Coronation Street has reportedly cast iconic television and theatre actress Frances Barber as part of an upcoming Bernie Winter-Alahan storyline.
The actress, who plays Dolly Nolan on the hit detective drama Whitstable Pearl, has joined the ITV soap as a relative of Bernie’s and will appear in a guest role, according to The Sun. Further details about her character have yet to be confirmed.
Radio Times has contacted ITV for comment.
Alongside Whitstable Pearl, Barber’s other TV credits include Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner, Benidorm, Cold Feet and Casualty.
Barber is also an accomplished stage actor, and has performed in a string of productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company including Chekhov’s The Seagull.
The news of Barber’s casting follows the confirmation that Mollie Gallagher is departing the cobbles after almost seven years.
The star, who joined the ITV soap in 2019 as Nina Lucas, is swapping the cobbles for a stage role – as Clarice Starling in the UK and Ireland tour of Silence of the Lambs.
A Coronation Street spokesperson told Radio Times: “Mollie has created a unique and well-loved character in Nina over the past six and a half years and everyone will be sorry to see her go.
“It is fantastic for Mollie that she has been given this incredible opportunity to play such an iconic role and we wish her all the best for the theatre tour.”
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Radio Times understands that Gallagher’s final scenes will air at the end of August.
In better news for fans of the soap, one star has confirmed that they won’t be leaving in the immediate future.
Carl Webster actor Jonathan Howard revealed that he’s sticking around, telling The Mirror: “I think we’d be missing out on something for Carl to leave before he’s come to terms with his mum’s dementia diagnosis.
“I would at least like to stay until we see what happens to Debbie, then we’ll see what happens after that.”
Read more:
- 8 Coronation Street spoilers next week: Evil Megan Walsh’s trial verdict arrives and Abi Webster’s mould nightmare
- Coronation Street exit confirmed for fan-favourite Nina Lucas as actress Mollie Gallagher departs after over 6 years
Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 or can be streamed from 7am on ITVX.
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Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
