Fans of Coronation Street slam its ‘disgusting’ racism storyline on Max Turner
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Coronation Street fans have criticized the “disgusting” racism storyline in which a young Max Turner is radicalized by Griff Reynolds.
Max, who is played by Paddy Beaver in the ITV soap, has gradually been groomed and radicalized by Griff, who is played by Michael Condron.
But the 16-year-old character’s storyline has been “a step too far” for many viewers – after Ofcom received 139 complaints about his radicalisation.
Horrible: Coronation Street fans have criticized the ‘disgusting’ racism storyline in which a young Max Turner is radicalized by Griff Reynolds
Max’s girlfriend Lauren’s extremist ideology has also made him worse in his racist ways.
In one episode, Max watched an alarming propaganda film that further encouraged him to go against Muslims.
Following this, Lauren’s racist behavior came into question when Alya approached Max with concerns about this.
But he used the information in the film to defend her actions.
A lonely and vulnerable Max, played by Paddy Beaver, becomes the target of a gang of extremists who end up endangering his own life and the lives of his friends and family.
Groomer: Max, who is played by Paddy Beaver in the ITV soap, has been gradually groomed and radicalized by Griff, who is played by Michael Condron (pictured)
In an earlier episode on Oct. 28, viewers watched Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) confront eco-activist Griff (Michael Condron) and his mates when he discovered that the band they invited him to play was playing racist songs.
Toyah (Georgia Taylor) attacked Spider (Martin Hancock) about the company he keeps, unaware that he is an undercover cop who has infiltrated the gang to expose their activities.
On the following Monday’s (October 31) episode, Griff turned his attention to troubled Max, who has been a victim of persistent school bullies since losing his place at Weatherfield High.
Griff steps in and threatens to teach the bullies a lesson, gaining Max’s trust in the process.
Story: Coronation Street will ‘highlight the issue of the care of disenfranchised and impressionable young men’ in a hard-hitting storyline involving Max Turner
He invites Max to a Halloween party at his house and tells 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.
When Max first came into contact with Griff, he felt very isolated – but eventually he was asked to join the gang along with his girlfriend Lauren.
To “secure his loyalty,” Lauren has been sleeping with Max, causing him to fall deeper into the shameful ways of thinking.
Fans have been left in shock by the storyline which was quite extreme compared to the usual soap operas.
Confrontation: Viewers recently saw Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) confront eco-activist Griff (Michael Condron) and his friends when he discovered the band they invited him to play racist songs
Some took to Twitter to complain they were upset about it, and many complained they won’t be watching Coronation Street again.
One wrote: ‘I can’t look at Corrie anymore.
‘I’ve been an ardent fan for years, but Max’s radicalization goes a step too far. Sorry. I am gone.’
Similarly, another said, ‘Sorry #Corrie, I’m out. This Max storyline isn’t for me at all, Summer is so boring it’s beyond words and there’s just nothing that makes me want to watch it anymore.’
Shocking: Max becomes more estranged from his family The teen falls under the spell of Griff who uses Max’s video and computer skills to spread their racist propaganda
Someone else said, “This storyline with Max is terrible.
“I know it’s going on, but it’s really awful! #corrie #kroningsstraat.’
Another fan wrote directly to the character, “Max, open your eyes and smell the coffee, because Griff and Lauren are brainwashing and grooming you.”
Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod said of the storyline when it began: ‘All in all, 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.
Disgust: Fans have been left in shock by the storyline which was quite extreme compared to the usual soap operas
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?”
Similarly, someone else said, “Max, you’re smarter than this…I hoped.”
Written alongside a meme clip of a man saying, “I want this man gone,” someone else added, “Watching Griff get away with more and more crap and take Max with him.”
More Ofcom complaints came in when Max turned on a refugee from Iraq.
The TV regulator said the 139 complaints were “related to the racial violence storyline.”