Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher has hinted that her character Nina Lucas may not have left Weatherfield for good, as she prepares to make her stage debut in a touring production of The Silence of the Lambs.
The 28-year-old actress, who has portrayed Nina since 2019, confirmed her departure from the ITV soap last month. Her final scenes are set to air shortly, but during an appearance on Monday's This Morning, she suggested this might not be the end of Nina's story.
“I believe it's not the end of Nina's story,” Gallagher told presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley. “I love Corrie so much and, yeah, I really hope it's not the end. I don't feel like it is.” Her comments left the hosts visibly thrilled by the possibility of a return.
Nina Lucas: A Beloved Character
Gallagher first appeared on the cobbles in 2019 as the niece of Weatherfield favourite Roy Cropper, played by David Neilson. Nina is the daughter of Roy's half-brother, Richard Lucas, and after Richard's death, Roy took Nina under his wing, offering her a home and a job at Roy's Rolls cafe. Over the years, the duo forged a close bond, with Nina living above the cafe and working there.
A Coronation Street spokesperson commented on Gallagher's departure: “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.”
New Stage Role in The Silence of the Lambs
Gallagher has already wrapped up her final scenes on the soap and secured her next venture: her professional stage debut as Clarice Starling in the UK and Ireland touring production of The Silence of the Lambs. She will be joined by fellow soap alumni, including Emmerdale's John Sugden actor Oliver Farnworth as Jack Crawford, and former EastEnders star John Partridge, who played Christian Clarke, taking on the role of Dr Hannibal Lecter. Further cast members include Skins favourite Sam Jackson as Buffalo Bill.
Viewing Information
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV and ITVX. Fans can catch Gallagher's final episodes in the coming weeks before she embarks on her new theatrical role.
