Coronation Street Blog: Mikey North interview: Trouble ahead for Gary as we've not seen the end of Lou

Tuesday, 10 June 2025

Mikey North interview: Trouble ahead for Gary as we've not seen the end of Lou

What has it been like to work with Farrel Hegarty (Lou) & Joe Layton (Mick) – and do you enjoy it when new cast join Corrie?

They’ve been great. Their arrival reminded me of the Windass arrival all those years ago – coming in and ruffling a few feathers! I’ve been lucky down the years; I tend to get involved with a lot of new people who come into the show for short periods of the time. They’re always playing characters that, like I say, are there to ruffle feathers – the Pat Phelans and the Rick Neelans, people like that. So, yeah, it’s always nice.

Gary recently had a fight with Mick. Do you enjoy filming stunts?

I’ve always said, ‘I’m probably not really an actor, I’m just a frustrated stunt man!’ I love doing all that, it’s my favourite part of the job. Whenever I get to do a stunt or a fight scene, that’s definitely my favourite part, and that was another good one. We enjoyed it, Joe was great as well – we certainly got stuck in! I realised the other day that I think I love it so much because I used to love WWE as a kid. I’m sure that must be where it all comes from – picking up the moves from watching that.

This week, Maria returns from the police station after being arrested on suspicion of ABH. What does Gary make of the whole situation?

He thinks that there was always more to it, and he’s not entirely sure that Maria’s telling the truth as to what happened, which drives them apart even more, and pushes him more towards Lou, because he’s not entirely sure that she’s telling the truth.

Then, Gary offers Lou a beer after she says that she doesn’t want any trouble with him. What is his opinion on her?

He feels sorry for Lou and sees similarities between himself and her. He saw how bad Mick could be, and he wanted to stick up for her a little bit, but Maria’s obviously of the other mind. Maria sees right through, where Gary doesn’t. Trouble is going to lie ahead for him.

Will his actions put pressure on his marriage?

Absolutely. It’s only going to go downhill from here. It seems that Lou might be cut from the same cloth as Mick, more than meets the eye. That’s to come!

How do you describe Gary and Maria’s marriage over the last year or so?

I love Gary and Maria together. It’s coming up to five years married now, which seems like its flown by! I love working with Samia, we’ve got very similar working styles, and I’m blessed that I’m partnered up with her.

Do you enjoy playing the family man side to Gary?

Yes, I think the key to making a character like Gary work is we know what he’s capable of, but you’ve got to be able to show the softer side. I like Gary the most when he’s doing the bad things to bad people – being more of the Robin Hood sort of character. That’s certainly when I think Gary works the best.

What can you tease is coming up for Gary?

Trouble lies ahead, definitely. We’ve not seen the end of Lou by a long shot, and I think Gary’s probably going to regret what he does next.

Glenda Young

Bestselling novelist published by Headline