It's always a big moment when a new Corrie producer takes the reigns, and quite natural for fans to receive the news with both excitement and trepidation, as we anticipate how the show will be shaped under their authority.
Kate Brooks was appointed to the role in April 2024, and we're told her first episodes are set to appear on our screens in mid-December; just in time for Christmas.
I travelled to Coronation Street studios in Manchester for her first press conference, which was packed with news, views and spoilers.
Those who don't wish to be in the know should look away now.
I'm delighted to be able to bring you a flavour, from Kate, of what the festive season will hold via a series of blogs. As the biggest news is that the Christmas Day episode will be Gail Rodwell's last, with actress Helen Worth bidding farewell to the show, this first in the series will focus on that storyline.
It's quite simply impossible to imagine Corrie without Gail after 50 brilliant years, and she leaves a proud legacy of both iconic performances, and the kind of reassuring presence, whether on-screen or not, which is the hallmark of any great soap character. She might also leave a final sprinkle of confetti in her wake - or not - as we're told her farewell may - or may not - involve a wedding to husband number five.
Here's what Kate had to say about this, and what we can expect overall from Coronation Street this Christmas.
“It is, in a word, very fun. It's a really lively Christmas on the Street. It's really festive.”
“Lots of bombshells are dropped. Obviously this is set against Gail's wedding - whether she goes through with that or not, I cannot tell - but it is a story about the Platts at the heart of it. Basically, it's a story about family and how secrets can impact and implode on a family, so there is a lot of betrayals, lots of secrets are exposed during this episode, and it will feel very kind of Classic Corrie with a bit of a twist.”
“Obviously, I think we're all in need of a bit of escapism at the minute, and we've had quite a dark, and brilliant, few months on the cobbles. Christmas, and the Christmas period for us, is all about trying to tap into the family dynamics of the Platts - what makes people tick - and ultimately trying to make sure that we give the glorious Gail the exit that she deserves."
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"Hopefully people will be crying, they'll be laughing, there'll be gasps as people kind of watch and go, 'Oh my goodness! That's just happened!' [It's] old school Corrie, but just with a real modern twist, and I think people will really, really enjoy it.”
“I want people to sit down Christmas night with a full tummy, watch this episode Christmas Day and go, 'You know, that's exactly what I needed.' So that's what Corrie is this Christmas.”
I don't know about you reading this, but when I heard fun, lively, festive, family, Classic / Old School Corrie, escapism, nostalgia and laughter, I was already thinking, that's exactly what I need from Coronation Street, before even seeing the episode. It sounds like essential viewing this Christmas, not least on foot Gail's farewell, which is the end of an era in the truest sense.
Expanding on what we can expect from her departure storyline, Kate says, “In the run up to Christmas she's found out that some of her nearest and dearest have absolutely betrayed her. She doesn't know who to believe. Even her dear old Mum has lied to her and she really struggles with that and she's a bit, like, 'I don't know whether I want this. I don't know whether I want to be with Jesse.' She contemplates and questions everything and every decision she's ever made; and obviously Gail's had a really colourful past, so that will be part of that Christmas Day episode.”
“She's going to leave the Street, and it's going to be so wonderful and sad, 'cos I'm devastated that Gail's leaving. It really devastates me, 'cos she's so iconic. And I think that label gets bandied about quite readily, but it's Gail! 50 years she's been on the Street. We've watched her grow, and it was really important to make sure that her exit and departure felt really fitting and in keeping with who she is as a character.”
Kate came across as very down to earth, passionate and knowledgable about the show. She did work on Corrie previously between 2011 and 2016, first as a storyliner and then story editor, before moving to a producer role with Emmerdale, so that may make her familiarity with it not wholly surprising. But she had on a Newton & Ridley jumper when we met – an homage to Weatherfield's finest brewery – which gave the impression we weren't just speaking with someone assigned to the position, but a fan of the show, and up for a bit of fun to boot; here's hoping her lovely good humour makes its way into the scripts!
Now that we have an overall sense of the feel of the festive season on the cobbles, and what a farewell may look like for Gail, you can read all about what Kate had to say about those other characters which will feature most at Christmas and in the build up:
Christmas Eves: Carla and Lisa get Festive? Interview with Corrie Producer Kate Brooks
Oh Christmas Three! Corrie Producer Kate Brooks Talks Daisy, Bethany and Daniel
By Emma Hynes
Read all about my recent trip to Coronation Street in A Rover Returns.
Read my recent Corrie interview with Calum Lill
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