List of Coronation Street characters (2016)

Coronation Street is a British soap opera first broadcast on 9 December 1960. The following is a list of characters that will appear in 2016, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by series producer Stuart Blackburn, or his successor Kate Oates. Marta Zarek arrived in February, igniting a child slavery storyline, as did Alya Nazir's best friend, Rana Habeeb. In March, Freddie Smith was introduced as a new friend for Kylie Platt. He was followed by the birth of Callum Logan and Sarah Platt's son, Harry, as well as Michelle Connor's childhood lover, Will Chatterton. Pablo Duarte made his first appearance in April.

Marta Zarek

Marta Zarek
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Edyta Budnik
First appearance 5 February 2016
Last appearance 21 March 2016
Introduced by Stuart Blackburn
Classification Former; recurring

Marta Zarek,[1] played by Edyta Budnik, made her first screen appearance on 5 February 2016.[2] The character and casting was announced on 29 January 2016.[3] Marta will be being introduced as part of a child slavery storyline.[3] Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) finds Marta hiding at the Underworld factory on Coronation Street and Marta tells her that she has been forced into slavery by Richie (James Midgley) and Julia O'Driscoll (Malgorzata Klara), Underworld's new clients.[3] She also explains that she cannot escape as she is worried about her family's safety back in Poland.[3] Mark Jefferies of the Daily Mirror reported that producers consulted experts to ensure the storyline would be accurate.[3] A spokesperson commented, "Obviously, Coronation Street tries to tackle difficult subjects and has done storylines about serious illnesses and violence before. But this is the first time slavery has appeared."[3]

Rana Habeeb

Rana Habeeb
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Bhavna Limbachia
Duration 2016–
First appearance 19 February 2016
Introduced by Stuart Blackburn
Classification Present; regular
Profile
Occupation Nurse

Rana Habeeb,[4] played by Bhavna Limbachia, made her first screen appearance on 19 February 2016.[5] The character and casting was announced on 8 January.[5] Of her casting, Limbachia commented "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the show. Being a proud Northerner, it's a dream come true."[5] Rana will be introduced as a love interest for Zeedan Nazir (Qasim Akhtar) and an old friend of his sister Alya (Sair Khan). Following a visit to catch up with Alya, Rana will find employment at the local medical centre.[5] The show's series producer Stuart Blackburn described Rana as "sharp, funny, utterly gorgeous and not a little manipulative."[5]

Rana first appears when she comes to Nick's Bistro to meet up with Alya. Alya's brother, Zeedan, becomes attracted to her, whilst Rana flirts with him as well as Andy Carver (Oliver Farnworth). She then leaves and Alya's grandparents ask her to return soon as she has brought a lot of happiness back into Alya's life, as her father has recently died and she has split from her fiancé.

Freddie Smith

Freddie Smith
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Derek Griffiths
Duration 2016–
First appearance 11 March 2016
Introduced by Stuart Blackburn
Classification Present; regular
Profile
Occupation Retired
Residence Weatherfield

Freddie Smith, played by Derek Griffiths, made his first screen appearance on 11 March 2016.[6] Griffiths auditioned for the role, and the character and his casting was announced on 16 December 2015.[6] Freddie was introduced as "an unlikely new friend" for established character Kylie Platt (Paula Lane). Freddie's wife, who was a client of Kylie's, died shortly before his on-screen debut.[6] His friendship with Kylie will lead him to be accepted into a "surrogate community" on the Street as the other residents get to know him.[6]

Freddie is a widower of his late wife Sadie, an old and valued customer of Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls)' salon. When Sadie died unexpectedly, Freddie asked for Kylie to do her nails for the funeral. Not knowing this was the reason for the appointment, when she arrived at his home she was horrified to see his wife's dead body lying in her coffin in the living room. After running out of the house, he spoke to Kylie, who then convinced herself to do Sadie's nails.

Harry Platt

Harry Platt
Coronation Street character
Duration 2016–
First appearance 21 March 2016
Introduced by Stuart Blackburn
Classification Present; recurring

Harry Platt made his first appearance on 21 March 2016.[7][8] He is the son of Sarah-Louise Platt (Tina O'Brien) and Callum Logan (Sean Ward) and the half-brother of Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), Billy Platt and Max Turner (Harry McDermott). He is born five weeks early by caesarean section when Sarah goes into labour in Tracy Barlow's (Kate Ford) florist shop. O'Brien said Sarah would be "in massive denial" when she goes in labour and initially refuses to have a caesarean because her son Billy died during the procedure.[9] She believes a natural birth will be better for the baby. O'Brien continued, "She's just got it in her head that something is going to go wrong. It's almost like a defence mechanism. I think she feels that if something does go wrong she's preparing herself."[9] O'Brien also said Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) would help Sarah through the birth and remind her that the baby is not Billy. When Callum's mother Marion Logan (Susan Cookson) turns up at the hospital, Sarah does not want her there and becomes "very territorial over the baby".[9] O'Brien added that the baby is a constant reminder that Callum's death is not going to go away.[9]

