Coronation Street Star Charlie Lawson Blasts 'Weak' Final Plot for Jim McDonald
Charlie Lawson, the celebrated actor renowned for his portrayal of Jim McDonald on Coronation Street, has launched a scathing critique of the soap's bosses, asserting they "ruined" his iconic character with a "weak" final storyline. The 66-year-old performer, who first appeared as the troubled Jim in 1989, revealed that the character will meet an off-screen death, a decision he views as putting the role "out of his misery."
A Legacy Marred by Controversial Storylines
Over his three-decade tenure on the cobbles, Jim McDonald became a household name, entangled in gripping narratives involving alcoholism, infidelity, and domestic violence. As the father to Steve and Andy McDonald, his character was frequently incarcerated for various crimes, adding depth to his turbulent marriage with Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald, played by Beverley Callard.
The couple married twice, ultimately parting ways in 2005. Jim's last major storyline in 2018, however, has drawn particular ire from Lawson. In that plot, Jim returned with a woman claiming to be their daughter Katie, who had died shortly after birth early in their marriage. This turned out to be an elaborate lie concocted with his new lover, Hannah, to scam Liz out of money.
"The storyline was weak," Lawson stated emphatically. "So many people contacted me to say they hated it. I agreed to it before I even saw the script. The work was lucrative—you can’t really turn it down."
Fan Outcry and Character Legacy
Lawson's criticism echoes widespread fan discontent, with viewers taking to social media to lambast the 2018 plot. One fan described it as "grotesque," questioning how such a "warped" idea progressed beyond initial conception. Another lamented the storyline's inconsistency with Jim's established character, noting it felt "lazy" and nonsensical.
Reflecting on his character's journey, Lawson expressed pride in the "cracking, strong storylines" of the 1990s, contrasting them with the final arc. "I will raise a glass to the old Jim, the one I loved and was proud of, who spoke his mind," he remarked, while anticipating watching his final scene and dismissing it as subpar.
No Regrets Despite Criticism
Despite his vocal disapproval of the storyline, Lawson insists he harbors "no regrets" about his time on Coronation Street. Informed of Jim's off-screen death by producers late last year, the actor acknowledged mixed feelings about the soap. "There are some bits I will miss about Corrie and some I won’t," he told The Sun. "But I have no regrets. That’s just life, so it is."
Lawson, known for Jim's catchphrase "so it is," has also enjoyed roles in The Bill, Bread, and Doctors, alongside a successful theatre career. His comments follow recent interactions with fans on X (formerly Twitter), where he reposted critiques of the controversial plot without direct response.
Fans have continued to debate the storyline's impact, with some recalling it as "atrocious" and worse than earlier plots like Jim's bank robbery, which at least aligned more closely with his character's traits. The absence of a redemption arc for Jim has further fueled disappointment among long-time viewers.
As Coronation Street moves forward without Jim McDonald, Lawson's forthright assessment underscores the delicate balance between creative storytelling and preserving character integrity in long-running television dramas.
