List of Coronation Street characters introduced in 2020
Coronation Street is a British soap opera first broadcast on 9 December 1960. The following is a list of characters introduced in 2020, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by series producer Iain MacLeod. The first character to be introduced is Danny Tomlinson, a love interest of James Bailey, in February. In March, Arthur Medwin was introduced as a love interest for Evelyn Plummer, and April saw the arrival of an old friend of Johnny Connor, Scott Emberton, as well as the ex-wife of Rick Neelan, Laura Neelan. Nicky Wheatley made her first appearance in June as a new love interest for Daniel Osbourne. The former partner of Geoff Metcalfe and biological mother of Tim Metcalfe, [|Elaine Jones], made her first appearance in July, and George Shuttleworth made his debut in September. In October, Sam Blakeman made his debut as the son of Natasha Blakeman and Nick Tilsley. Daisy Midgeley then made her first appearance in November. Additionally, multiple [|other characters] appear throughout the year.
Danny Tomlinson
Danny Tomlinson, played by Dylan Brady, first appeared in episode 10,006, first broadcast on 14 February 2020. Danny is introduced as a former colleague of Ed Bailey, who comes out as gay to Ed. Ed is shocked, but supports Danny. When he leaves, Ed's son James Bailey kisses him, and it is revealed that they have a romantic history. James is not out as gay to his father, and Danny struggles with lying to Ed, so James promises to come out. Danny accidentally tweets James, asking him when they can see each other, which the media see. James is outed, and despite apologising to him, he does not forgive Danny.Details about the character and Brady's casting were announced on 9 February 2020. On his casting, Brady commented "I met with casting director Gennie Radcliffe and one of the directors and I did a read through. A week later I was told I’d got the part. It was so exciting, to be a part of a show that’s so ingrained in my childhood. I grew up watching it."
Arthur Medwin
Arthur Medwin, played by Paul Copley, is the ex-boyfriend of Evelyn Plummer, whom she begins a relationship with again. Copley's casting was announced on 14 January 2020, and was described to be playing a "secret role". On the day of the casting announcement, he was seen arriving on set and had been seen filming scenes with Lipman and Alan Halsall, who plays her on-screen grandson, Tyrone Dobbs.Arthur was Copley's third role in Coronation Street, after playing a photographer in 1972 and Ivor Priestley in 2007. Arthur first appeared on 16 March 2020, and after the death of his wife Beryl, he built up a relationship with Evelyn, which ended when he wanted to go to Canada and she did not, leading to his departure nearly a year later.
Scott Emberton
Scott Emberton, portrayed by Tom Roberts, first appeared on 15 April 2020. Scott is introduced a visitor staying at the Rovers' B&B, who has an undisclosed connection to established character Johnny Connor. Upon his arrival, Liz McDonald flirts with Scott, and he buys her a drink. It is later revealed that Scott knows Johnny from their youth, when they used to commit crimes together. Years before his arrival in Weatherfield, Scott took responsibility for Johnny's crimes by going to prison for him. Scott takes a dislike to Ray Crosby, and when he discovers that Ray is rich, Scott devises a plan to rob his bistro. Scott coerces Johnny into helping him, but when Johnny instead calls the police on the robbery, Scott shoots police officer Craig Tinker. After Johnny informs wife Jenny Bradley of his history with Scott and the robbery of the bistro, Scott takes the pair hostage and states that he will kill the pair of them, as well as himself. However, Scott gives himself up to the police. His final scenes aired on 30 October 2020.Talking to Inside Soap on his character's connection to Johnny, Roberts commented: "It's obvious that Johnny fears Scott – he thought this guy was out of his life forever and now he’s turned up at his B&B!", adding: "He greets Johnny as though he’s really pleased to see him, but there are things underneath that haven’t yet come to the surface. It’s pretty clear that Johnny wants to avoid Scott". On Scott's relationship with Liz, Roberts said: "Scott is drawn to Liz McDonald. He spends a lot of time propping up the Rovers bar, being quick with the jokes and banter. This is a man who lives quite a transient life because he’s a building project manager, so he moves from job to job around the country."
Laura Neelan
Laura Neelan, played by Kel Allen, first appeared on 27 April 2020. Laura is the mother of Kelly Neelan who arrives in Weatherfield to question why Gary Windass is seeing Kelly so much. Laura asks Gary where her husband, Rick Neelan is, and instead of telling Laura he killed Rick, he says that Rick is abroad. As Gary is secretly paying for Kelly's private school fees, he asks why Kelly is now attending Weatherfield High, and he tells her that Rick wants her to attend private school again. After Kelly reports Laura to the police for child neglect, she is charged but given a suspended sentence.Details surrounding Allen's casting were announced on 26 March 2020. In an interview with Digital Spy, Allen spoke about storylines that she would like for her character, such as Laura having a relationship with established character Peter Barlow. On a potential relationship with Adam Barlow, she stated that "she just wants to jump into bed with him, as that's what she's about", and joked that "Laura can go around all the Barlows, try them all out!" She also explained that she would love to work in The Rovers Return Inn, saying: "She would be behind that bar pulling pints, taking tips and popping them in her bra. She's that kind of girl, isn't she? She'd be swapping numbers with whoever comes through the door, if she knows what's in the bank account. She's for the money and she's for an easy life. That's what I love about her", adding that she could "definitely see as a barmaid". Allen also stated that Laura is "such a character", and that she is completely different to Allen in real life. Inside Soaps Laura-Jayne Tyler opined that Laura should be promoted to a series regular; she admitted that the character is a "car crash" but felt that it added to her charm. Allen has appeared in Coronation Street previously, as Lulu Lockett, a club owner that Bethany Platt worked for in 2018.
