Coronation Street fans have been left stunned by Cassie Plummer’s (Claire Sweeney) increasingly devious actions, particularly her manipulative behavior toward

the legendary Ken Barlow (played by William Roache). For months, she has been secretly stealing from his credit card and lacing his tea with antihistamines.

However, things reached a breaking point when Ken caught her in the act and she was forced to confess everything. The shocking revelation led to her being cast out

by those closest to her. To make matters worse, Ken suffered a heart attack due to her actions.

Despite the dire consequences, actress Claire Sweeney insists that Cassie never intended to cause harm. According to Sweeney, Cassie genuinely cares about Ken. Their bond, she explains, is reminiscent of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady—Ken has taught Cassie about art, wine, and even taken her on trips, fostering a deep affection between them. But for Cassie, survival is instinctive. After Ken expressed that he no longer needed her, she panicked.

Cassie’s tumultuous past has shaped her into a survivor. With a history of abuse, neglect from her mother, and a past involving prostitution and substance abuse, she has always relied on herself to get by. While she has had people step in to save her from her lowest moments, she has learned that deception is sometimes her only means of security. Her intention was never to harm Ken but rather to keep him slightly dependent on her.

Sweeney found it particularly challenging to understand Cassie’s compulsive petty theft. While drugging Ken was an extreme act, it was the small, everyday acts of stealing that felt more personal and difficult to justify. Cassie is a street-smart woman who simply cannot stop herself. She has lived a life where taking small things here and there—whether it be a hair straightener or an air fryer—feels like second nature. Sweeney admits that embracing this part of Cassie’s personality was the hardest aspect of the role.

Despite her manipulative tendencies, Cassie genuinely loves Ken. Accepting the fact that her character could justify drugging him was one thing, but her inability to resist stealing was what Sweeney found most difficult. If Cassie had truly wanted to take Ken out, she could have used much stronger medication. Instead, her actions were rooted in fear and a desperate need to hold onto the one person who had ever shown her kindness.

Interestingly, Cassie’s newfound financial stability has allowed her to indulge in things she never had before, like a French manicure and a bit of mascara. It’s a small but notable change that highlights the stark contrast between where she’s come from and where she is now. Claire Sweeney has fully embraced Cassie’s complexity, making her one of Coronation Street‘s most talked-about characters.