List of Coronation Street characters (2020)
Coronation Street is a British soap opera first broadcast on 9 December 1960. The following is a list of characters introduced in 2020, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by series producer Iain MacLeod. The first character to be introduced is Danny Tomlinson, a love interest of James Bailey, in February. In March, Arthur Medwin was introduced as a love interest for Evelyn Plummer, and April saw the arrival of Scott Emberton, as well as the ex-wife of Rick Neelan, Laura Neelan. Nicky Wheatley made her first appearance in June as a love interest for Daniel Osbourne. The former partner of Geoff Metcalfe, [|Elaine Jones], made her first appearance in July, and George Shuttleworth is set to make his debut later in the year. Additionally, multiple [|other characters] appear throughout the year.
Danny Tomlinson
Danny Tomlinson, played by Dylan Brady, first appeared in episode 10,006, first broadcast on 14 February 2020. Danny is introduced as a former colleague of Ed Bailey, who comes out as gay to Ed. Ed is shocked, but supports Danny. When he leaves, Ed's son James Bailey kisses him, and it is revealed that they have a romantic history. James is not out as gay to his father, and Danny struggles with lying to Ed, so James promises to come out. Danny accidentally tweets James, asking him when they can see each other, which the media see. James is outed, and despite apologising to him, he does not forgive Danny.Details about the character and Brady's casting were announced on 9 February 2020. On his casting, Brady commented "I met with casting director Gennie Radcliffe and one of the directors and I did a read through. A week later I was told I’d got the part. It was so exciting, to be a part of a show that’s so ingrained in my childhood. I grew up watching it."
Scott Emberton
Scott Emberton, portrayed by Tom Roberts, first appeared on 15 April 2020. Scott is introduced a visitor staying at the Rovers' B&B, who has an undisclosed connection to established character Johnny Connor. Upon his arrival, Liz McDonald flirts with Scott, and he buys her a drink.Talking to Inside Soap on his character's connection to Johnny, Roberts commented: "It's obvious that Johnny fears Scott – he thought this guy was out of his life forever and now he’s turned up at his B&B!", adding: "He greets Johnny as though he’s really pleased to see him, but there are things underneath that haven’t yet come to the surface. It’s pretty clear that Johnny wants to avoid Scott". On Scott's relationship with Liz, Roberts said: "Scott is drawn to Liz McDonald. He spends a lot of time propping up the Rovers bar, being quick with the jokes and banter. This is a man who lives quite a transient life because he’s a building project manager, so he moves from job to job around the country."
Laura Neelan
Laura Neelan, played by Kel Allen, first appeared on 27 April 2020. Laura is the mother of Kelly Neelan who arrives in Weatherfield to question why Gary Windass is seeing Kelly so much. Laura asks Gary where her husband, Rick Neelan is, and instead of telling Laura he killed Rick, he says that Rick is abroad. As Gary is secretly paying for Kelly's private school fees, he asks why Kelly is now attending Weatherfield High, and he tells her that Rick wants her to attend private school again.Details surrounding Allen's casting were announced on 26 March 2020. In an interview with Digital Spy, Allen spoke about storylines that she would like for her character, such as Laura having a relationship with established character Peter Barlow. On a potential relationship with Adam Barlow, she stated that "she just wants to jump into bed with him, as that's what she's about", and joked that "Laura can go around all the Barlows, try them all out!" She also explained that she would love to work in the Rovers Return, saying: "She would be behind that bar pulling pints, taking tips and popping them in her bra. She's that kind of girl, isn't she? She'd be swapping numbers with whoever comes through the door, if she knows what's in the bank account. She's for the money and she's for an easy life. That's what I love about her", adding that she could "definitely see as a barmaid". Allen also stated that Laura is "such a character", and that she is completely different to Allen in real life. Allen has appeared in Coronation Street previously, as Lulu Lockett, a club owner that Bethany Platt worked for in 2018.
Nicky Wheatley
Nicky Wheatley, played by Kimberley Hart-Simpson, made her first appearance on 17 June 2020. The character and casting details were announced on 2 June 2020, with the actress who has previously appeared on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks confirming her casting on Instagram. Nicky is introduced as a love interest for established character Daniel Osbourne, with Mallard comparing her to Daniel's ex-wife Sinead Osbourne. He commented: "Nicky has no boundaries and for Daniel, who is so uptight, it's refreshing to have someone who doesn't tip-toe around him. She is very bolshy and that is what attracts him. She is very opposite to Sinead, because Sinead wasn't like that, but they are both a similar height, both are blonde, and from the first glance, subconsciously, he will have been drawn to her. Maybe subconsciously, Nicky also reminds Daniel of Sinead in a way."Hart-Simpson expressed her joy at being casted in Coronation Street, having wanted to appear in the soap for over ten years prior to her casting. She commented: "I love other soaps and love other TV programmes, but it’s just in my blood and if you snapped me in half, I’d say Corrie no doubt. What they do for women on that programme is just incredible." She also talked about having an interaction with Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Tanner, on her first day which left her "". Hart-Simpson explained that she found out more about Nicky's background from reading scripts, rather than knowing beforehand. On her character being a sex worker, Hart-Simpson stated that she had a "strong reason in my head as to why she's doing this job", and that rather than "being able to afford a nice handbag", she wanted Nicky to have a deeper reasoning for her occupation.
Lucie Fernsby
Lucie Fernsby, played by Nicola Duffett, made her first appearance on 13 July 2020. Lucie is introduced as a woman in prison that befriends Yasmeen Metcalfe. Lucie act as a support for Yasmeen, who is being psychologically abused and coercively controlled by husband Geoff Metcalfe. Lucie explains to Yasmeen that she too was in a controlling relationship, and suggests that she is in prison due to what she did to her abusive former partner. She gives Yasmeen a contraband phone, and suggests that she should call him and end their marriage.Elaine Jones
Elaine Jones, played by Paula Wilcox, made her first appearance on 20 July 2020. Elaine is introduced as the ex-wife of Geoff Metcalfe, due to Geoff psychologically abusing and coercively controlling his current wife, Yasmeen Metcalfe. Elaine visits Yasmeen in prison under the false pretence that she is from a domestic abuse charity, later revealing herself as Geoff's former partner. She explains that Geoff abused and controlled her for several years, and advises her to read books about coercive control. Yasmeen's granddaughter Alya Nazir confronts Elaine when she sees her in Weatherfield, and asks her to stand against Geoff in court. Elaine says that she cannot do it, and reveals that Tim Metcalfe is her son.Digital Spy described Elaine's role in the coercive control storyline as "pivotal", and hinted that her arrival in Weatherfield "may offer fresh hope for Yasmeen". Actress Wilcox said that being part of the storyline was "daunting", and that she "quickly realised that was going to be part of something very big and very important". Viewers began to suspect that Elaine would be revealed as the mother of Geoff's son Tim Metcalfe, which producers later confirmed to be true. Wilcox has appeared in the series previously in 1969, as Janice Langton, the sister of Ray Langton.