Corrie’s Maria and Alya are caught in the crossfire of armed police swooping in on an extremism gang
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Coronation Street’s Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) and Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) were spotted filming intense scenes for the ITV soap on Tuesday.
The characters were seen walking together when they were caught in the crossfire of armed police raiding a far-right extremist gang.
Maria and Alya were being watched from a car by gang leader Griff (Michael Condron) when police arrived at the scene and pointed guns at the vehicle.
Action: Coronation Street’s Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) and Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) were spotted filming intense scenes on Tuesday
Alderman Maria has recently supported local refugees, which has caught the attention of the gang.
Police slowly forced the gang members out of the red vehicle parked in the street with their hands in the air.
Griff seemed less than impressed as he held his hands up and slowly knelt on the floor at gunpoint in a black padded jacket and jeans.
Drama: The pair were seen walking together after a campaign when they were caught in the crossfire of armed police raiding a far-right extremist gang
Shocking: Maria and Alya were being watched from a car when police arrived at the scene and pointed guns at the vehicle before two men got out of the car with their hands up
Maria looked good in black skinny jeans and a dressy jacket, while elevating her stature with leather boots.
While Alya stunned in a green blouse and eye catching patterned trousers while layering a long beige jacket over it
While rehearsing scenes and in between takes, the pair warmly wrapped up in long red quilted jackets to keep warm and were pictured giggling with each other.
It comes as Max Turner, played by Paddy Beaver, 19, has been involved in the gripping new grooming storyline with the gang of extremists.
Dangerous: Maria supports local refugees, which has caught the attention of the gang
Max was targeted by the group of older men who will end up endangering his own life and that of his friends and family in the big storyline.
Last month, Griff turned his attention to the distressed Max, who had been a victim of persistent school bullies since losing his place at Weatherfield High.
Griff stepped in and threatened to teach the bullies a lesson, thus gaining Max’s trust.
He invited Max to a Halloween party at his house and told the rest of the gang that he could be useful to their cause.
As Max becomes more estranged from his family over the next few months, the teenager becomes captivated by Griff who uses Max’s video and computer skills to spread their racist propaganda.
Intense: As police forced the gang members out of the vehicle, Griff seemed less than impressed as he held his hands up and slowly knelt to the ground at gunpoint
Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod said: ‘Overall, Max’s story is about looking after a vulnerable teenager at a point where he feels most alienated and disenfranchised.
The story will encompass the ‘traditional’ recruiting techniques of extremist groups, and we’ll see Max personally befriend older, mentor-like figures who will instill in him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.
Then, later in the story, we’ll explore a very 21st century problem: teens radicalizing themselves by watching extreme content online.
“Ultimately, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families — what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who tend to take extreme views?
Keeping warm: While rehearsing scenes and in between takes, the pair warmly wrapped up in long red quilted jackets to keep warm
Rehearsal: Councilor Maria looked good under the bright jacket in black skinny jeans and elevated her body in leather boots
“For the story’s conclusion, David’s misjudged attempts to deal with Max will propel the story to a shocking and thought-provoking climax.”
Tim Jacques, Senior National Coordinator of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: ‘Coronation Street has a long history of raising awareness of challenging issues at the heart of communities across the UK. Unfortunately, the terrorist threat remains one of those very real concerns.
“Our casework shows that children and young people are vulnerable to radicalization and increasingly attracted to toxic ideologies through online spaces and platforms.
“We hope Max’s story will help explain why it’s so important to get support or advice if you’re concerned that someone you love is on a dangerous path. It really doesn’t have to be that way.’
If you’re worried that someone you know is radicalising, you’re not alone. Advice and support is available at www.actearly.uk.
On set: Samia and Sair were all smiling as they chatted between takes