Frank Foster (Coronation Street)
Encyclopedia
Frank John Foster is a fictional character
in the British ITV
soap opera
Coronation Street
, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield
. Frank is played by Andrew Lancel
and was introduced as a business associate of Carla Connor
(Alison King
). He first appeared during the episode airing on 20 January 2011.
(Kym Marsh
). Carla quickly tells Michelle that they need to impress Frank and make a good impression. Frank takes Michelle out for a meal to discuss their business arrangements, much to the anger of Michelle's boyfriend Ciaran McCarthy
(Keith Duffy
).
Frank returns in March 2011 for a business deal with Carla and meets Maria Connor (Samia Smith
), who has replaced Michelle, and Carla tells her that she is to go to his house to finalise the business deal. Maria complies and Frank cooks dinner for them both. Maria brings a sample of material for him to look at and he is impressed and tells Maria that he is willing to seal the deal. Whilst they sit and have a drink on his sofa, Frank tells Maria that he is attracted to her and tries to force himself on her. A distraught Maria escapes and Frank returns the following day and Maria refuses to acknowledge him. Carla later asks Maria why she is refusing to do the deal and she tells Carla about Frank's attack on her.
Tracy Barlow
(Kate Ford
) arranges a date with Frank but he stands her up when he has some business to deal with. Maria warns Tracy about Frank assaulting her, but Tracy refuses to listen and tells Frank about Maria's accusation. Frank then cancels the deal with Underworld, much to Carla's anguish as the factory had been relying upon his business. However, a smitten Tracy continues dating him and Carla manages to persuade him to do business, much to Maria's indignation. After he buys into the factory, Maria quits her job as P.A. Tracy eventually tires of Frank and deliberately keeps mentioning her ex Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson
) whilst on a date with him. Frank is not impressed and he finishes their relationship much to Tracy's secret delight.
Frank is now happy with the deal with Carla. He later offers to buy a share in Underworld, which Carla happily accepts. Everyone at the factory celebrates the factory's new victory, but Maria isn't happy with it. She later quits her job, and tells her boyfriend Chris Gray (Will Thorp
) about what had happened with Frank, which leads to Frank being physically threatened by Chris. Chris tells Maria that she should call the police on Frank, but she is wary about doing so, but ends up phoning them after a heated encounter with Carla. The police arrest Frank, but he is later released due to lack of evidence.
A few months later when Carla is informed of the death of her mother, Frank comforts her, and after she gets heavily drunk at the Bistro Bar and later the Rover's Return, Frank is told by Peter Barlow
(Chris Gascoyne) to look after her. He takes Carla back home, and lets her sleep on the couch. When they arrive for work the next morning together, gossip begins to spread, and Maria becomes convinced they are a couple. While in the Rovers, Chris confronts Frank and begins pushing him around, which leads to a fight, further turning into a big brawl in the pub. Some time later, Carla goes around to stay at Frank's and they kiss, later starting a relationship.
Frank proposes to Carla in the Rovers. After originally rejecting his offer, a confrontation with Peter, whom she really loves, causes her to change her mind, and later that day she tells Frank that she will marry him. In the weeks that follow, Frank begins to quickly plan their future together as husband and wife, even mentioning the prospect of them having children together. He makes a sale offer on a plush suburban house for them to live in but his offer is rejected, much to his disappointment and Carla's secret relief.
It soon becomes apparent that Carla does not really want to marry Frank and falls under increasing pressure after meeting his parents to celebrate the engagement. She gets increasingly intoxicated when she first meets Frank's parents at a meal and jumps into Frank's car, much to his horror. Frank gets into the car and tries to stop her but she furiously ignores his pleas and accidentally runs over Stella Price
(Michelle Collins
) before crashing into the Bookies. In order to save his fiancée, a quick-thinking Frank places an unconscious Carla in the passenger set to create the illusion that he was behind the wheel at the time of impact. When questioned by police he tells them that he was responsible and is lucky to escape the charges with points on his driver's license and a fine.
Carla eventually tells Frank the truth about her not wanting to go through with the wedding. However, Frank begins to become aggressive towards Carla, pinning her up against the will and hitting her twice. He eventually rapes her, claiming that she made him the person he is. Carla phones Maria Connor, who Frank previously tried to rape a couple of months earlier, and together they report Frank's sexual assault to the police. Frank is arrested for rape, but is eventually released on bail while the police hunt for evidence against Carla's claim. To anger Carla, Frank persuades his mother Anne to begin working at Underworld, as he is no longer allowed anywhere near Carla. Anne does everything in her power to see through Carla, disbelieving the claims against her son. Frank opens his own factory in the town, and persuades all of Carla's workers to join him instead of Underworld.
