Natasha Blakeman

Natasha Blakeman
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by	Rachel Leskovac
Introduced by	Kim Crowther
Duration	2008–10
First appearance	12 May 2008
Last appearance	27 September 2010
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Date of birth	1981
Occupation	Hairdresser
Family Brothers Matthew Blakeman Nieces Electra Blakeman

Natasha Blakeman is a fictional character from the British ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, played by Rachel Leskovac. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 12 May 2008.^[1] On 29 April 2010, it was announced that Leskovac had been axed from the show after two years and would depart in "an exciting and dramatic storyline which will be an integral part of the build-up to Coronation Street's 50th anniversary".^[2] In May 2010 it was suggested that Natasha was to take her own life, after she is left heartbroken of the break-up of her relationship with Nick Tilsley, however, this never materialised^[3] and Natasha made her last appearance on 27 September 2010.

Casting

The news of the character first surfaced in the tabloid Daily Mirror and reported that former Holby City actress Rachel Leskovac was to take on the role, with a Coronation Street spokesman confirming it: "Rachel's very well known in TV land as she has been in countless series and dramas. To have her new character in the salon is a smashing coup."^[4] The actress stated in an interview that she only felt really part of the backstage family when her character became more involved with central storylines saying: "Last year, it was a bit sporadic because I wasn't in for weeks on end, so every time I came back it felt like my first day again. It's only now in the new year that it's started to feel like I'm part of the family!".^[5]

Character development

The character of Natasha has been described as a typical 'ditzy blonde' by newspaper The Sun.^[6] In an interview actress Rachel Leskovac had a lot to say about her character's personality: "I'd say Natasha's a romantic. She likes to have fun and isn't malicious in the slightest. She loves her job, too. I think she's looking for love but not necessarily settling down at the minute, though.".^[7] Her take on the character she plays after one year in the show. The character tends to talk a lot and generally say anything that comes into her head. ITV publicity describe the characters typical ditzy blonde image, describe her as loving Scottish accents and the sound of her own voice and hating shellfish and dandruff.^[1]

Storylines

In December 2008, Natasha informs Audrey (Sue Nicholls) that her sister-in-law has just given birth to her niece, Electra. She spots a good business opportunity in opening the salon for late night trading hours during the week, an idea to which Audrey agrees to.

Natasha is drafted in to style Molly Compton's (Vicky Binns) hair for her wedding day in January 2009. In February 2009, she flirts with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) in the Rovers and later asks him out on a date. Steve is jealous of Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) and Becky Granger's (Katherine Kelly) relationship at the time, but reluctantly agrees to go out with Natasha. Though Natasha isn't impressed with Steve, for their date they sit in and eat a takeaway, she tells him that there are no hard feelings.

In February 2009, it is revealed that businessman Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien) is to bed Natasha, providing the character with her first major storyline. On 23 March 2009, Natasha pays Tony a visit. The two kiss passionately at first, Natasha does most of the talking, while Tony sits silently. Towards the end of the visit he begins to soften towards her; as she leaves he tells her to stop and take her coat off, the pair subsequently have sex.^[6] Natasha is in good spirits following her passion with Tony and gloats about it to colleague Maria Connor (Samia Smith) who is beginning to secretly harbour feelings for Tony. Maria tries to warn Natasha away from him claiming that he will treat her badly and even tries setting her up with Tom Kerrigan (Philip McGinley) but to no avail as Natasha has set her sights firmly on Tony.

Some months later Natasha begins to become suspicious of the amount of time that Tony is spending with Maria. Consumed by jealousy, Natasha tells Maria that he is only paying her attention because he is feeling sorry for her. Tony is furious when he discovers what Natasha has said which leads to a heated showdwon between the couple and they subsequently separate. Natasha tries to warn her friend Maria about Tony's 'dark side' but she refuses to listen. It is only months later when Tony is revealed as the murderer of Maria's husband Liam Connor (Rob James-Collier) that Maria accepts what Natasha had tried to tell her.

In April 2010, Natasha finds herself attracting the unwanted attention of Graeme Proctor (Craig Gazey). She is amused at his attempts to woo her, however, she discovers that he is using similar tactics with Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan). They both decide to teach him a lesson; Natasha feigns interest in Graeme and meets him for a drink at the Rovers where she playfully flirts with him. When she asks him about Rosie, he states that she is a bimbo and that he has no interest in her. At that moment, Rosie comes up behind him and pours a pint over his head much to the amusement of the pub.

In the same month, Natasha sets her sights on Audrey's grandson Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) and he agrees to go out with her, after she makes her interest in him clear. However, after he cancels several of their dates, she angrily confronts him in Underworld and he is impressed by her feisty personality and begins to take their relationship more seriously. After a while, Natasha begins to feel increasingly more exiled by Nick and his family, firstly by Nick's mother Gail (Helen Worth)'s cold response towards her upon her release from prison and by Nick as he continually puts business matters before their relationship. Eagar to settle down, Natasha suggests that they could move into a place of their own, however, Nick is still preoccupied with business woes, as Underworld has recently burned down, and virtually ignores Natasha. Becoming insecure over his dealings with ex-wife Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), she lends him £3,000 to pay for new business premises and secure the future of the factory in an attempt to please him.

