xCharliex
17-09-2005, 14:54
CORONATION Street stars are facing a new serial killer in Weatherfield - their boss.
Dubbed The Iceman, the show's tough new chief Steve Frost will slash the number of cast members, with big names and newcomers all in jeopardy.
Potential victims have already been discussed at the highest level and Frost will be handed a list on his first day at work to decide who to axe.
Names under scrutiny include household favourites such as Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), screen wife Claire (Julie Haworth), Maria Sutherland (Samia Ghadie), Dev and Sunita Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin and Shobna Gulati), and Frankie and Jamie Baldwin (Debra Stephenson and Rupert Hill).
Newcomers like mechanic Nathan Harding (Ray Fearon) and factory twins Jessie and Joanne (Nailah Cumberbatch and Zaraah Abrahams) are others who could also be on their way out.
New producer Frost - who takes over when out-going supremo Tony Wood finishes at the end of the year - will be the man who finally pulls the trigger.
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He was at a top secret Coronation Street meeting this week on the day his appointment was announced.
The summit was attended by all the Corrie hierarchy and top scriptwriters.
People were told: "We've talked for some time about a need to reduce cast numbers, so let's bear that in mind when we discuss new long-term narratives."
A highly-placed source said: "Those departing will still be around for a while. But there looks to be blood on the walls next year and it won't make for nice reading for the cast.
"They are always nervous when someone new comes in or when they hear about long-term conferences. They know their futures are being discussed by the people that really matter. If there is a feeling they have run their course, then sadly the end is not far away."
Documents seen by The Mirror revealed characters in the firing line - as well as those in favour with bosses.
As question marks hang over the likes of Ashley and Dev the future looks rosy for Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), builder Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward) and Rovers girl Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay).
A show insider said: "Development is an on-going process, decisions have been made on these documents by the production team led by Tony Wood. We've been developing Coronation Street for decades from one producer to another." Here we look at who is up for the chop...
MARIA SUTHERLAND
She's tabloid totty.. but what stories would she provide us with once she's no longer with Tyrone?
CORRIE THINK TANK: Actress Samia Ghadie provides a function in terms of "tabloid totty" particularly in the light of Nikki Sanderson quitting.
But what stories would Maria provide, once she's no longer with Tyrone?
THE INSIDER SAID: Bosses are clearly concerned at losing pin-up Nikki, who plays Candice Stowe. They loved the way she constantly appeared in lads' mags and newspapers.
But the role is most important at the end of the day. And the question asked is whether Maria is worth keeping in.
ASHLEY AND CLAIRE
Ashley remains a popular character, but the consensus is Claire's a problem. How do we fix this?
CORRIE THINK TANK: Ashley remains a popular character, but the consensus is that Claire's a problem. How do we rectify this? Do we exit the whole family and move Fred (John Savident) into the pub with Bev (Susie Blake).
Do we contrive a way for Ashley to remain on the show? Or do we find a strong narrative for this pair that takes then in a new direction?
THE INSIDER SAID: The Peacocks - played by Steven Arnold and Julie Haworth - have repeatedly come under scrutiny in recent storyline conferences.
DEV ALAHAN
Bosses like Dev and Sunita and haven't ruled out the possibility of re-inventing the couple.
THE INSIDER SAID: Actor Jimmi Harkishin - who has battled drugs problems in the past - has been backed by the show's bosses since coming back after treatment.
But there is a question mark hanging over the future of his corner shop character Dev Alahan.
Because he is married to Sunita, played by Shobna Gulati, it presents a scenario for bosses where her role too comes under scrutiny for promotion or extinction depending on what happens to his character.
However, bosses are adamant they like the couple and they have not ruled out the possibility of "re-inventing" Dev and Sunita.
DANNY BALDWIN
Danny's the clear linchpin for Frankie and Jamie so what is their appeal and function?
CORRIE THINK TANK: Obviously, there is still lots to play out with the Baldwins, including the possibility of a relationship between Danny's wife Frankie and her stepson Jamie.
