Former Coronation Street star Amanda Barrie has expressed disappointment with the ITV soap's current direction, comparing it to Midsomer Murders due to the high number of deaths.
Amanda Barrie's comments on Coronation Street
The actress, who played Alma Baldwin on the cobbles, shared her thoughts on the show's current plotlines while speaking to Best of British magazine. She said: "We had some wonderful people on Corrie when I was in it, as they still do now. The trouble is they've had to make it more like a northern Midsomer Murders, which is sad, because the Street used to be a place where the viewers wanted to live and come and join us in the Rovers."
Amanda appeared on the soap on and off for 20 years, famously marrying Mike Baldwin in the show.
Recent murder storylines in Weatherfield
In recent years, viewers have seen numerous twisted murders in Weatherfield, including teenager Mason Radcliffe being stabbed by his brother in harrowing scenes. More recently, a whodunnit storyline surrounded the murder of Theo Silverton.
Praise for the young cast
Despite her criticism of the bleak plots, Amanda praised the young cast and their intense filming schedule. She added: "I still enjoy it and I'm amazed with the performances now, especially from the youngsters, who've never known what it was like to have rehearsals. It was very weird joining Coronation Street and seeing all those famous faces, it was like meeting cartoon characters that had come to life."
Fans have also praised actress Sydney Martin for her portrayal of Betsy Swain, who suffered a stroke at 18 after being strangled during consensual sex with boyfriend Dylan Wilson. Betsy is now recovering at home, with fans commenting on Martin's acting. One person said: "Betsy acting the post stroke stuff is brilliant #Corrie." Another commented: "Sydney Martin's acting is incredible. She's really doing Betsy's stroke justice. Must be hard to speak like that. #Corrie." A third added: "#corrie Sydney's portrayal todsy was a complete masterclass in how to play a stroke surviver first class."
Coronation Street airs weekday nights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