In July 2010, while organising a surprise 70th birthday party for Audrey, Natasha discovers that her boss is considering retirement from the salon. Ambitious to own her own business, Natasha suggests to Audrey at the party that she should sell the salon to her. She is incredulous when Audrey tells her that Maria, who has just moved back from Ireland, has also offered to buy the business. Natasha's feelings of insecurity are further heightened by Nick's devious half-brother David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) who informs her that Maria was once engaged to Nick and that she is just one of many women whom Nick has been involved with.

Despairing that Nick is still not completely committed to moving into an apartment with her, Natasha's problems are further exacerbated when she discovers on 9 August 2010 that she is pregnant with his baby. Before she has a chance to tell Nick, he ends their relationship as he sees her as being too needy. Later when Natasha misinterprets a situation between Nick and Leanne at the factory, she reveals to Nick that she is pregnant. Furious that she didn't tell him sooner, Nick storms away, which results in Natasha having an abortion. However, Nick later changes his mind about Natasha and tells her that he wants them to be family, much to her secret horror, nevertheless, she pretends that she is still pregnant. Events further spiral out of control when Nick announces her pregnancy in the Rovers.

After Natasha steals Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine)'s baby scan picture and passes it off as her own, she breaks down and confesses the truth to Fiz after she figures out what Natasha has done. Seeing how she is starting to lose control, Fiz urges her to tell Nick the truth. Just as she walks into the factory to tell him, Nick proposes to her, which she immediately accepts, much to Fiz's indignation. In the meanwhile, Gail has grown suspicious of her future daughter-in-law, and looks up her records at the medical centre and sees that Natasha has had an abortion. After being told by Nick that she will always be second best to Leanne and being ordered to move out, she attempts to commit suicide by taking an overdose of prescription drugs. Nick finds her unconscious and rushes her to the hospital, where she recovers and Nick tells her he is sorry and that they will try again once she is better.

Natasha is discharged from hospital the next morning, and stays at Audrey's house, while she recovers. While there, Nick arrives with some flowers, he asks if she wants them to try again for another baby, much to her surprise and delight. After Nick leaves, Audrey and Natasha have a heart-to-heart, and Natasha realises that Nick no longer loves her, and he is only trying to be nice because he feels sorry for her. She leaves Audrey's, and heads back to Weatherfield to take her revenge on all those who misunderstood or were horrible to her. During her visit, she berates Leanne for being a catalyst in her break-up with Nick and tells David that Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) will never love him as he has no heart or feelings. She also goes to Underworld and causes chaos by telling all the workers Nicks' special 'nicknames' for them all, and saving best for last, she gets Gail sacked from her job at the Medical Centre by revealing to Dr. Carter (Oliver Mellor) how Gail broke the rules of patient confidentiality by hacking into private medical records, her last words to Gail are 'Hope you have a Nice Life Gail, ooh look, I had my fingers crossed' before leaving. An empowered but tearful Natasha then leaves Weatherfield in the back of a cab as Nick looks on.

Reception

Ruth Deller of entertainment website Lowculture, who runs a monthly column on the most popular and unpopular soap opera characters, including Natasha, attributing her rise in popularity, stating: "A fairly new addition to Weatherfield, Natasha is proving so far very likeable. This could all change, but for now, we’re loving her work."^[8] Deborah Ross of The Independent described her as having "trapped a man by pretending to be pregnant" before adding that "Obviously, she cannot think nine months ahead".^[9]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Coronation Street - Natasha Blakeman". itv.com (ITV plc). July 2009. http://www.itv.com/soaps/coronationstreet/characters/m-pcharacters/natashablakeman/. Retrieved 11 August 2009. 
2. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (29 April 2010). "Natasha Blakeman to leave Corrie". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a217223/natasha-blakeman-to-leave-corrie.html. Retrieved 29 April 2010. 
3. ^ "Natasha Blakeman in Suicide Plot". The Sun (News International). May 2010. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2957646/Coronation-Streets-Natasha-Blakeman-in-suicide-plot.html. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 
4. ^ Simon Reynolds (24 April 2008). "'Holby' actress heads to Corrie". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a94529/holby-actress-heads-to-corrie.html. Retrieved 18 April 2009. 
5. ^ Green, Kris (10 March 2009). "Rachel Leskovac (Natasha Blakeman, Corrie)". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a149033/rachel-leskovac-natasha-blakeman-corrie.html. Retrieved 18 April 2009. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Robertson, Colin (18 February 2009). "Rat's got Nat". The Sun. (News International). http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/article2247191.ece. Retrieved 18 April 2009. 
7. ^ "Rachel Leskovac (Natasha Blakeman, Corrie)". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi UK). 10 March 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a149033/rachel-leskovac-natasha-blakeman-corrie.html. Retrieved 18 April 2009. 
8. ^ Deller, Ruth (28 February 2009). "Soapstar Superstars: February". Lowculture. http://lowculture.co.uk/index.php/2009/02/28/soapstar-superstars-february/. Retrieved 13 May 2010. 
9. ^ Ross, Deborah (11 September 2010). "Deborah Ross: 'My search for the perfect soap opera'". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/deborah-ross-my-search-for-the-perfect-soap-opera-2073894.html. Retrieved 6 October 2011. 

External links

• Character profile at itv.com