New Coronation Street boss Kate Brooks has lifted the lid on her big plans for the ITV soap across 2025 and beyond, confirming that she has plans for ‘bold’ storytelling but insisting that she won’t alter the DNA of the show.
After decades on air, Corrie remains beloved by fans so every time a new chief takes the reins, there is significant interest in how much they will change and how much they will keep the same.
Kate has now told Metro that she is a big fan of finding fresh ways to tell non-linear storylines, but has vowed that the show won’t lose its identity.
‘I’ve made no attempt to disguise the fact that I am a fan of Coronation Street. I love the show, I think it’s brilliant!’ she enthused.
‘I just really want to make sure that the audience are entertained. I think it’s important that we tell gritty, issue-led stories – and we’ve got those coming up in abundance – but it’s about packaging them in the right way and keeping them fresh and different, without losing the DNA of Corrie.
‘What makes Corrie so wonderful is the familiarity of it. It’s the wit, it’s the characters. All of these stories have been packaged with that in mind. That will be at the heart of every one.’
The producer, best known for her work at the helm of Emmerdale, explained: ‘I love telling stories in non-linear ways. I love big, bold, stunt storytelling. I think taking a story and telling it in a completely different way that changes people’s perspectives is really good for the show.
‘I want to do more of that. As long as we root these stories in reality then the audience will come with us.
‘Coming up in 2025, there’s loads of really exciting stuff. There are loads of shocks coming up. Just when you think a story is going in one direction, we do a complete 360 and it goes in a completely different direction.
‘I think bold, innovative storytelling is key. Exciting, thrilling drama that really keeps the audience captivated but at the heart of it there needs to be a truth, and I always seek to find the truth in those stories.’
With great enthusiasm as she spoke, she added: ‘I am genuinely, not just as a producer but as a fan, excited about what’s coming up, because all the stories are on fire! It feels like we’ve got all the big plans in place.
Corrie in 2025 – what’s coming up?
- Carla continues to navigate challenges brought on from the return of brother Rob Donovan, and it will also present issues for Lisa, Betsy and Bobby. Is he a reformed man, or is he back up to his old tricks?
- Recent scenes have shown Kevin find a lump on his testicle. His eventual diagnosis with cancer will will test his relationship with Abi, who has other worries on her mind – suffering PTSD following the death of Mason Radcliffe.
- The cobbles will be rocked by incoming ‘neighbours from hell’, Mick and Lou, who will bring chaos when they move into Mawdsley Street – and also have a connection to Kit that will expose his past…
- As David faces the consequences of the money theft, a colossal stunt will follow, with a fire robbing him of things he holds dear…
- Cassie’s plot against Ken will step up as she battles with her conscience.
- There will be a number of surprise exits in the show – many of these have already been announced – , as well as familiar returns such as Eileen’s sister Julie Carp.
- We will finally meet Kevin and Debbie’s half-brother Carl, who was born in Germany in the 80s. With so much happening for the siblings this year, he’ll not be short of a reason to move to Weatherfield.
‘The Platts are going to feature really heavily. We’ve got the Websters, we’re building that clan and seeing those dynamics. The Connors, with Lisa and Carla and Betsy and Ryan – building that family and the factory. We’ve got lots coming up that is going to be really exciting!’
‘My vision is making sure that we keep people engaged, keep people entertained and keep people guessing! We don’t want them to become complacent, we want to pull the rug from underneath them sometimes.
‘We want them to be sat at home with a cup of tea and a biscuit and have something happen that they did not expect. So, expect the unexpected in 2025!’
