Coronation Street viewers have only just realised why Richie Parkinson seems so familiar. Richie (Nathan Sussex) first appeared on the ITV soap earlier this year as the estranged cousin of Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine).
During their first meeting in years, Richie opened up to Tim about difficulties in his marriage to wife Rachel (Kimberley Barrett), admitting they were experiencing a turbulent period. The situation escalated dramatically when Tim visited Richie's home, discovering him wearing a blood-soaked shirt with Rachel's body on the floor. Richie was subsequently arrested for his wife's murder and imprisoned.
Lucy's Role in the Storyline
Following her father's incarceration, Richie's daughter Lucy (Anya Dewin) faced placement with foster carers, but Tim convinced his wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) to welcome Lucy into their home - with the youngster now residing at No. 4.
Lucy appears deeply troubled, with suggestions emerging that she may actually be responsible for Rachel's death, while Richie takes the blame. Additionally, it transpired that Lucy is the biological granddaughter of Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins), reports the Daily Star.
In Tuesday's episode (November 10), Christina confronted her daughter's killer during a prison visit to Richie. Attempting to gain his confidence, she fabricated a story about a brother who experienced circumstances similar to his, with Richie appreciating her supposed understanding.
Nathan Sussex's Previous Roles
As for Nathan, the actor portraying Richie, he's certainly familiar with television work. Between January 2018 and January 2019, Nathan took on the role of Buster Smith in rival soap Hollyoaks. Buster was a youth football coach involved in a prominent and difficult storyline exploring child sexual abuse and grooming in sport.
Viewers have been swift to express their surprise upon recognising Nathan from his Hollyoaks appearance. On a Coronation Street Facebook fan page, one viewer asked: "What has Richie been in before?" Someone else clarified: "From Hollyoaks! The football coach who sexually abused the boys."
A third person added: "He was the abusive footy coach in Hollyoaks." Another Coronation Street fan also stated: "Knew I recognised him from somewhere!".
Beyond Soap Roles
Beyond Hollyoaks and Corrie, Nathan featured in Channel 5's The Good Ship Murder during 2025, playing Liam Barnes. His credits also include appearances in Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Doctors and the BAFTA-nominated 2021 drama It's A Sin.
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