But what does the future hold for this pair beyond that? Danny is clearly the linchpin for these two characters, so what is their appeal, value and function with him?
THE INSIDER SAID: Bradley Walsh, who plays the chirpy factory boss Danny, has been a huge hit since arriving on the Street.
It is hoped he'll be a Corrie regular for years to come but that may not be the case for Frankie (Debra Stephenson) and Jamie (Rupert Hill).
SHELLEY UNWIN
She's one of the most popular characters. We may even bring her husband back.
CORRIE THINK TANK: Rovers girl Shelley is one of our most popular characters with a secure future at the pub.
THE INSIDER SAID: The Corrie chiefs make no secret of their love for Shelley - played by Sally Lindsay.
Writers are excitedly planning a New Year packed full of strong plotlines for her and haven't ruled out a shock return of her bigamist husband Peter Barlow - played by Chris Gascoyne.
JESSIE AND JOANNE
Is what we've seen as good as it gets? Or do we think they have more to offer?
CORRIE THINK TANK: Now's the time to decide whether we want to keep them in the show and develop their characters.
But is what we've seen as good as it gets, or do we think they have more to offer?
THE INSIDER SAID: Daft factory girl twins Jessie and Joanne - played by Nailah Cumberbatch and Zaraah Abrahams - have provided Corrie with "plenty of fun" according to the long-term future conference team.
NATHAN HARDING
He's clearly a gifted actor - but he's made little impact on the audience and may go.
CORRIE THINK TANK: Newcomer Ray Fearon - handsome mechanic Nathan Harding - is described by the conference team as "clearly a gifted actor."
But Nathan as a character has made "little impact" with the audience.
He is dating Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) but when they split up there is "very little for him indeed" according to the team.
They asked themselves: "Is there a future for Nathan on Coronation
Im going to be so disappointed if they get rid of Frankie, i love Debra Stephenson shes one of the best actresses on the show! I was gutted to hear shes on the list :(
Dubbed The Iceman, the show's tough new chief Steve Frost will slash the number of cast members, with big names and newcomers all in jeopardy.
Potential victims have already been discussed at the highest level and Frost will be handed a list on his first day at work to decide who to axe.
Names under scrutiny include household favourites such as Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), screen wife Claire (Julie Haworth), Maria Sutherland (Samia Ghadie), Dev and Sunita Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin and Shobna Gulati), and Frankie and Jamie Baldwin (Debra Stephenson and Rupert Hill).
Newcomers like mechanic Nathan Harding (Ray Fearon) and factory twins Jessie and Joanne (Nailah Cumberbatch and Zaraah Abrahams) are others who could also be on their way out.
New producer Frost - who takes over when out-going supremo Tony Wood finishes at the end of the year - will be the man who finally pulls the trigger.
Advertisement
He was at a top secret Coronation Street meeting this week on the day his appointment was announced.
The summit was attended by all the Corrie hierarchy and top scriptwriters.
People were told: "We've talked for some time about a need to reduce cast numbers, so let's bear that in mind when we discuss new long-term narratives."
A highly-placed source said: "Those departing will still be around for a while. But there looks to be blood on the walls next year and it won't make for nice reading for the cast.
"They are always nervous when someone new comes in or when they hear about long-term conferences. They know their futures are being discussed by the people that really matter. If there is a feeling they have run their course, then sadly the end is not far away."
Documents seen by The Mirror revealed characters in the firing line - as well as those in favour with bosses.
As question marks hang over the likes of Ashley and Dev the future looks rosy for Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), builder Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward) and Rovers girl Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay).
A show insider said: "Development is an on-going process, decisions have been made on these documents by the production team led by Tony Wood. We've been developing Coronation Street for decades from one producer to another." Here we look at who is up for the chop...
MARIA SUTHERLAND
She's tabloid totty.. but what stories would she provide us with once she's no longer with Tyrone?
