Here's who's leaving and joining Coronation Street in 2026
Hello and goodbye
There will be some people leaving and some also joining this year in Coronation Street, and some names have already been revealed.
2026 has already kicked off with some huge drama, and there’s lots more of that to look forward to. Here’s who we can expect to see depart and enter the cobbles this year.
*Note this article is regularly updated to reflect recent cast changes.*
Who’s leaving Coronation Street in 2026?
Mollie Gallagher as Nina Lucas
Actress Mollie Gallagher has secured a new role in the stage production of the Silence of the Lamb.
This means that she’s now stepped away from her role as Nina Lucas in Coronation Street, with Nina’s final scenes expected to air in August.
A source told Digital Spy: “Mollie has created a unique and well-loved character in Nina over the past six and a half years and everyone will be sorry to see her go.”
It has not yet been revealed what Nina’s final storyline on the soap will look like.
Beth Nixon as Megan Walsh
Beth Nixon bowed out of Coronation Street at the start of July as her character Megan was sentenced to five years in prison for grooming teen Will Driscoll.
Megan was last seen shouting in court, begging her mum Janine to do something, as she was then sent down to her cell.
The scenes marked the end of actress Beth Nixon’s stint on the soap, with the storyline also coming to a close.
Character Will Driscoll is now looking to the future now that his child abuser gym coach is behind bars.
Farrel Hegarty as Lou Michaelis
After coming back for a short stint, Farrel Hegarty departed the show as Lou Michaelis once more.
Speaking on the Girlfriend Material podcast in mid-March, Farrel revealed: “I’m out of the show now.”
She then confirmed: “I’ve stopped filming.”
“I came back in Corrie for, like, a short stint. I was [initially] in it for six months and I came back because I’m in prison. She’s in prison. She’s not a good girl.”
Lou remained in prison while her fellow inmate Debbie Webster was then released after her appeal.
James Cartwright as Theo Silverton
Coronation Street villain Theo Silverton’s time on the ITV soap came to an end on April 23rd as he was found dead by Betsy Swain. This marked James Cartwright’s exit from the cobbles.
After Theo’s death, a murder investigation kicked off which involved six suspects – Danielle, Todd, Summer, George, Christina, and Gary.
Who killed Theo still currently remains a mystery.
Claire Sweeney as Cassie Plummer
Cassie Plummer will be leaving the Street this summer, as part of an ‘explosive’ storyline.
This is due to actress Claire Sweeney joining the UK tour of Annie the Musical, playing the role of Miss Hannigan.
A Coronation Street spokesperson told The Sun: “We wish Claire every success playing Miss Hannigan and congratulate her on being offered a role she has long wanted to play.
“Cassie will be on the cobbles until the summer during which time she will continue to make her presence felt in Weatherfield leading up to a great exit storyline.”
Full details of Cassie’s departure are being kept tightly under wraps. However, her final moments are said to be ‘explosive’ – so viewers should brace themselves.
Amy Cudden as Becky Swain
Becky Swain was arrested at the end of the Corriedale episode after holding Carla hostage in a shipping container. Her true corruption and fake death were exposed, with the villain heading straight to prison.
No trial took place, and Becky was sentenced to a whopping 12 years behind bars.
Her last scenes saw her rocking in her cell as finally received her comeuppance.
Reflecting on her time on the show, actress Amy Cudden shared on Instagram, The Sun reported: “That’s a wrap on Becky Swain… I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity.”
She also then thanked her fellow soap co-stars, writing: “To my lovely on-screen family who I miss SO MUCH! @vicksmyers @sydneymartin and the magical fire tornado that is Ali King.
“Three incredible screen queens that I adore, and I’m so grateful to have fallen from the soapy sky into their warm embrace. Swarla forever.”
Daniel Brocklebank as Billy Mayhew
Daniel Brocklebank’s time on the ITV came to an end as his character Billy Mayhew was killed off after 12 years.
Billy was part of the huge Corriedale soap crossover episode and was driving a minibus full of Debbie and Ronnie’s wedding guests when the vehicle crashed into Carl and Debbie’s car.
