Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street star Jane Danson has spoken on the mixed reception to the soap's Insitute storyline.
This year saw Jane's character Leanne Battersby roped into the sinister cult by charismatic and villainous leader Rowan Cunliffe.
Scenes next week will see Rowan go on trial over alleged fraud and blackmail as part of the Institute, with Leanne determined to see justice after being manipulated by Rowan in a vulnerable state.
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The cult storyline drew a divided reaction from viewers, and Jane has admitted that she "totally" buys why some were unhappy.
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"I think the reaction to it was a bit of a split, if I'm honest," she recalled. "I think some people liked it and some people didn't, and I totally buy that because Leanne is such a strong character.
"But I watched documentaries, and you see these intelligent people with great jobs, with families, with houses, with assets, and they get taken by these people. And I suppose, depending on where you are in your life and what's going on, who knows what is possible?"
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The star went on to praise Rowan actor Emrhys Cooper, revealing she "loved" working with him.
"He was so lovely, and he just loved being here and he was very popular with the cast," she added.
"He was just a positive, lovely guy and I really miss him. Also, this story was another chapter for Leanne, for which I'm always grateful."
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Jane has also opened up about Leanne's feelings during the trial – which will see her character snap in court when Rowan smirks towards her.
"She just feels a bit of a fool, really," she explained. "It's all come out and she's realised that she'd been sucked in.
"This is the start of her trying to prove herself, her decisions and why she did what she did. She says this lovely speech at the trial, where she's just saying how sorry she is for everything she's done, but she was just striving to be better."
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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