Coronation Street has confirmed that Mollie Gallagher, who has played Nina Lucas since 2019, will be leaving the ITV soap after almost seven years. The announcement was made on Monday, 29 June.
Character Background and Departure
Mollie, 28, first appeared on the cobbles in 2019 as the niece of Weatherfield stalwart Roy Cropper, played by David Neilson. She is the daughter of Roy's half-brother, Richard Lucas, and after Richard's death, Roy welcomed Nina into his home. Over the years, the pair developed a strong bond, with Nina living above and working at Roy's Rolls.
Mollie has already filmed her final scenes and has landed her next role: her professional stage debut as Clarice Starling in the UK and Ireland tour of The Silence of the Lambs.
Official Statement
A Coronation Street spokesperson 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 is fantastic for Mollie that she has been given this incredible opportunity to play such an iconic role and we wish her all the best for the theatre tour."
Stage Production Details
Mollie will join other soap stars in the performance, including Oliver Farnworth (former Emmerdale's John Sugden) as Jack Crawford, and John Partridge (former EastEnders' Christian Clarke) as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Skins star Sam Jackson will appear as Buffalo Bill.
Notable Storylines and Achievements
Nina has featured in numerous major storylines since arriving on the cobbles in 2019. In 2021, Mollie won the National Television Award for Best Serial Drama Performance for the soap's powerful hate crime storyline centering on Nina and Seb Franklin, who was tragically written out as part of the plot. In 2023, Mollie appeared on Dancing on Ice, partnered with professional skater Sylvain Longchambon, who is married to Mollie's Corrie co-star Samia Longchambon.
Coronation Street continues on weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV and ITVX.
