing a disservice to people who've been through it".
ITV/STV have released a new promotional video to advertise the episode.
Throughout the storyline, the Coronation Street team has worked closely with the charities Stonewall and GALOP to ensure authentic and sensitive portrayal of abuse within an LGBTQ+ relationship.
The episode is expected to be one of the most powerful and unsettling in the programme's 65-year history.
The episode is expected to be one of the most powerful and unsettling in the programme's 65-year history.
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