The older characters in Coronation Street have become a bit of a disparate bunch in recent times. There have always been older residents in our favourite soap, from the originals of Ena, Albert, Minnie and Martha to today's Rita, Emily and Norris. However the older group today seem well, less of a group.We still see lots of Rita, however Emily appears less frequently these days - fair play to her. Audrey is a pensioner although she is something of a stand-alone character, apart from her dealings with the Platt brood. Rita herself spends most of her time these days embroiled in Tina's dramatic happenings, something I'll never understand. Both Deirdre and Gail are too young to be involved heavily with the oldies. Ken is absent indefinitely, Dennis barely gets a look in and Norris is pretty unpleasant at the best of times.
With Sylvia gone and Gloria, a character who never really took, soon to depart, I think there is a very real need for some fresh talent amongst Corrie's senior citizens. We need to return to something akin to the fairly recent glories of the book group and Mel Hutchwright's Hard Grindings. I'd love a community-focused storyline with the older characters coming to the fore.
While Sylvia was great and I'm really sad she has departed indefinitely, the powers that be have never found characters to rival or match the much-missed Blanche, Vera or Betty. And to be honest, I don't think they ever will. That needn't be a bad thing either. All three characters and the actresses who played them were unique, wonderful and irreplaceable. I think Stuart Blackburn needs to cast a fresh eye on our Corrie OAPs.
So who could be drafted in? Would you like to see the return of an old favourite or something completely new? Personally, I'd love to see Rula Lenska reprise her role as the fabulous Claudia Colby. Claude and Aud were a great double act and I think a return visit to Perm Suspect would inject some much needed fun in Audrey's post-Lewis life.
What about seeing Rita May back as Jack Duckworth's lady friend Connie Rathbone? She still has a link to the Street through Tyrone after all. And then there was that wonderful appearance by Helen Fraser as Doris Babbage earlier this year. Doris provided us with the most entertaining scenes involving the Price family since their arrival. Helen's character was sharp, bitchy and very, very funny. The viewers were left wanting more and I for one would love to see Doris make a return to Weatherfield.
If not a returning character, which actor or actress of a certain age would you like to see in Corrie? Top of my list would be the superb Lynda Baron. She was sublime playing both Violet Carson and her character Ena Sharples in The Road to Coronation Street back in 2010. Lynda also appeared in Coronation Street back in 1997 when she played Renee Turnbull, a lady who become involved with Alec Gilroy's Dating Agency. I think she would make a great addition to the regular cast.
So what do you make of the current crop of older Coronation Street characters? Would you like to see them more involved in the local community? Should there be new additions?
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23 comments:
There must be any number of actors aged 60+ who would give their eye teeth for a permanent role in Corrie. As an aside, why doesn't Dennis have more to do; perhaps it's something the actor has requested himself. Isn't Mr Connor coming to visit? Perhaps he could stay with or without Mrs C. Doris Babbage would be an interesting addition. Of all the residents, Emily is probably the one with the most off-Street friends although we never hear about or see them. She could introduce a friend from the church/charity shop.
Great blog, Graham! Bringing Claudia back is a great idea.
I would like to see Mavis come back, also, just to give Rita a break from Tina.
Eileen Atkins or Frances de la Tour as Roy's Aunt.
I would love to see some classic characters from the sixties and/or seventies return. I read that Gorden Kaye - 'Allo 'Allo's René Artois - played a nephew of Elsie's back in 1969, but that the character only stayed for about a year. If he could be persuaded, we'd have a well-known actor playing an already established character with links to one of the greatest Corrie legends ever.
Yes he appeared between 1969 - 1970 and worked with Elsie in the hair salon (I think!)
I too would love to see Mavis back but I doubt Thelma Balow would be tempted these days :/
I thought Gail's dad was a welcome addition but he did not stay. Sensible, he had that well-worn look of someone who had seen too much of life. It seems to me Gail herself and Diedre should be heading into that mould. With Liz returning there is an opportunity to build upon the existing older women before they become OAPs. Let the Chesneys, Katies and Sophies fumble from one bad choice to another, they do not know better. Seasoned characters ought to be given an opportunity to reflect upon their life's mistakes and the lessons they learned. That does happen in real life.
