Coronation Street has confirmed the return of a key character, plus two new arrivals.

James Bailey will officially return to the cobbles on March 17, with Jason Callender taking over the role from Nathan Graham, who played the character from 2019 until his departure in 2022.

It’s also been confirmed that Downton Abbey‘s Jonathan Howard has been cast as Kevin Webster’s younger half-brother Carl, who will appear on-screen for the first time on April 11.

Finally, viewers will be introduced to a new character named Theo Silverton on March 25, played by fellow Downton Abbey star James Cartwright.

James Bailey has been living in the US with partner Danny, but will quickly slot back into his family life when he returns to Weatherfield to pay them a visit and check on his sister Dee-Dee. But what has he been up to since he left the cobbles back and what is he searching for next?

“James is determined, whatever he puts his mind to he absolutely goes for it. He’s a little brother so expect little brother pranks but more than anything he loves his family and he really wants to be a dad,” said Callender

Carl Webster’s first scenes will see him become involved in a heated argument with Abi over a car park space, before either realise she is his brother’s wife.

“As sparks fly and temperatures rise between them, can Carl charm his way out of this one and will Kevin and Debbie be pleased to have their little brother hanging around, whatever his motives are?” reads the official press release.

Providing some more insight into Carl, Howard said: “He’s maybe a little bit selfish, especially between his trousers sometimes!”

Theo Silverton gets on the wrong side of both Julie and George while working as a scaffolder close by, before Todd helps him to patch things up with the locals. There’s an instant attraction from Todd, but Theo plays his cards close to his chest.

“I think Theo is a good guy, he comes in with the best of intentions, as most people do, but he may upset some people with his behaviour,” Cartwright teased.