Sarah is accidentally struck by Tim Metcalfe's (Joe Duttine) car and is taken to hospital, where she is told that she is pregnant. Sarah plans to have an abortion, but is talked out of it by her sister-in-law, Kylie Platt (Paula Lane). Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) takes Sarah to the florist to relax after shopping, but as Todd reminisces about Billy, Sarah goes into labour, which annoys Tracy. At the hospital, the doctor wants Sarah to have a caesarean, but Sarah refuses. Todd persuades Sarah and Sarah agrees to a caesarean and her son is later born. When Marion Logan (Susan Cookson) arrives at the hospital after being told about Sarah's pregnancy by Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell), Sarah refuses to let her meet her grandson. Sarah chooses Harry for his name from one of Bethany's suggestions. Harry and Sarah are picked up from the hospital by Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) and Sarah feels that the others did not want to because of who Harry's father is. Harry is christened with Sarah's brother Nick Tilsley (Ben Price), Carla Connor (Alison King) and Todd as godparents.

Will Chatterton

Will Chatterton, played by Leon Ockenden, made his first screen appearance on 28 March 2016.[10] The character and Ockenden's casting was announced on 8 February.[11] His character is introduced as a former boyfriend of Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh). He comes to Weatherfield to book Michelle as his wedding planner.[11]

Pablo Duarte

Pablo Duarte, played by Shai Matheson, will make his first screen appearance on 13 April 2016.[12] The character and casting was announced on 3 April 2016 as the secret husband of established character Maria Sutherland (Samia Ghadie).[12] Upon his arrival, Pablo will make an enemy out of Maria's boyfriend Luke Britton (Dean Fagan).[12] He is expected to appear following Maria's return to the Cobbles.[12]

Others

Character Date(s) Actor Circumstances
Bridget Finch 29 January Carol Harvey[13] After Bridget learns that her husband Brendan Finch (Ted Robbins) has been having an affair with Mary Taylor (Patti Clare), she comes to the Rovers Return to confront Mary. Bridget informs her that it is not the first time Brendan has had an affair and then slaps her. Brendan denies all knowledge of the affair, saying Mary is just a fan. He then leaves with Bridget.
Tom Finlay[1] 5 February– Daniel Casey[14] While drinking in The Bistro, Tom notices and flirts with Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), before giving her his phone number.
Lauren 4 March– Shannon Flynn[15] Lauren and Shelley bully Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) at school, along with some others. Lauren makes remarks about Bethany and her mother Sarah-Louise Platt (Tina O'Brien) as well as pulling her hair. Lauren and Shelley, send cruel messages to Bethany online. Lauren, Shelley and the others follow Bethany home, but Luke Britton (Dean Fagan) intervenes and forces them to leave. When Sarah learns of Bethany's bullying, she visits Lauren at her home and confronts both Lauren and her mother (Lisa Moore).
Shelley Natalie Davies[15]
Lauren's Mum 9 March, 11 April Lisa Moore[15] When Sarah-Louise Platt (Tina O'Brien) discovers that her daughter Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) has been bullied, she visits Lauren's (Shannon Flynn) home to confront her. Sarah warns Lauren's mother to keep Lauren away from Bethany.
Sam Trenton 4 April- Joseph Taylor When Chris Trenton takes a liking for Liz McDonnald, Sam sticks with Amy and they go to music class together

References

  1. 1 2 "Coronation Street Episode 8833". Radio Times. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "The phantom of the factory!". Inside Soap (4): 26–27. 30 January – 5 February 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jefferies, Mark (29 January 2016). "Coronation Street tackles modern slavery horror in gripping new storyline". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  4. ↑ "Coronation Street". Radio Times. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Kilkelly, Daniel (8 January 2016). "Coronation Street: Meet Zeedan's glamorous new love interest as Cuffs actress Bhavna Limbachia joins the cast". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kilkelly, Daniel (16 December 2015). "Coronation Street: Derek Griffiths joins the cast as Kylie Platt strikes up surprise friendship with a pensioner". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Coronation Street spoilers: Eva and Aiden reunite, Michael leaves, plus Sarah gives birth". Radio Times. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  8. ↑ Lindsay, Duncan (15 March 2016). "Corrie Spoilers 2016: Sarah Platt shocked by unwelcome visitor as she gives birth to baby son". Metro. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Dainty, Sophie (15 March 2016). "Coronation Street spoilers: Sarah Platt to get an unwelcome visitor after giving birth to her baby". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Coronation Street – Episode 8869". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  11. 1 2 Kilkelly, Daniel (8 February 2016). "Coronation Street casts Waterloo Road star Leon Ockenden as Michelle Connor's first love". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Kilkelly, Daniel (3 April 2016). "Soap spoilers: EastEnders Johnny return, Coronation Street shock, Emmerdale meltdown, Hollyoaks Lisa". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  13. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (19 January 2016). "Coronation Street spoilers: Mary Taylor will be left heartbroken by married lover Brendan Finch". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  14. ↑ "Leanne's new man!". Inside Soap (4): 31. 30 January – 5 February 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 "Coronation Street Episode 8854". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 March 2016.

External links

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