Fans of the long-running ITV soap Coronation Street have been left astonished by a recent revelation about one of its newer cast members. Aaron McCusker, who joined the cobbles last year as the character Ben Driscoll, previously starred in a major Hollywood blockbuster that has only just come to light for many viewers.
Aaron McCusker's Arrival on the Cobbles
The 47-year-old actor made his debut on the famous Manchester street in 2025, stepping into the role of Ben Driscoll. His character arrived in Weatherfield as the partner of Eva Price, portrayed by Catherine Tyldesley, who was making her own return to the soap after a seven-year absence.
Ben's storyline quickly became central to the show's narrative when he purchased the iconic Rovers Return Inn for Eva, enabling her to become the pub's landlady. However, this generous gesture came with significant strings attached. His mother, Maggie Driscoll, played by Pauline McLynn, had contributed to the purchase and would be moving into the establishment alongside them.
The new family unit on the cobbles expanded to include Eva's daughter Susie, along with Ben's two sons from a previous relationship, Ollie and Will, creating a complex domestic dynamic that has provided ample dramatic material for the show's writers.
A Career Beyond the Cobbles
While McCusker may be a relative newcomer to Coronation Street, he is certainly not new to the acting profession. The Irish actor boasts an impressive resume that includes several notable television roles.
He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Jamie Maguire in the Channel 4 series Shameless, a role he maintained from 2007 to 2013. His other television credits include appearances as Finn Maguire in Marcella, Clint Dunwoody in Hope Street, Wally Schirra in The Astronaut Wives Club, and Jason Donnelly in Fortitude.
The Hollywood Revelation
However, it is one particular film role that has recently captured the attention of soap enthusiasts. In 2018, McCusker took on the role of Jim Hutton, the long-term partner of legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, in the biographical drama Bohemian Rhapsody.
The film, which chronicles the rise of Queen and Mercury's personal struggles with fame, sexuality, and illness, became a global phenomenon. It achieved remarkable success at the 91st Academy Awards, securing four Oscars for Best Actor (Rami Malek as Mercury), Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing, while also receiving a nomination for Best Picture.
McCusker's portrayal placed him alongside an ensemble cast that included Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, Gwilym Lee as Brian May, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, Joe Mazzello as John Deacon, and Aidan Gillen as John Reid.
Fan Reactions to the Discovery
The connection between the Coronation Street actor and the award-winning film has sparked considerable discussion among viewers on social media platforms. On a dedicated Facebook fan page, one astonished viewer commented, "How did I just realise that Eva’s husband played Freddie mercury’s partner in bohemian rhapsody knew I recognised him."
The revelation prompted a wave of similar responses, with another fan exclaiming, "Oh wow!!!!" while a different viewer acknowledged, "That's where I remembered him from thanks for that." Others expressed complete surprise, with comments including "I did not know that" and "Wow that’s good spotting, I had no idea!"
This discovery highlights how actors often move between different genres and mediums, bringing their previous experiences to new roles. McCusker's transition from portraying the partner of a rock legend to navigating the dramatic complexities of Weatherfield demonstrates the versatility required in modern acting careers.
Coronation Street continues to air on ITV1 and ITVX, with episodes broadcast Monday through Friday at 8:30 PM, where viewers can now watch Ben Driscoll with the added knowledge of his portrayer's notable cinematic past.
