‘Coronation Street' is set to stir things up with the arrival of three new male characters.
Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard), James Bailey (Jason Callender) and new arrival Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) have plenty of family ties and more than enough history to bring fresh drama and conflict to some of our most well loved residents. But aside from the smiles, what really lies beneath the charming exterior of these three men and what secrets do they carry?
James Bailey will be the first to land on our screens on Monday 17th March 2025. He’s been living in the US with partner Danny and when he comes back to pay his family a visit and check on sister Dee-Dee he quickly slots back into family life with his easy going, cheeky charm. But away from Weatherfield what has ex-footballer James’ life looked like and what is he searching for next?
The role of James, previously played by Nathan Graham, has been taken up by Jason Callender (‘Silent Witness', ‘Outlander', ‘Mallory Towers') who reveals he’s ‘super excited to be sliding into the Bailey family.'
Jason says: “James is determined, whatever he puts his mind to he absolutely goes for it. He’s a little brother so expect little brother pranks but more than anything he loves his family and he really wants to be a dad.”
What is James going to bring to the street? “James is bringing a lot of warmth, a little bit of love, charisma and a little bit of charm” Jason tells us.
Not new to the show’s history, but new to the cobbles, Carl Webster will be played by Jonathan Howard (‘Thor – The Dark Side', ‘Downton Abbey' and ‘Godzilla King of The Monsters') who explains: “Carl is Kevin and Debbie Webster’s little brother, they have different mums so he’s a bit younger than they are. He comes into Weatherfield to ostensibly be with his brother because he’s found out he’s got cancer but then we’ll discover Carl’s got some money issues back in Germany where he’s been living.”
We’ll first see Carl on April 11th when he’s involved in a heated scrap with Abi over a car park space before either realise she is in fact his brother’s wife. As sparks fly and temperatures rise between them, can Carl charm his way out of this one and will Kevin and Debbie be pleased to have their little brother hanging around, whatever his motives are?
Jonathan reveals: “I don’t think Carl is going to be too bad but I don’t think he’s going to be good either, I think his heart is in the right place but he might be holding on to some resentment towards his brother because he’s left him to be on his own his whole life.”
On Carl’s antics with the ladies Jonathan said: “He’s maybe a little bit selfish, especially between his trousers sometimes!”
Theo Silverton is a new arrival to ‘Coronation Street', working close by as a scaffolder he first gets on the wrong side of both Julie and then George before Todd helps him to patch things up with the locals. There’s an instant attraction from Todd but with Theo playing his cards close to his chest, has Todd finally found his Mr Right?
Playing Theo, James Cartwright (‘The Archers', ‘Downton Abbey Movie' and ‘Johnny Shakespeare') tells us: “I think Theo is a good guy, he comes in with the best of intentions, as most people do, but he may upset some people with his behaviour.”
Giving us a bit of an insight into Theo’s antics, James reveals: “I had a line the other day where I said ‘I think I left my trousers in the bedroom’ so make of that what you will.”
First on screen on 25th March, James said on getting the role: “I was very excited, a lot of my memories growing up as a young boy were settling down with my gran after tea, she’d make me a crumpet and we’d sit there and watch ‘Corrie'. I feel like it’s a great honour to be a part of something that’s brought joy to people for so long.”
Jonathan also grew up watching ‘Corrie': “I was a super fan of ‘Corrie' as a kid, I watched it every single night, a lot of my childhood memories are growing up watching the street so it feels kind of surreal to be on the cobbles. And I play Kevin Webster’s brother. I remember watching Kevin Webster when I was a teenager and then to suddenly be doing scenes with him is surreal.”
On getting the role Jason said: “I’m still waiting for it to sink in, I was completely speechless when I got told. You’re stepping into something that’s so iconic, Britain’s longest running TV show. Growing up it was always on in the background, my family absolutely love it, my nan is 93 years old and she still religiously watches it, so it’s amazing for me to be part of something that she loves and hopefully I can make her smile.”
‘Coronation Street' airs on ITV and ITVX.
