Inside Soap UK 01 - 2023

Happy New Year! 2023 indeed. How crazy is that? The scientists and dreamers of the 1960s predicted we’d all own flying cars by now, and be nipping to the Mars colony for a little light shopping. How mundane a vision! Those ‘futurologists’ would never have guessed the far more incredible truth of life in the Space Year 2023… That we’d still be watching Ken Barlow trying to get his end away with every posh piece north of the Manchester Ship Canal. “The soaps are skipping into 2023 in fine fettle” This issue, we peer down our own time telescope to report on the shape of storylines to come – with teasers from a wealth of actors and producers. Personally, I think all the soaps have had an excellent Christmas, and…

2023 PREVIEW! CORONATION STREET Not content with trafficking drugs and ruining his son Jacob’s life (see p30), bad boy Damon is set for an explosive affair! “Damon has an attraction to one of our high-profile female characters, who ends up having her head turned,” says Corrie boss Iain MacLeod. “We’re working on June, when we’ll see a colossal explosion to that love story with far-reaching consequences…” Damon has wormed his way into the Bistro, so could Nick’s beloved Leanne be the femme fatale in question?…

Deadly danger awaits Carla in the new year – after homicidal Stephen plots to make her his next victim! Audrey’s son has already bumped off Leo and left Teddy for dead, yet his reign of terror is just beginning… “Stephen sees his first step back on the ladder to the top of the international rag trade as getting a gig working at Underworld – and toppling current queen of the pile, Carla,” explains show head honcho Iain. “Psychological warfare ensues between those two, freighted with knowledge on the part of viewers that he’s killed someone. “So, when Carla decides to belittle Stephen – by forcing him to make the tea and undercutting him in front of clients – she is unwittingly poking the hornets’ nest. “If anyone predicts what Stephen…

Fiz and Tyrone finally tied the knot at Christmas – but their joy is short-lived, after troublesome Hope strikes again… “Hope continues to develop a toxic curiosity about her dad John Stape, which leads to blackly comedic territory,” grins Iain. “She becomes obsessed in a way that causes problems for Fiz and Tyrone, with Hope’s behaviour resulting in a fairly acrimonious feud with an adult neighbour, involving a chinchilla. I’ll leave your imagination to fill in the blanks…”…

While Damon is busy breaking hearts, his half-brother Harvey is still around… “At some point I’d love us to revisit Will Mellor as Harvey,” hopes Iain. “It’s tricky when characters are in prison, but we’ve overcome more difficult hurdles in the past. I’d love to get Harvey back on the Street and stick him in a room with Damon – as by the time Harvey gets out of jail, he and Damon would be absolute enemies. The idea of Harvey vs Damon in the future is tantalising.”…

2023 PREVIEW! CORONATION STREET In the lead-up to Daniel and Daisy’s wedding, there will be competition for ‘mother of the bride’ – after Daisy’s birth mum Christina arrives, and starts a war with her stepmum, Jenny! “Christina is chaotic, selfish – and she hates Jenny!” laughs Iain. “There’s lots of comedy because Christina knows karate, which is a slight problem for Jenny, who doesn’t… “Amy Robbins joins us as Christina,” he adds. “Her performance provides lightness in the run-up to the wedding, illuminating Daisy’s backstory as we discover her past is sadder than we know. It balances out all her crazy planning.”…