. But when Kym Marsh
, who plays Michelle, took an early maternity leave, the story was hastily re-written for Maria instead. Lancel admitted that filming the sexual assault scene was "uncomfortable", but hoped that Frank would become "one of the villains people love to hate". He described the character as "charismatic, charming and you’re never quite sure what he'll do next." He added "Don't mess with Frank. He doesn't worry about using force of a different kind to keep [Maria] quiet. He turns things around and says he could take her to court over what she is saying. That takes some ego. I'm not trying to justify what he did... He's a bad man. [...] Underworld is run by two beautiful women and he's got power over them as they aren't doing that well... he enjoys the power he now has over her from a business point of view." In August 2011, it was announced Frank's parents, Anne (Gwen Taylor
) and Sam Foster (Paul Clayton), would be arriving in September.
In June 2011, it was announced that Carla Connor
will reportedly be left fighting for her life after being attacked by her boyfriend. The factory owner, played by Alison King
, will be subjected to a physical and sexual assault by Frank Foster after he suspects she is cheating on him with Peter Barlow
. Carla will consider leaving Frank prior to the attack, but feels she owes him after he invested in her business and takes the blame for a car accident she is responsible for, The People reports."What Frank does to Carla will make the way she suffered at the hands of her psycho ex-husband Tony seem innocent," a source said. "Carla totally ignores all the early warning signs of Frank's twisted personality, even the fact that he has been accused of attempted rape. "But she ends up suffering terribly. The scenes will be, without question, the most violent seen on the cobbles. The bosses are hoping that they draw in huge audiences in the coming months, but they must tread carefully to make sure this is handled well. "The producers have spoken with domestic abuse charities and will make a point of advertising their helplines. They know that this storyline will distress people." The plot will be a prominent storyline over the summer and air after the 9pm watershed during a week of special episodes. Tracy Barlow
will offer to give Frank a positive character reference in court, while Peter's marriage to Leanne suffers
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the British ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield
Weatherfield
Weatherfield is a fictional town, based on Salford in North West England, which serves as the setting for the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street...
. Frank is played by Andrew Lancel
Andrew Lancel
Andrew Lancel is an English actor. He is best known for his current role as Frank Foster in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street, and formerly in his role as DI Neil Manson in The Bill.-Biography:...
and was introduced as a business associate of Carla Connor
Carla Connor
Carla Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. She is portrayed by actress Alison King. Carla was created by producer Steve Frost as part of the new Connor family....
(Alison King
Alison King
Alison King is an English actress. She has had major television roles as Lynda Block in the Sky One television series Dream Team, and as Carla Connor in Coronation Street since 2006.- Early life and education :...
). He first appeared during the episode airing on 20 January 2011.
Storylines
He is introduced as a new Underworld client who takes an interest in Carla's PA Michelle ConnorMichelle Connor
Michelle Sinéad Connor is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Kym Marsh, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 3 April 2006...
(Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh
Kimberley Gail Marsh is an English actress and singer.- Early life :Marsh was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and raised in Garswood, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside...
). Carla quickly tells Michelle that they need to impress Frank and make a good impression. Frank takes Michelle out for a meal to discuss their business arrangements, much to the anger of Michelle's boyfriend Ciaran McCarthy
Ciaran McCarthy
Ciaran McCarthy is a fictional character from the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street portrayed by Keith Duffy. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 August 2002, before departing in 2005. He returned in 2010 until Duffy temporary departed in January 2011 to go on Boyzone Tour,...
(Keith Duffy
Keith Duffy
Keith Peter Thomas Francis John Duffy is an Irish singer-songwriter, actor, drummer, dancer and television presenter. He began his career as part of Boyzone in the 1990s. In the 2000s, he achieved critical acclaim for his acting roles, particularly in soap operas such as Coronation Street and Fair...
).
Frank returns in March 2011 for a business deal with Carla and meets Maria Connor (Samia Smith
Samia Smith
Samia Maxine Ghadie , is an English actress best known for playing Maria Connor in the ITV Soap Coronation Street.-Early life:...
