Coronation Street fans, prepare yourselves! Suranne Jones, iconic for her role as Karen McDonald, has just dropped a MASSIVE HINT about a potential return to the cobbles â over two decades after her explosive departure! After years of ruling prime-time drama, Jones says coming back to Corrie âmight be fun!â
The streets of Weatherfield could be set for a seismic shake-up as one of its most iconic and fiery characters might be making a sensational return! Suranne Jones, who captivated audiences as Karen McDonald from 2000 to 2004, has revealed she would now consider reprising her role on Coronation Street, more than two decades after leaving the ITV soap.

From Cobbles to Critically Acclaimed: Jonesâs Journey
Since her departure from Corrie in 2004, Jones has carved out an incredibly successful and critically acclaimed acting career. Sheâs become a household name in British drama, collaborating frequently with writer Sally Wainwright on hits like Scott & Bailey and the BAFTA-nominated Gentlemen Jack. Her powerful performances in Doctor Foster, Save Me, and Vigil have earned her widespread praise and further BAFTA nominations, cementing her status as a prime-time powerhouse.
Now, ahead of her Netflix debut in the new political thriller Hostage, Jones has publicly stated her surprising openness to a Coronation Street comeback. âIf they asked, âWould you come and do an episode of Coronation Street?â Iâd say, âWhy not?ââ she told The Times. This marks a significant shift from her stance just a few years after leaving, when she would have âabsolutely notâ considered a return. âBut now itâs 21 years ago, it might be fun,â she mused.
Dodging the Doctor, Eyeing the Cobbles
While a Corrie return is on the table, Jones has firmly ruled out another major British institution: the lead role in Doctor Who. Despite a guest appearance in a 2011 episode, she admitted she would be âscared to play the Doctor,â praising Ncuti Gatwaâs performance and acknowledging the immense pressure of the role. She also expressed her love for Jodie Whittakerâs era as the first female Time Lord.
A Much-Needed Boost for the Soap?
Jonesâs potential return would undoubtedly be a massive boost for Coronation Street, which has recently experienced a wave of significant departures. Just last year, long-standing star Helen Worth, who played Gail Platt, announced her exit. More recently, Sally Ann Matthews, known for her fiery portrayal of Rovers Return landlady Jenny Connor, revealed on Friday (August 1) that she too is leaving after decades on screen, opting to explore âdifferent roles.â Matthews, who first debuted in 1986, made a shock return in 2016, staying for another decade
Her departure follows a string of other central characters leaving the soap earlier this year, including Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley), Shelley King (Yasmeen Metcalfe), and Colson Smith (Craig Tinker). Furthermore, Debbie Webster actor Sue Devaney is set to exit in 2027 as her character battles early-onset dementia.
With so many beloved faces bidding farewell, the prospect of Karen McDonaldâs explosive return would be nothing short of a dream come true for Corrie fans, offering a much-needed shot of classic drama back onto the cobbles!
Would you be excited to see Suranne Jones reprise her role as Karen McDonald on Coronation Street?