Coronation Street fans have only just realised why they recognise Richie Parkinson, played by Nathan Sussex, who made his debut on the ITV soap earlier this year as Tim Metcalfe’s (Joe Duttine) estranged cousin.
After meeting up for the first time in years, Richie confided in Tim about his marriage problems with his wife Rachel (Kimberley Barrett), revealing they were going through a rocky patch. Things took a dramatic turn when Tim went round to Richie’s house only to find him in a shirt covered in blood and Rachel dead on the floor. Soon enough, Richie was arrested for the murder of his wife and has been sent to prison.
Lucy moves in with the Metcalfes
With her dad in prison, Richie’s daughter Lucy (Anya Lewis) was due to go live with some foster parents, but Tim managed to persuade his wife, Sally (Sally Dynevor), to let them take Lucy in, with Lucy now living at No.4.
However, Lucy is clearly troubled and it has been hinted that she is actually the one who murdered Rachel, and Richie is covering for her. It was also revealed that Lucy is Christina Boyd’s (Amy Robbins) biological granddaughter.
Prison visit and fan reaction
In Tuesday’s episode (November 10), Christina faced her daughter’s killer when she visited Richie in prison. In a bid to win his trust, she made out that she had a brother who went through a similar situation to him, and Richie was grateful for her apparent support.
As for the actor, Nathan, who plays Richie, he is no stranger to appearing on TV screens. From January 2018 to January 2019, Nathan portrayed Buster Smith in the rival soap Hollyoaks. Buster was a youth football coach who featured in a high-profile and challenging storyline examining child sexual abuse and grooming within sports. Fans have been quick to share their shock after recognising Nathan from his Hollyoaks role.
On a Coronation Street Facebook fan page, one person mused: “What has Richie been in before?” Someone else explained: “From Hollyoaks! The football coach who sexually abused the boys.” A third chimed in: “He was the abusive footy coach in Hollyoaks.” Another Coronation Street viewer also declared: “Knew I recognised him from somewhere!”
Other roles
As well as Hollyoaks and Corrie, Nathan appeared on Channel 5’s The Good Ship Murder in 2025 playing Liam Barnes. He’s also had roles in Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Doctors and the BAFTA-nominated 2021 series It’s A Sin.
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