Billy was trapped in the driver’s seat and couldn’t escape. Villain Theo had the chance to free him but purposely left Billy to die and then watched as the flames engulfed the van with him inside.
Filming his final scenes in November 2025, Daniel Brocklebank took to Instagram to reflect on his time on the cobbles.
He wrote: “That’s it. Last scene filmed. Bye bye @coronationstreet. Bye bye Billy. The last 11 years have gone by in a blink. I’ve adored every moment of being part of this special family. I can’t thank @itv and all at Corrie enough. It’s been a ride. I adore you all.”
Who’s joining Coronation Street in 2026?
Junade Khan as Idris
Leanne really does have a habit of keeping romance in the family. Years after falling for Kal Nazir, she’s now set to turn the head of Alya’s cousin Idris.
And it sounds like Idris won’t have to try too hard either.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Corrie producer Kate Brooks teased: “Idris is very charming – the charm oozes out of every pore of this guy!
“He’s a savvy businessman and he’s got a bit of a ruthless streak. He’s not ready to get his hands even slightly dirty! But he can charm the birds from the trees.
“Idris is a new love interest for Leanne. The attraction is instantaneous. It gives Leanne a new lease of life. She’s been harbouring a deep-rooted resentment towards Toyah and Nick, because that’s the life she had.”
Cindy Humphrey as Melanie Driscoll
Cindy Humphrey has joined Coronation Street as Melanie Driscoll – the mum of Ollie and Will and ex-wife of Ben.
She arrived on the cobbles after Ollie calls her begging for help with Will’s situation.
Fuming that Ben and Maggie failed to stop Megan from grooming Will, Melanie rushed in to protect her son. She’s now threatening to expose Maggie’s murder secret unless she does exactly as she wants.
Kelli Hollis as Debbie’s fellow prison inmate
Former Emmerdale star Kelli Hollis, who played Ali Spencer, joined the cast of Coronation Street to play a fellow prisoner of Debbie Webster’s. And, the prisoner – Paula- was actually the ‘Queen Bee’ of the place.
Kelli had been busy living in Thailand, running a ‘weed bar’ business. But, she was then ready to dabble back into the acting world.
A source told The Sun: ““Corrie bosses wanted someone who could really make an impact and knew Kelli would be perfect for the guest role.
“She’s been away from Emmerdale for over a decade now, so the soap fans are going to love seeing her back on our screens.
“Although her character is going to leave them shocked because she is not very nice at all and is set to make Debbie’s life hell.”
Her scenes played out on screen in February, with the role being a guest one.
Kelli was said to be making a return to acting after shutting down her Thai ‘weed bar’ as tighter recreational drug restrictions came into force last year.
Steve Evets as Shona and Jodie’s dad
Former Emmerdale star Steve Evets joined the ITV soap as Jodie and Shona’s dad.
Shona had been busy trying to track her and Jodie’s dad down despite Jodie attempting to prevent her from doing so.
Shona then realised that Jodie had been looking after their dad who was in a bad way.
Tim Treloar as Mal Roper
Call the Midwife star Tim Treloar joined the soap as Mal Roper at the end of January.
He’s a mysterious character who got quite cosy with a grieving Bernie at the Chariot Square Hotel.
He also then headed over to Roy’s Rolls to reveal that he’s the husband of Roy’s date – Alice. Yes, he revealed that Alice had been having an affair behind his back!
But, it turned out Mal had been catfishing Roy. And, he’d also then become really obsessed with having Bernie all to himself no matter the cost.
Olivia Frances Brown as Jodie Ramsey
Olivia Frances Brown joined the soap at the start of January 2026, appearing in the Corriedale episode on January 5th.
Her character – at the time without a name – was tied up in a van driven by Emmerdale’s Graham Foster.
It was then later revealed that her character was named Jodie Ramsey – Shona Platt’s half-sister.
At the moment, it’s unclear what exactly went on in Jodie’s past. But, it’s fair to say that she has some dark secrets!
