There's a story in today's Sun that says Coronation Street actor Anne Kirkbride has been told by ITV she's got a "job for life" playing Deirdre Barlow.
While this is excellent news for fans of Deirdre, the article says that Anne was reduced to tears when police took William Roache in for questioning.
The Sun says: "... bosses spotted Anne was upset and decided to let her know how important she is to the show. Anne was called in by new executive producer Stuart Blackburn, who told her: “You are here for as long as you want to be.”He also said he plans to allow her character to develop into a Weatherfield legend — just like her screen mum, Blanche Hunt, played by the late Maggie Jones".
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Isn't she already a Corrie legend?
ReplyDeleteTruth be told, Deirdre's been a legend for over 30 years! But glad she's staying! :)
ReplyDeleteBe nice if they gave her a storyline now and then.
ReplyDeleteLove Deirdre! In Ken's absence maybe she could hook up with Dev again?
ReplyDeleteWhere was Deidre last night for the re-opening..did I miss her?
ReplyDeleteGood news indeed. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove Deirdre, but the thought of the Tracyluv mother daughter act from now until the end of time, not so much. Maybe she could focus on being an awesome stepmom and have more family time with Peter.
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a news story about Anne bursting into tears and having to be consoled when Becky took a sledgehammer to the set of Deirdre's house?
ReplyDeleteOf course she is already a legend, having appeared in far more episodes over a longer period than her much-missed mother Blanche did. And while this a feel-good story, there is nothing concrete to back it up. I've never heard of any Corrie actor being on a contract longer than 2 years at a time. Any future producer who replaces Stuart Blackburn could easily decide to axe the character if they deemed it necessary. You can look back as far as Martha Longhurst in 1964 for precedents of this...
ReplyDeleteWell Anne has appeared as Deirdre for 41 years so if she isn't classed as some sort of a legend or long serving cast member I don't know what will. I doubt she will be axed as she is a big part of Coronation Street and a well known character.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Martha Longhurst is a good example. Although it was a shame, she only appeared for 3 years, she wasn't really long serving, and I think she only became well known through her axing which has been a popular story for Coronation Street for its entire run.
Martha Longhurst was only in the show for 4 years and they didn't know the show would last over 50 with castmembers staying between 2 and 5 decades. I think cast members like Anne Kirkbride, Barbara Knox and Eileen Derbyshire and a few others *should* be fail safe and stay in it as long as they want to or are able.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting as a few months back I was moaning about Tracy luv whilst watching the show and saying how they should get shot. The rest in our house were of the opinion that this would never happen because she's now part and parcel of the Barlow Clan and there are some characters that you don't get rid of. She, Tracy was mentioned as one as she came under the Barlow umbrella so to speak so deemed kind of part of the street now and was 'safe'.
ReplyDeleteI didn't agree with them as I can't stand stand Tracy as a character and I think the actress is weak.
Others who were deemed 'safe' were Emily, Rita, Norris, Sally, Steve, Roy, Gail, Audrey,
Potential 'safety list' Tyrone, Leanne, David
These were just thoughts from our house :) Am sure I've missed others....
I agree the character 'should' be safe. But there's always the possibility of ratings falling and a new producer coming in and making drastic changes. Remember Brian Park?
ReplyDeleteI think it's a lovely gesture on the producer's part, and I wish he would do it to some of the other actors on Corra. For all we know, he might well have.
ReplyDeleteI can see part of the reason why he has done it, though.
Cast members are dropping like flies. Karl is leaving, so is Tina and so is Hayley, all by choice (as far as we know). Unfortunately, it looks like Ken Barlow and Kevin will be out too, their actors' reputations severely tarnished as they are. Also, several of the other characters are very unpopular, and perhaps that will sway his decision to (not) renew their contracts.
So he's probably keeping hold of the best. I hope he has also told Rita the same thing, and the ever-excellent Royston.
I think there is a potential blog here about who is safe and who should be...
ReplyDeleteI'm happy Deirdre will continue on for as long and Anne wishes/is able to. I have been wondering about her rold without Ken in the event Bill is either long-term defending himself or completely removed. I think they should groom Deirdre for life without Ken and the taking over of the Rovers. Along the way, finally realize how destructive her daughter is, and, though sad about it, push Tracy away.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's fair that some characters are 'safe'while others aren't.In the past,interesting characters have been axed due to 'lack of storyline'but yet the 'iconic'characters like Deirdre and the Platts are featured in recycled and dragged out storylines over and over again.Considering that there are over 70 cast members,I wonder why only the same 'clique'of characters are featured,Barlows,Platts,McDonalds,Websters and Tina?
ReplyDelete