), who has replaced Michelle, and Carla tells her that she is to go to his house to finalise the business deal. Maria complies and Frank cooks dinner for them both. Maria brings a sample of material for him to look at and he is impressed and tells Maria that he is willing to seal the deal. Whilst they sit and have a drink on his sofa, Frank tells Maria that he is attracted to her and tries to force himself on her. A distraught Maria escapes and Frank returns the following day and Maria refuses to acknowledge him. Carla later asks Maria why she is refusing to do the deal and she tells Carla about Frank's attack on her.
Tracy Barlow
Tracy Barlow
Tracy Lynette Barlow is a fictional character in the British television soap opera Coronation Street. She is currently portrayed, since 2002, by Kate Ford, the latest in a series of actresses who have played Tracy at various ages...
(Kate Ford
Kate Ford
Kate Connerty is a British actress best known for playing the role of Tracy Barlow in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2002 to 2007. Kate returned to Coronation Street on Christmas Eve 2010....
) arranges a date with Frank but he stands her up when he has some business to deal with. Maria warns Tracy about Frank assaulting her, but Tracy refuses to listen and tells Frank about Maria's accusation. Frank then cancels the deal with Underworld, much to Carla's anguish as the factory had been relying upon his business. However, a smitten Tracy continues dating him and Carla manages to persuade him to do business, much to Maria's indignation. After he buys into the factory, Maria quits her job as P.A. Tracy eventually tires of Frank and deliberately keeps mentioning her ex Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson is an English actor. He is known for being a cast member of the British soap opera Coronation Street in which he has played Steve McDonald since 1989....
) whilst on a date with him. Frank is not impressed and he finishes their relationship much to Tracy's secret delight.
Frank is now happy with the deal with Carla. He later offers to buy a share in Underworld, which Carla happily accepts. Everyone at the factory celebrates the factory's new victory, but Maria isn't happy with it. She later quits her job, and tells her boyfriend Chris Gray (Will Thorp
Will Thorp
Will Thorp is an English actor.-Early life:Living in Frome as a youngster, Thorp attended a Catholic college in near-by Trowbridge, Wiltshire. He studied at Bath College and joined Musical Youth Theatre Company at an early age. Thorp was also a member of the National Youth Theatre...
) about what had happened with Frank, which leads to Frank being physically threatened by Chris. Chris tells Maria that she should call the police on Frank, but she is wary about doing so, but ends up phoning them after a heated encounter with Carla. The police arrest Frank, but he is later released due to lack of evidence.
A few months later when Carla is informed of the death of her mother, Frank comforts her, and after she gets heavily drunk at the Bistro Bar and later the Rover's Return, Frank is told by Peter Barlow
Peter Barlow (Coronation Street)
Peter Francis Barlow is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode aired on 15 April 1965...
(Chris Gascoyne) to look after her. He takes Carla back home, and lets her sleep on the couch. When they arrive for work the next morning together, gossip begins to spread, and Maria becomes convinced they are a couple. While in the Rovers, Chris confronts Frank and begins pushing him around, which leads to a fight, further turning into a big brawl in the pub. Some time later, Carla goes around to stay at Frank's and they kiss, later starting a relationship.
Frank proposes to Carla in the Rovers. After originally rejecting his offer, a confrontation with Peter, whom she really loves, causes her to change her mind, and later that day she tells Frank that she will marry him. In the weeks that follow, Frank begins to quickly plan their future together as husband and wife, even mentioning the prospect of them having children together. He makes a sale offer on a plush suburban house for them to live in but his offer is rejected, much to his disappointment and Carla's secret relief.
It soon becomes apparent that Carla does not really want to marry Frank and falls under increasing pressure after meeting his parents to celebrate the engagement. She gets increasingly intoxicated when she first meets Frank's parents at a meal and jumps into Frank's car, much to his horror. Frank gets into the car and tries to stop her but she furiously ignores his pleas and accidentally runs over Stella Price
Stella Price
Stella Price is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Michelle Collins. Collins' casting was announced in April 2011 and she began filming her scenes in May. The actress commutes from north London to Manchester for filming. Collins joined the show in...
(Michelle Collins
Michelle Collins
Michelle Danielle Collins is a British actress best known for her roles on television in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as Cindy Beale, Coronation Street as Stella Price, and BBC dramas Sunburn and Two Thousand Acres of Sky...
