Catherine Tyldesley has signed a new contract to remain on Coronation Street for another 12 months, extending her return as Eva Price. The actress, who rejoined the cobbles after a seven-year absence, will continue in the role that saw her take over the Rovers Return alongside her new blended family.
Return and Storylines
Since her comeback, Eva has been involved in several major plots, including a feud with her mother-in-law Maggie, played by Pauline McLynn, and supporting her partner Ben (Aaron McCusker) after the revelation that his presumed father was accidentally killed by his mother. The storyline also touched on the grooming and sexual abuse of young Will (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) by teacher Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) and the subsequent court case.
Eva's reunion with her sisters, Leanne and Toyah Battersby (Jane Danson and Georgia Taylor), led to her offering support when their stepson Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) developed schizophrenia amid psychological torture inflicted by Megan.
Contract Extension
A Coronation Street source told the Sun: 'Cath's return was a big risk for her – she'd built up a great career away from Weatherfield that not everyone who leaves manages to do but being back has just been perfect.'
'It means she can spend more time with her family and still do the job she loves. She's going to continue to be at the heart of the show and was happy to extend her return for another year.'
Catherine's Reaction
Speaking on her return at the time, Catherine said: 'I really meant what I said when I left that I'd love to come back, because Eva is so much fun to play.'
'It felt really serendipitous I suppose, I was in Malta filming and my agent was like Kate Brooks would like to talk to you about Corrie and I assumed it was somebody's funeral. I thought, 'Somebody's dying, they want me to rock up!''
'I remember my agent saying, 'I don't really know what to expect, let's just keep a poker face and let's hear her out and see what happens.'
'We were on a Zoom and Kate said, 'Would you like to be landlady?' 'My agent was like, 'Cath, nice one!' I was just really shocked. It's an absolute dream. I remember watching the show as a kid and thinking, 'I'd kill to be landlady one day. How cool would that be?''
'I'd been away for nine months at this point and I feel truly blessed to have carried on working and done some great things, but I felt like the universe had combined things at the right time.'
'I remember [her husband] saying to me, 'God, I hope your next job is in Manchester, Cath!' And then we got this call.'
'I'd been asked before to come back and I'd always made a point of emailing the producers because it genuinely didn't work in the past because I had other projects but I was actually like, 'This could work!''
'So it all came around at the right time on a personal and professional level. It felt right and I'm so thrilled to be back. It's just been so gorgeous!'
Other Projects
Catherine took a brief break earlier in the year to film a proper exit from her role in the Channel 5 cosy-crime drama, Good Ship Murder, in which she played first officer Kate Woods. A source revealed at the time: 'Cath spoke to her bosses at Corrie about taking some time off to film her Good Ship exit and they agreed.'
'When she agreed to return to the soap, there was a lot of uncertainty about whether or not she would be able to go back, but fortunately, it's all working out.'