In February 2022, Allen confirmed that she had opted to leave Coronation Street. Her exit storyline will see Laura tell Kelly that she has stomach cancer and has months to live in "heartbreaking scenes". Her last appearance was broadcast on 8 April 2022 where she died peacefully in her sleep.
In 2022, Laura-Jayne Tyler from Inside Soap praised the character, writing, "We chuffin' love Kelly's mum Laura. We're praying that her dying confession is a big fat scam so Corrie can make her a regular".
DS Abney
Detective Sergeant Abney, played Fiona Skinner, was a police officer who investigated crimes that occurred in Weatherfield between 2020–2021. She first appeared on 4 May 2020 when she leads the questioning of Yasmeen Metcalfe after she stabbed her husband, Geoff Metcalfe in the throat in self-defence. After gaining consciousness, she also goes to question Geoff, but is interrupted by Yasmeen's granddaughter, Alya Nazir. Khan explained: "She's full of rage, but her outburst doesn’t impress DS Abney, who seems to be treating Geoff as the victim. She's led away by the police, but manages to catch Sally alone and begs her to realise that this is so out of character for Yasmeen. She plants a seed of doubt in Sally's mind about who Geoff really is."Abney also interviewed Yasmeen after Geoff died falling off his roof after setting his house on fire with Yasmeen inside on 9 December 2020. Yasmeen thought that she was being interviewed as a suspect of Geoff's potential murder, but Abney clarified it was as a witness. In August 2021, she investigates the salon flat fire which was started by Hope Stape, and questions her to see if she knows the difference between right and wrong. In October 2021, she investigates a case involving Abi Franklin holding Corey Brent at gunpoint. She arrives at No. 13 Coronation Street that the gun that killed Natasha Blakeman was the same one used by Tez Wyatt in a raid several years ago. Tez was who Abi bought the gun from.
Nicky Wheatley
Nicky Wheatley, played by Kimberly Hart-Simpson, made her first appearance on 17 June 2020. The character and casting details were announced on 2 June 2020, with the actress who has previously appeared on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks confirming her casting on Instagram. Nicky is introduced as a love interest for established character Daniel Osbourne, with Mallard comparing her to Daniel's late wife Sinead Osbourne. He commented: "Nicky has no boundaries and for Daniel, who is so uptight, it's refreshing to have someone who doesn't tip-toe around him. She is very bolshy and that is what attracts him. She is very opposite to Sinead, because Sinead wasn't like that, but they are both a similar height, both are blonde, and from the first glance, subconsciously, he will have been drawn to her. Maybe subconsciously, Nicky also reminds Daniel of Sinead in a way."Hart-Simpson expressed her joy at being cast in Coronation Street, having wanted to appear in the soap for over ten years prior to her casting. She commented: "I love other soaps and love other TV programmes, but it’s just in my blood and if you snapped me in half, I’d say Corrie no doubt. What they do for women on that programme is just incredible." She also talked about having an interaction with Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Tanner, on her first day which left her "star-struck". Hart-Simpson explained that she found out more about Nicky's background from reading scripts, rather than knowing beforehand. On her character being a sex worker, Hart-Simpson stated that she had a "strong reason in my head as to why she's doing this job", and that rather than "being able to afford a nice handbag", she wanted Nicky to have a deeper reasoning for her occupation.
Laura Denby of Radio Times wrote a piece praising the character of Nicky. She wrote that due to the "impact" Nicky had made on the soap within her first few months, the character deserved more than being "love interest status", in referral to Nicky only appearing as Daniel's love interest. Denby stated that there is "definitely potential to make her a permanent fixture", and noted her "strength and confidence", "likeable presence and fighting spirit", as well as her "sharp tongue and bubbly nature". Denby also compared her to "icons" Hilda Ogden and Carla Connor, adding that "anyone who can match the resilience of these soap icons deserves more than a 'shelf life' storyline." Denby proposed the idea that Nicky would be a good barmaid in the Rovers Return Inn, stating that an "unlikely friendship" with Emma Brooker would be "TV gold". She concluded the piece by commenting: "Nicky could be destined for soap longevity as an established character".
On 28 October 2020, it was announced that Hart-Simpson had made her final appearance as Nicky a month prior to the confirmation. The Sun reported that a source on the programme stated: "Nicky's proved really popular with viewers and the bosses absolutely love Kimberly. The character has gone off for the storyline to develop but the door is very much open for her return." In a radio interview in March 2021, Hart-Simpson stated that she wants to reprise her role as Nicky, joking: "I'd give my left tit to go back, quite frankly". She added that "the door has completely remained open", and that her "heart will forever and utterly be Coronation Street", since she grew up watching it. In December 2021, she announced that she was returning to the soap in 2022. In July 2022, Hart-Simpson confirmed via her Instagram account that she had left the soap and her final scenes had aired in the episode broadcast 1 July 2022.
In April 2024, it was announced that Hart-Simpson would reprise the role of Nicky later that year, with the actress saying, "It's been 4 years since we first met Nicky and it is once again a pleasure to be back on the cobbles. Stories surrounding women within the sex industry have often been forgotten, shamed or unspoken. But not at Coronation Street, they respectfully explore the world these women live in, the impact it has on the community and at some points dangers attached to the work I am looking forward to the audience finding out who and where she is today".
Gary Gillatt from Inside Soap joked that Nicky "has the best 'appalled' face in soap. She's like a human emoji".