An Open Love Letter to Coronation Street
I still adore the British TV show after all these years.
I started watching Coronation Street around when I met my now-wife, about 16 years ago. Up until then, I wouldn’t have considered watching a British soap. But I figured if it meant hanging out with her more, then it was fine.
I had seen soap operas before. American ones. Particularly, General Hospital, which I used to watch with my mom. I didn’t mind it too much. However, the problem with American soaps is they’re almost all about romance — who is kissing who this episode?
Not Coronation Street.
Set in the fictitious town of Weatherfield, Manchester in the UK, the set has that “dirty old town” feel — with old brick residences, and all of the local hotspots including a cozy cafe and a local pub. (It also has a medical facility called Weatherfield General Hospital — coincidence?)
Coronation Street is not afraid to get its hands dirty. They smoke. They drink. They work at the local garage and garment factory. Do you see people working in American soaps? (Not often I’d guess, unless “work” is defined as sitting behind a desk doing nothing.)
The characters in Corrie also converse in groups, instead of just scenes with only two or three people like in the American versions. It seems the producers of American shows think if they show more than two people talking at a time, viewers’ heads will explode.
Not every character on Corrie is beautiful (with the exception of some including Tina McIntyre, rest her smokin’ soul). Of course, there are also some hunks too — it’s only fair. I like that much of the cast is made up of people that you could find at your local grocer.
They haven’t obviously spent hours in a salon, or had their face surgically altered to be creepily perfect—although a few of the characters likely have had Botox, because parts of their faces don’t move. I won’t single anyone out.
A diary of social issues
Corrie* (as it’s known in fan circles) doesn’t shy away from what might be considered controversial storylines. It has covered miscarriages, abortion, drug/alcohol addiction (and other mental illnesses), kidnapping, baby-stealing, homelessness, racism, far-right grooming, civil unrest, same-sex marriage, and more.
Corrie has always had a bit of a left-leaning, working-class feel. It’s relatable to the common person, and sometimes depicts the upper class in humorous ways. Even the debut season seemed progressive from a woman’s perspective.
Yup, the intro music has hardly changed since those opening scenes.
Of course, it has also delved deep into cheating and murder — I mean, what would a soap be without crimes of the heart (and against the law)? There are even depictions of police officers being assaulted by protestors.
However, Corrie has more depth to fall back on.
The writing is great, the acting possibly even better. The lines are delivered in a believable way, by believable characters. It’s not all beautiful, romantic prose like in some other dreamy soaps. Sometimes the scenes in Corrie are sloppy, just like in real life.
There’s a reason Corrie is among the longest-running soaps in television history, beginning its tales of Weatherfield in 1960. I like how the show often makes references to events that happened 10 or more years ago — only the seasoned Corrie fans like you and me will catch the references.
It must take a lot of work to get the logistics of a 60+ year show correct. I imagine the writer’s room has a bunch of flowcharts of who’s related to who, and who has slept with who. I can imagine some of the juicy, deleted scenes on the cutting room floor.
Long live Corrie!
I’ve been watching this show for so long now, that I feel like the cast are all friends. I’ve literally watched some of the show’s child actors grow into adult roles, and get themselves into adult-sized problems.
It’s sad when one of the cast dies (either pretend or in real life) — I’ve come to like their characters so much. One of my favourite characters, Rita Tanner (Sullivan) has graced the show since 1964, and still makes appearances in 2025. One of the other original castmates, Ken Barlow, has been there from the very start, and continues with his own storylines.
Sometimes these older characters will disappear from the show temporarily, and I’ll get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. But then to my delight, they return for a few scenes.
Coronation Street has been a springboard for successful film careers. (Check out this article from Digital Spy to see some familiar faces who rose to fame on the streets of Weatherfield.) That includes my beloved Tina McIntyre—played by Michelle Keegan—who has appeared in newer productions.
Long live Corrie, and the cast and writers that makes it so special. Cheers to all of the characters, and all of you that enjoy their antics. Here’s to 60+ more years!
Where are my Corrie fans at? Drop a hello!
Note: An older version of this story appeared on Medium.
I love Corrie and have been watching for years. I know what you mean, the characters are like family or longtime friends. Sometimes I roll my eyes at the storylines but it’s the best soap on TV.
I have never watched it. But have heard about it forever but had NO idea it had been around for over 60 years