Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher has been flooded with messages of love and support as her new role away from the cobbles was revealed, and it was confirmed she is leaving the long-running ITV soap. The actress, best known for playing Nina Lucas, joined the show in 2019 as the niece of Weatherfield stalwart Roy Cropper and quickly became a regular fixture. Now, after six and a half years, Mollie will bow out of the Salford-based show to make her professional stage debut.
Stage Debut as Clarice Starling
Gallagher is set to star as Clarice Starling in the UK and Ireland tour of The Silence of the Lambs, the world stage play premiere of the 1991 film. She will appear alongside fellow former soap stars John Partridge, who played Christian Clarke in EastEnders, as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, and Oliver Farnworth, who played Corrie's Andy Carver and Emmerdale's John Sugden, as Jack Crawford. Sam Jackson has also been cast as Jame Gumb (Buffalo Bill). The adaptation is by two-time Pulitzer finalist and Tony-nominated playwright Gina Gionfriddo.
Tour Dates and Synopsis
The synopsis reads: "When FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to interview psychiatrist and infamous murderer Hannibal Lecter, it is hoped his brilliant mind will help catch sadistic new serial killer Buffalo Bill. Another girl is missing, and time is running out. But Dr. Lecter has questions of his own, and Clarice must decide how close she is willing to get to the darkness inside his mind." Promoters describe the production as "tense, intelligent, atmospheric and impossible to look away from," adding that it "makes the room feel smaller, the silence feel sharper and every glance, pause and word carry danger." The tour will visit Salford's The Lowry from October 6 to 10, 2026, and Blackpool Grand Theatre from January 11 to 16, 2027.
Support from Co-Stars
As Mollie reshared the first look at her new role on Instagram, she received an outpouring of support. Corrie's Sydney Martin said: "Star Girl," while Beth Nixon commented: "OH MY GOD I CANT WAIT! So proud of you @mollie.gallagher_." Catherine Tyldesley added: "Here she is!" Former Corrie star Kimberley Hart-Simpson shared: "Wooooooow I absolutely love this," and Jack James Ryan supported: "There's our girl." 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."
