Nathan Sussex has made his debut on Coronation Street as Richie Parkinson, a new character who quickly reconnects with his cousin Tim Metcalfe. However, some viewers may recognize the actor from a very different role in a rival soap.
Familiar Face on the Cobbles
Sussex first appeared as Richie during Thursday's (August 6) episode, now available on ITVX. Tim (Joe Duttine) was surprised to find his long-lost cousin in the precinct. With Sally (Sally Dynevor) away, Tim invited Richie for drinks with his mates, but his best friend Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) felt left out. Later, Richie confided in Tim about his troubled marriage, leading Tim to offer him a place to stay.
Hollyoaks Past Revealed
Nathan Sussex is best known for playing Buster Smith in Channel 4's Hollyoaks from January 2018 to January 2019. Buster was a youth football coach involved in a hard-hitting storyline about child sexual abuse and grooming. He abused his position at his football academy to groom young footballer Ollie Morgan (Aedan Duckworth) and had also abused Brody Hudson (Adam Woodward) in the past. The storyline culminated in a court case where Buster was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to six years in prison.
Buster was the father of Damon Kinsella, who initially refused to believe his dad could commit such crimes. Damon was played by Jacob Roberts, who now appears as DC Kit Green in Corrie, currently trying to secure girlfriend Sarah Platt's (Tina O'Brien) release from prison.
Fan Reactions
Soap fans quickly recognized Sussex, with one Facebook user writing: "Hollyoaks Buster the abuser!" Another added: "Hollyoaks he was the football coach who sexually abused boys," while a third asked: "Was he the abusive footy coach in Hollyoaks?"
Upcoming Storyline
Future spoilers reveal that Richie will become involved in a murder investigation, leaving Tim and Sally to care for his daughter, Lucy. Producer Kate Brooks said: "It's a bit of a curveball and it comes from slightly left field. But it absolutely upends their lives. It's how they navigate that situation going forward."
Coronation Street airs weekdays at 8.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
