Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher has revealed she initially wanted to continue working on the ITV soap while making her stage debut, but realised she could not do both as her Weatherfield exit approaches.
The actress, who plays Nina Lucas, made her first appearance on the Salford-filmed soap in 2019 as the niece of Roy Cropper. She soon became a regular fixture on the cobbles and was involved in a harrowing hate crime storyline that led to the death of her on-screen boyfriend, Seb Franklin. Her performance earned her the National Television Award for Serial Drama Performance.
Nina's Departure and Stage Debut
In upcoming scenes, viewers will see Nina leave her home of six years, with her considering a job in Whitby in episodes airing this week. Last month, it was confirmed that Mollie would leave the programme after six and a half years to make her stage debut as Clarice Starling in the UK and Ireland tour of The Silence of the Lambs.
Speaking to Radio Times, Mollie said the decision was not easy. "Originally I really wanted to find a way to do both," she said. "It sounds ridiculous hearing it now, but I'd seen theatre runs where different actors take on different stints, but I realised pretty quickly that could never work."
She added: "It's so hard, because obviously being on Corrie has been my dream, but also you want to explore other things and to be offered something as great as this, and not be able to do it would be devastating."
Support from Co-stars
Mollie made her stage debut last week. Sharing a photo on Instagram from the red carpet, she wrote: "Theatre debut complete @curve_leicester" and praised the rehearsal process with the creative team. She noted it was her first time on stage since leaving drama school seven years ago and expressed excitement about learning and growing as a performer.
Her Coronation Street co-stars showed their support, with Sally Carman writing "Oh I'm SO EXCITED to see you in this!!!" and Sue Devaney adding "So so proud of you our Mols! Can't wait to see you shine my darling xxxxx Have the best run xxxx".
