Thursday, 28 April 2016

Should Coronation Street do a spin-off series?

News reaches us that there's going to be a new show called Redwater. Nothing new there, new shows come along all the time on TV.  Ah, but Redwater is an EastEnders spin-off, starring two of its biggest cast members, Kat and Alfie Slater.

Even though I haven't watched EastEnders in over 30 years, I'm slightly envious to hear about their Redwater spin-off. 

Writer Matthew Graham is interviewed here talking about creating Redwater. He says: "It’s very family-based. Very character-based. And it’s very emotionally real and raw. The cast are amazing! It’s one of the best read-throughs I’ve ever been to... And it’s very dramatic!

"I LOVED writing for Kat and Alfie. They were two of the best characters to write for. They’re so funny and tragic. You can put big, funny gags into their mouths and it works… Or you can break people’s hearts with them.  I think Kat is up there with the greats of soap. Even if you don’t watch the show, you tend to know who the character is, in the same way that you once knew who Else Tanner was, even if you didn’t watch Corrie."

I wonder if Coronation Street have ever thought about doing a spin-off series like this, and if they have, why it hasn't happened?  Corrie has characters as big as Kat and Alfie, I'm sure it could work. I'd much rather watch a spin-off series on TV based in real drama than a few minutes online video, even if Fat Brenda did make her one and only apperance in Streetcars Stories!

If Corrie did do a spin-off series, who would you like to see in it? I think there's mileage in the Platts having their own show, with Audrey at the helm. Or Sally and Tim. Who would you choose? Or would you prefer Corre to concentrate its efforts into the show rather than have a spin-off?

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13 comments:

  1. Stevie28 April 2016 at 14:00

    I quite like the idea of a church-based comedy spin-off, with Billy or another vicar at the helm, with Corrie characters appearing every now and then. It would show a different side to Weatherfield life.

    Alternatively, a whole show about staff and customers of Freshco's!

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  2. Unknown28 April 2016 at 14:19

    I really wanted a spin off ep with Carla Connor and Nick but since Ali has left today that won't happen. I would also love to see a platt/ tilsley spin off

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  3. Anonymous28 April 2016 at 15:01

    A prison drama with all the cons from past plots doing times in the same prison. Regular guest appearances from current cast as per current story.

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  4. Tyler28 April 2016 at 15:57

    I agree with the Freshco idea but I think that a spin-off with Yasmeen starring would be perfect!

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  5. Anonymous28 April 2016 at 15:58

    I LOVE THE PLATTS BUT KEEP THEM ON CORRIE.
    AFTERALL ISN'T GAIL WORTH THE FEMALE WITH THE MOST SHOWS UNDER HER BELT NOW?
    A SPIN OFF WITH BETH AND KIRK, CHESNEY AND SINEAD, AND MARIA. THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING.....
    STRONG LIKEABLE CHARACTERS WHO WOULD HAVE A REALLY DECENT CHANCE TO SHINE.

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  6. John from Corriepedia28 April 2016 at 16:24

    Corrie has had three major spin-offs: "Pardon The Expression" from 1965-66, "Turn Out The Lights" in 1967 and "The Brothers McGregor" from 1985-89. EastEnders are well behind the curve here.

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  7. Louby28 April 2016 at 16:40

    I'd love to see a spin off with the older characters, more humorous dialogue and no high drama, just warm and funny.

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  8. Anonymous28 April 2016 at 19:36

    I would vote for a spin-off that had a different location each week. There's no realistic way that any human being could survive being on Coronation Street 24/7. He or she has to go elsewhere sometimes. The fun of the spin-off would be to imagine where those other places are and what other characters they might involve. It could be as simple as a dry-cleaner in Manchester, or a waxing salon, or a support group for characters from different soap operas who need to get together occasionally to meet "new" people:)

    -ELK

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  9. Anonymous28 April 2016 at 20:20

    Rather than a spin off scripted show I would like to see a reality show, behind the scenes making of. Each week a different area of production is highlighted. One week the wardrobe could show what it takes to get Carla's wedding dress right. The set people show how they did the fire scenes, location scouts take us to different venues, actors rehearsing, script meetings. Since this show no longer has any sense of spoilers it should not make any difference about giving away plots.

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  10. Anonymous28 April 2016 at 22:00

    @ Anonymous 20:20 Love this idea!!

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  11. Anonymous28 April 2016 at 23:29

    In my experience, spoilers rarely work.

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  12. Anonymous29 April 2016 at 02:42

    I really like the Billy the vicar spin-off - he could become a crime fighter! :) In reality, they could have a spin-off that actually uses the majority of the cast who rarely get screen time because of the Platts.

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  13. Anonymous29 April 2016 at 05:16

    spin-offs tend to work when the anchor show is strong. Currently, the show is anything but strong with weak stories and uninteresting characters. Any spin-off at this point will mean Corrie will be even weaker and the new show won't have enough propulsion to take off.

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