) before crashing into the Bookies. In order to save his fiancée, a quick-thinking Frank places an unconscious Carla in the passenger set to create the illusion that he was behind the wheel at the time of impact. When questioned by police he tells them that he was responsible and is lucky to escape the charges with points on his driver's license and a fine.
Carla eventually tells Frank the truth about her not wanting to go through with the wedding. However, Frank begins to become aggressive towards Carla, pinning her up against the will and hitting her twice. He eventually rapes her, claiming that she made him the person he is. Carla phones Maria Connor, who Frank previously tried to rape a couple of months earlier, and together they report Frank's sexual assault to the police. Frank is arrested for rape, but is eventually released on bail while the police hunt for evidence against Carla's claim. To anger Carla, Frank persuades his mother Anne to begin working at Underworld, as he is no longer allowed anywhere near Carla. Anne does everything in her power to see through Carla, disbelieving the claims against her son. Frank opens his own factory in the town, and persuades all of Carla's workers to join him instead of Underworld.
Rape storyline
The storyline which saw Frank sexually assualting Maria Connor was originally intended for the character of Michelle ConnorMichelle Connor
Michelle Sinéad Connor is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Kym Marsh, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 3 April 2006...
. But when Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh
Kimberley Gail Marsh is an English actress and singer.- Early life :Marsh was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and raised in Garswood, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside...
, who plays Michelle, took an early maternity leave, the story was hastily re-written for Maria instead. Lancel admitted that filming the sexual assault scene was "uncomfortable", but hoped that Frank would become "one of the villains people love to hate". He described the character as "charismatic, charming and you’re never quite sure what he'll do next." He added "Don't mess with Frank. He doesn't worry about using force of a different kind to keep [Maria] quiet. He turns things around and says he could take her to court over what she is saying. That takes some ego. I'm not trying to justify what he did... He's a bad man. [...] Underworld is run by two beautiful women and he's got power over them as they aren't doing that well... he enjoys the power he now has over her from a business point of view." In August 2011, it was announced Frank's parents, Anne (Gwen Taylor
Gwen Taylor
Gwen Taylor is an actress who has appeared in many British television programmes, including Z-Cars, Murder Most Horrid, Yes, Prime Minister, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders and Belonging...
) and Sam Foster (Paul Clayton), would be arriving in September.
In June 2011, it was announced that Carla Connor
Carla Connor
Carla Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. She is portrayed by actress Alison King. Carla was created by producer Steve Frost as part of the new Connor family....
will reportedly be left fighting for her life after being attacked by her boyfriend. The factory owner, played by Alison King
Alison King
Alison King is an English actress. She has had major television roles as Lynda Block in the Sky One television series Dream Team, and as Carla Connor in Coronation Street since 2006.- Early life and education :...
, will be subjected to a physical and sexual assault by Frank Foster after he suspects she is cheating on him with Peter Barlow
Peter Barlow (Coronation Street)
Peter Francis Barlow is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode aired on 15 April 1965...
. Carla will consider leaving Frank prior to the attack, but feels she owes him after he invested in her business and takes the blame for a car accident she is responsible for, The People reports."What Frank does to Carla will make the way she suffered at the hands of her psycho ex-husband Tony seem innocent," a source said. "Carla totally ignores all the early warning signs of Frank's twisted personality, even the fact that he has been accused of attempted rape. "But she ends up suffering terribly. The scenes will be, without question, the most violent seen on the cobbles. The bosses are hoping that they draw in huge audiences in the coming months, but they must tread carefully to make sure this is handled well. "The producers have spoken with domestic abuse charities and will make a point of advertising their helplines. They know that this storyline will distress people." The plot will be a prominent storyline over the summer and air after the 9pm watershed during a week of special episodes. Tracy Barlow
Tracy Barlow
Tracy Lynette Barlow is a fictional character in the British television soap opera Coronation Street. She is currently portrayed, since 2002, by Kate Ford, the latest in a series of actresses who have played Tracy at various ages...
will offer to give Frank a positive character reference in court, while Peter's marriage to Leanne suffers
External links
- Character profile at itv.comItv.comitv.com is the main website of ITV plc, the UK's largest commercial television broadcaster which operates 11 out of 15 regions on the ITV network under the ITV1 brand. The website offers on-line streaming, ITV archive, news, sport, entertainment, games, soaps, lifestyle, drama and an interactive TV...