Coronation Street signs THREE new hunks with Hollywood star, Archers actor and a major recast
CORONATION Street has signed three new hunks with a Hollywood actor, a star of the Archers and a major recast.
The ITV soap is bringing in three characters to shake up the cobbles in a series of explosive storylines.
After almost 40 years of being mentioned on the cobbles, Carl Webster will make his first appearance - and he’s being played by a Hollywood star.
Brit actor Jonathan Howard, who has appeared in Thor: The Dark World, Downton Abbey and Godzilla King of the Monsters, will take the role of Kevin and Debbie Webster’s younger brother.
And he’s set to cause chaos when he arrives, claiming to want to support his brother’s cancer battle.
It soon becomes clear that he’s got his own issues - and he quickly sparks with sister-in-law Abi but will her head be turned?
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Jonathan said: “Carl is Kevin and Debbie Webster’s little brother, they have different mums so he’s a bit younger than they are.
“He comes into Weatherfield to ostensibly be with his brother because he’s found out he’s got cancer but then we’ll discover Carl’s got some money issues back in Germany where he’s been living.
“I don’t think Carl is going to be too bad but I don’t think he’s going to be good either, I think his heart is in the right place but he might be holding on to some resentment towards his brother because he’s left him to be on his own his whole life.”
On Carl’s antics with the ladies Jonathan, who is married to Hollywood star Elodie Yung, said: “He’s maybe a little bit selfish, especially between his trousers sometimes!”
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And he’s a huge Corrie fan, adding: “I was a super fan of Corrie as a kid, I watched it every single night, a lot of my childhood memories are growing up watching the street so it feels kind of surreal to be on the cobbles.
“And I play Kevin Webster’s brother. I remember watching Kevin Webster when I was a teenager and then to suddenly be doing scenes with him is surreal.”
His first episode will air on April 11.
And while Carl is causing chaos, the Bailey family will welcome back son James - but this time with a new face.
Actor Nathan Graham has been replaced with newcomer Jason Callender taking over the role.
Visiting from where he’s been living with partner Danny in America, James soon drop a bombshell on his family.
“James is determined, whatever he puts his mind to he absolutely goes for it,” said Jason.
“He’s a little brother so expect little brother pranks but more than anything he loves his family and he really wants to be a dad.”
He added: “James is bringing a lot of warmth, a little bit of love, charisma and a little bit of charm.”
Jason also revealed how he was left speechless when he won the role, saying: “I’m still waiting for it to sink in, I was completely speechless when I got told.
“You’re stepping into something that’s so iconic, Britain’s longest running TV show.
“Growing up it was always on in the background, my family absolutely love it, my nan is 93 years old and she still religiously watches it, so it’s amazing for me to be part of something that she loves and hopefully I can make her smile.”
And rounding out the new arrivals is Archers actor James Cartwright reuniting with his Radio 4 co-star Gareth Pierce playing Todd’s new love interest Theo.
Theo Silverton is a new arrival to Coronation Street, working close by as a scaffolder he first gets on the wrong side of both Julie and then George before Todd helps him to patch things up with the locals.
There’s an instant attraction from Todd but with Theo playing his cards close to his chest, has Todd finally found his Mr Right?
Playing Theo James Cartwright said: “I think Theo is a good guy, he comes in with the best of intentions, as most people do, but he may upset some people with his behaviour.”
Giving us a bit of an insight into Theo’s antics, James reveals: “I had a line the other day where I said ‘I think I left my trousers in the bedroom’ so make of that what you will.”
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Coronation Street's 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza's grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon's been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she'll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
First on screen on 25th March, James said on getting the role: “I was very excited, a lot of my memories growing up as a young boy were settling down with my gran after tea, she’d make me a crumpet and we’d sit there and watch Corrie.
“I feel like it’s a great honour to be a part of something that’s brought joy to people for so long.”