Jonathan Howard, who portrays the villainous love rat Carl Webster on Coronation Street, has opened up about the constant rejection he faced before landing the role. The actor, now 41, admitted that he was turned down for roles up to three times a week during a difficult period in his career.
Missed Opportunity Led to Growth
Howard revealed that 18 years ago, at age 22, he lost the part of builder Gary Windass to Mikey North. While initially devastated, he now sees it as a blessing. "I didn't get Corrie, but I got a scholarship to drama school," he said. "If I hadn't gone to drama school, I wouldn't have had my daughter and I wouldn't have had 20 years of living and working in America. I appreciate Coronation Street even more coming to it in my 30s, rather than my early 20s."
He added that the discipline and training he gained helped him stay grounded. "All of that could have got a bit mushy if I'd gone straight on to Corrie. It would definitely have gone to my head. Me as a 22 year-old – the head already was big!"
Hollywood Success and Struggles
Moving to Los Angeles in his 20s, Howard worked with stars like Brad Pitt in World War Z (2013) and Anthony Hopkins and Chris Hemsworth in Thor: The Dark World (2013). However, he also endured a tough spell of unemployment. "At one point in my mid 30s I was auditioning constantly and getting rejected three times a week, which was tough," he recalled. "When you do 200 self-tapes and it's a constant no and you have two years of being unemployed, at some point you're going to question whether or not you're suitable for this."
He was even dropped by agents during this period. "It's mentally challenging. I really had to dig deep, persevere and think 'is this heartbreak worth it all? Do I want this enough?'"
Fatherhood and Perspective
Howard, who has a seven-year-old daughter, Minavann, with French actress Elodie Yung, said the hard times allowed him to be a stay-at-home dad. "Luckily, my partner was working, so it meant the bills were paid and I was the stay-at-home dad. As frustrating as it was that I wasn't getting to go to work, on reflection I'm so glad I wasn't working, because I would have missed out on all that time with my daughter."
Now living in Manchester with his daughter, he has reconsidered his future on the cobbles. "My daughter is living over here with me now. Originally, when I joined, it was like 'ok, I'll do 12 months.' But she's settled – she goes to school in Manchester – and so I don't necessarily want to rock the boat right now."
Life on the Cobbles
Howard's character Carl has caused havoc since arriving in Weatherfield, including an affair with Kevin's wife Abi and a multi-vehicle crash. Upcoming storylines see him threaten Kevin with a gun. Howard praised the writers for making Carl complex. "He's not just a bad guy who rips people off and likes sex. I've tried to give him a heart and some humour."
He hopes to stay long enough to explore Carl's relationship with his mother, Debbie, who has early onset dementia. "I think we'd be missing out on something for Carl to leave before he's come to terms with his mum's dementia diagnosis."
From Hollywood to Weatherfield
Despite his Hollywood success, Howard is happy to be back in the UK. "Since being back in the UK I've seen how many great British dramas there are here and if that's what comes out of me being in Corrie, that would be fantastic." He recently appeared in the gothic thriller The Dreadful, playing a 15th-century friar, which explains his short hair on the soap.
Off-screen, Howard stays fit with Jiu-Jitsu and Thai boxing, joking about the many topless scenes he's filmed. "It became a running joke with the crew. Every time I was filming in the hotel room they'd joke 'oh, who's in your bedroom this time.'"
