It has been seven years since Faye Brookes departed the iconic cobbles of Coronation Street, and the actress has remained remarkably active in the entertainment industry, taking on diverse roles and celebrating personal milestones, including her marriage to a former co-star.
From Weatherfield to Wider Horizons
Faye Brookes joined the long-running ITV soap in 2015, portraying Kate Connor, the sister of Aidan Connor, played by Shayne Ward, and half-sister to Carla Connor, portrayed by Alison King. Her character was quickly immersed in significant storylines, from the tragic death of Aidan to a poignant romance with Rana Nazir, played by Bhavna Limbachia.
In a dramatic turn of events, Rana died in the Underworld factory roof collapse in 2019, just before their planned wedding. A heartbroken Kate Connor then left Weatherfield for good, with her final appearance airing on September 13, 2019, as she embarked on travels across the Far East.
Post-Soap Career Ventures
Following her exit from Coronation Street, Faye Brookes ventured into new television and stage projects. In 2021, she competed on the popular skating competition Dancing on Ice, where she impressively finished in second place. The following year, she showcased her theatrical talents by playing Roxie Hart in the UK tour of the musical Chicago.
Most recently, Brookes has returned to television with a role in the CBBC comedy series Girl Troop Vs Aliens. She plays June Hopewell in the show, which follows a group of 12-year-olds battling extraterrestrials. This marks her first TV role since leaving Coronation Street.
In an Instagram post, the actress expressed her excitement, writing, "INTRODUCING... JUNE HOPEWELL. All episodes of GIRL TROOPS VS ALIENS are now streaming on @cbbc and @bbciplayer tune in. What a cast. What a team. What a show." She added, "I spent last summer with the most talented group of people putting this production together and we can finally share it with the world!"
Personal Life and Marriage
Faye Brookes' personal life has also flourished. In 2023, she married actor Iwan Lewis. The couple first met in their early twenties while working together on the play Legally Blonde, where they spent 18 months on tour. After going their separate ways, they reconnected and got engaged in late 2022, just ten months into dating.
They tied the knot on August 23, 2023. Speaking to OK! magazine before the wedding, Brookes shared her joy, stating, "It's making my heart pound now because I still can't believe we're getting married. I'm the happiest I've ever been, I can say that from the bottom of my heart. It's a gut thing too. I'm not questioning anything."
Coronation Street continues to air Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, but for Faye Brookes, life beyond the soap has proven to be a vibrant journey filled with new opportunities and personal happiness.