I for one would love to see Doris Babbage again but with Stella and Glo going I don't suppose there will be a reason for her to return.
Bring in josh who appeared in August what a good actor he was
Claudia should come back and have an affair with Dennis Tanner. Norris should give Mary away when she marries Roy (sorry if that's too soon people..) Audrey should find herself a sugar daddy and show the young uns how to have a good time and not wallow in constant misery. Even though Diedre isn't quite a relic yet, she's on her way and so is Liz, those two should pair up as pals and tear a tread through the street and enjoy their 'still happening, but not for much longer'bodies. Ted can come back and finally make our Sean a happy fella and Michelle's dad can perk up the pep in Eileen's step. So writers, throw in a few new 'old' comers, fire up the pencils and let the fun story lines begin. Take a clue from Betty White.. old people are fun, smart, witty and able to get away with almost anything.. what a waste not to use such talent and banter on Corrie. Put the kids to bed!
Yours truly,
Gobby Gail
Bring back Doris. She was an absolute joy.
And yes Frances De La Tour would be a great person to have, even if it's just a cameo. If we could have Claudia returning, all these three characters butting heads would be quality Corrie entertainment. And Audrey needs a story away from her family.
Oooh, let's see what's for choices out there: Linda Bassett, oh yes Frances De La Tour, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Maggie Smith, Amanda Redman (although a bit young, ha ha), Penelope Wilton, Brenda Fricker, Carol MacReady, Alison Steadman, Pam Ferris, Brenda Blethyn, bring back Joanna Lumley, Lynda Bellingham, Julie Christie, Barbara Flynn, Imelda Staunton, Harriet Walter, Judi Dench. So many wonderful actresses who could do a great job of boosting the "mature" cast.
We need more of Dennis - he's criminally underused. And yes, Renee Turnbull, Connie Rathbone and Doris Babbage all had great potential as long term characters. It's bizarre that Ted Page is never even mentioned these days, with all the turmoil going on in his family. And what about Rita's friend Doreen Fenwick - still occasionally mentioned, but never seen...
I am enjoying Rita May in "Trollied" too much for me to want her back in Corrie.
I too would like to see Claudia back to spar with Audreh, but more than anything the one character I would LOVE to have back is Maureen Lipman's snooty landlady - she was only in it for a few weeks but was hilarious.
Or how about Prunela Gee as Doreen (Maxine's mother) - she was very funny too.
I watch every episode of corrie so Why have we not seen Katie with het new boyfriend josh !!!he was fit n should be in corrie more often and give Cheney something to think about watching josh bring up his baby
Anonymous lists some wonderful actresses but sadly I doubt any of them would commit to Corrie long term :(
John McE - both Maureen Lipman and Prunella Gee were terrific in Corrie, however I doubt Maureen would ever return and Prunella's character doesn't have any links left on the Street (as far as I'm aware)
Njblas - Doreen Fenwick was a good character, she worked well with Rita and got right up Norris's nose :) She did just disappear though, which was a shame. I saw the actress who played her (Barbara Young?) in my neighbourhood in London once and I very nearly asked her what happened to her in Corrie.
Archie Shuttleworth!
is Archie still the funeral dude?
Ugh...not Claudia. I honestly thought she was a cross dresser and part of that whole story line. She's too nasty for me.
But I agree they need to step up the storylines with some of the older characters. I get sick of the Chesney/Katie...Ryan/Katie type stories.I don't really care a whole lot about a 17 year old kid's lovelife.
Archie Shuttleworth was the funeral director - great character and Roy Hudd was super!
I thin Su Pollard would be good as a Phyllis Pearce type character.
Karen Lawlors definitely BRING BACK MAVIS even just briefly she is greatly missed
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