CORRIE THINK TANK: Actress Samia Ghadie provides a function in terms of "tabloid totty" particularly in the light of Nikki Sanderson quitting.
But what stories would Maria provide, once she's no longer with Tyrone?
THE INSIDER SAID: Bosses are clearly concerned at losing pin-up Nikki, who plays Candice Stowe. They loved the way she constantly appeared in lads' mags and newspapers.
But the role is most important at the end of the day. And the question asked is whether Maria is worth keeping in.
ASHLEY AND CLAIRE
Ashley remains a popular character, but the consensus is Claire's a problem. How do we fix this?
CORRIE THINK TANK: Ashley remains a popular character, but the consensus is that Claire's a problem. How do we rectify this? Do we exit the whole family and move Fred (John Savident) into the pub with Bev (Susie Blake).
Do we contrive a way for Ashley to remain on the show? Or do we find a strong narrative for this pair that takes then in a new direction?
THE INSIDER SAID: The Peacocks - played by Steven Arnold and Julie Haworth - have repeatedly come under scrutiny in recent storyline conferences.
DEV ALAHAN
Bosses like Dev and Sunita and haven't ruled out the possibility of re-inventing the couple.
THE INSIDER SAID: Actor Jimmi Harkishin - who has battled drugs problems in the past - has been backed by the show's bosses since coming back after treatment.
But there is a question mark hanging over the future of his corner shop character Dev Alahan.
Because he is married to Sunita, played by Shobna Gulati, it presents a scenario for bosses where her role too comes under scrutiny for promotion or extinction depending on what happens to his character.
However, bosses are adamant they like the couple and they have not ruled out the possibility of "re-inventing" Dev and Sunita.
DANNY BALDWIN
Danny's the clear linchpin for Frankie and Jamie so what is their appeal and function?
CORRIE THINK TANK: Obviously, there is still lots to play out with the Baldwins, including the possibility of a relationship between Danny's wife Frankie and her stepson Jamie.
But what does the future hold for this pair beyond that? Danny is clearly the linchpin for these two characters, so what is their appeal, value and function with him?
THE INSIDER SAID: Bradley Walsh, who plays the chirpy factory boss Danny, has been a huge hit since arriving on the Street.
It is hoped he'll be a Corrie regular for years to come but that may not be the case for Frankie (Debra Stephenson) and Jamie (Rupert Hill).
SHELLEY UNWIN
She's one of the most popular characters. We may even bring her husband back.
CORRIE THINK TANK: Rovers girl Shelley is one of our most popular characters with a secure future at the pub.
THE INSIDER SAID: The Corrie chiefs make no secret of their love for Shelley - played by Sally Lindsay.
Writers are excitedly planning a New Year packed full of strong plotlines for her and haven't ruled out a shock return of her bigamist husband Peter Barlow - played by Chris Gascoyne.
JESSIE AND JOANNE
Is what we've seen as good as it gets? Or do we think they have more to offer?
CORRIE THINK TANK: Now's the time to decide whether we want to keep them in the show and develop their characters.
But is what we've seen as good as it gets, or do we think they have more to offer?
THE INSIDER SAID: Daft factory girl twins Jessie and Joanne - played by Nailah Cumberbatch and Zaraah Abrahams - have provided Corrie with "plenty of fun" according to the long-term future conference team.
NATHAN HARDING
He's clearly a gifted actor - but he's made little impact on the audience and may go.
CORRIE THINK TANK: Newcomer Ray Fearon - handsome mechanic Nathan Harding - is described by the conference team as "clearly a gifted actor."
But Nathan as a character has made "little impact" with the audience.
He is dating Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) but when they split up there is "very little for him indeed" according to the team.
They asked themselves: "Is there a future for Nathan on Coronation
Im going to be so disappointed if they get rid of Frankie, i love Debra Stephenson shes one of the best actresses on the show! I was gutted to hear shes on the list :(