Where Coronation Street went wrong with this year’s storylines amid financial crisis – and how it can be saved
CORONATION Street has faced significant challenges this year, including a financial crisis, declining ratings and high-profile cast departures – but can it be saved?
Coronation Street viewers have voiced their frustrations over drawn-out storylines and a lack of engaging drama.
Amid ITV’s financial woes, the soap has faced criticism for losing its spark, with many longtime fans feeling disconnected from Weatherfield’s once-beloved characters.
But where did they go wrong?
And what can they do this year to reclaim its spot as Britain’s most beloved soap?
MISSED MARKS
Some of this year’s lengthy storylines have disappointed viewers, for example Rowan’s cult story.
The strong-minded and feisty Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) was destroyed by Rowan (Emrhys Cooper) as he tricked and brainwashed her into joining The Institute.
Whilst it raised awareness of the dangers of cults, the conclusion was far from satisfying as Leanne found out the truth about Rowan’s lies and Nick and Toyah’s affair by accident.
Moreover, Leanne’s revenge plan saw her go back to her scrappy Battersby roots, as she framed Nick and Toyah for stealing money from The Bistro.
But she was slammed as being ‘petty’ and ‘bitter’ by fans.
There were also many unutilised characters that felt sidelined.
Iconic figures like Rita, Kevin and Audrey have been relegated to the background, leaving viewers yearning for the character-driven drama that made the show iconic.
There seems to be a lack of fresh ideas as the show leans too heavily on recycled plots – secret affairs, love triangles, and murders – without adding a modern twist to resonate with today’s audience.
Corrie stands out from other soaps for their balance of grit and comedy, but their signature blend of wit and warmth has been missed.
It is difficult to recall any stand out comic moments, apart from David Platt’s (Jack P Shepherd) frequent one liners.
Corrie's most famous villains
- Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) – arguably the most famous villain in soap history. The character has multiple killings to his name. Richard left his former business partner Duggie Ferguson (John Bowe) to die before he murdered his ex-wife Patricia (Annabelle Apsion) who threatened to expose his dodgy dealings. He attempted to kill his mother-in-law Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) by setting her house on fire. He later killed her co-worker Maxine Peacock (Tracy Shaw) after she caught him in the act of attempting to strike Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) with a crowbar. Eventually he confessed his crimes to Gail (Helen Worth) before driving the Platt family into the canal. They all survived, but Richard drowned.
- Mad Maya (Sasha Behar) – She may not have the most kills to her name, but no true Corrie fan will be able to forget ‘Mad Maya’s’ stint. Maya Sharma first started out as an innocent lawyer. However her true nature was revealed when she kidnapped Tyronne’s () dog and threatened to kill Dev Alahan () unless he proposed. Things soon turn nasty when Sunita () received the news that she has a brain tumour. The pair rekindle their romance and they end up getting married. However, Maya ruined their big day by reporting Sunita to the police for bigamy. Not done there, she plans to kill them both as she sets fire to all of Dev’s shop empire and trapping them both upstairs after she set fire to the corner shop with the gas and stove on. When they are miraculously rescued, she attempts to run them over.
- Pat Pheelan (Connor McIntyre) – Pat was introduced as an acquaintance of Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies), before embarking on a revenge plot. He creates a fraudulent property scheme which caused the death of Michael Rodwell (Les Dennis). He kidnapped Andy Carver (Oliver Farnworth) and Vinny Ashford (Ian Kelsey). This was before he framed his arch-nemesis Anna Windass for GBH after he pushed Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni) off a ladder. He then murdered both Any as well as Luke Britton (Dean Fagan). He eventually met a gruesome end when he held most of the residents of the street hostage in the Bistro. He was stabbed by Anna Windass after he shot Michelle (Kym Marsh).
- Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew) – Geoff started off as the innocent father to Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) and he was a local Weatherfield celebrity owing to his radio show and his ‘The Great Magnifico’ magic act. He later embarked on a romantic relationship and married with Yasmeen (Shelley King). However, he had a nasty streak as he controlled her in every way. He made sure she was reliant on him for everything including financially, he constantly bullied and belittled her, locked her in the magician’s box despite the fact she was claustrophobic, and he even forced her to eat her own pet chicken. Later she snapped and stabbed him in the neck. This was before she was arrested for attempted murder. However, his nearest and dearest soon discovered his true nature and they turned against him. He tried to sabotage the trial by threatening his ex-wife, but she stood up to him in an epic court showdown. After Yasmeen was released, Geoff died shortly after when he set fire to their home and fell off the roof.
- Kirsty Soames (Natalie Gumede) – Kirsty was first seen on Corrie on a night out when Tommy Duckworth (Chris Fountain) paid her to flirt with Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall). Later she makes her interest very clear and they end up together. After she gets sacked from her job as a policewoman, Tyrone gets her a job at Underworld factory as a packer. She is utterly horrified and she lashed out at Tyrone with a ladle. Kirsty apologised and Tyrone pretended to all his friends the injuries were accidental. However, this pattern continued. Over several incidents she forced him up against a door, smashed household plates and pictures, bruised him after beating him with a vacuum cleaner, throws a candlestick at his head and she locks him inside the house. However, one time she tried to hit him but she lost her balance and fell down the stairs. She lies to the police and tells them that it was Tyrone who was beating her. Tyrone was put in prison after he broke bail conditions when he went on the run with his daughter. During the period of the trial, she struggles to look after baby Ruby. She throws a cup at Julie (Katy Cavanagh) before exposing her own behaviour by slapping her. Kirst then stormed into the courtroom and confessed that she was the monster, not Tyrone.
Injecting humor into the scripts can recapture its charm and provide balance to heavier storylines.
PATH TO REDEMPTION
To regain its footing, Coronation Street should focus on pacing by tightening storylines to maintain suspense without dragging them out unnecessarily.
Stephen Reid’s serial killer arc stretched credibility and overstayed its welcome.
The soap could benefit from more character-driven stories, maybe by bringing classic characters back to the forefront with compelling, relatable arcs.
EastEnders have shown the power of nostalgia by bringing back the likes of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), David Wicks (Michael French) and Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer).
Similarly, Corrie viewers were left shook when villain Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) showed up during the soap’s Christmas eve’s episode.
This showed there was an appetite for more Corrie returns from viewers.
Equally, the soap also needs to introduce some new blood and fresh faces for writers to inject energy and creativity into the cobbles.
The last new family to move to Weatherfield was the Baileys back in June 2019.
Despite living on the cobbles for six years, it’s only at the end of last year they have taken center stage, when Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) discovered she is pregnant with her serial killer ex-fiance’s baby.
More topical issues that highlight modern social challenges like mental health or financial struggles will resonate with viewers.
Stories like Paul Foreman’s Motor Neuron Disease (MND) story was handled realistically and accurately.
Peter Ash’s acting was notably phenomenal and very emotional to watch, deserving of the National Television Award for Outstanding Serial Drama Performance in 2024.
Tackling real-world issues has always been a strength of the soap, but they need to be handled with nuance and care, ensuring they resonate deeply with viewers.
Corrie has thrived on its compelling relationships and long-standing rivalries.
Bringing back that tension and drama could reinvigorate the show’s appeal.
As well as rivalries, the community spirit of Weatherfield needs to be revived.
By emphasising the sense of community and togetherness that fans love, the show can bring back the heart of the cobbles.
With the right approach, Coronation Street has the potential to bounce back and reclaim its spot as Britain’s most beloved soap.