Coronation Street bosses have cast Prime Suspect actor Richard Hawley and theatre star Faye Brookes as two new members of the Connor family.
The new signings will be playing Johnny and Kate Connor, who are the close family of Shayne Ward's character Aidan.
Richard Hawley
Richard Hawley
Show chiefs have already announced that former X Factor winner Ward will be joining the ITV soap's cast as Aidan Connor, a distant cousin of existing regular Michelle.
Aidan hits our screens in August, but his father Johnny and sister Kate will be hot on his heels the following month. They turn up in Weatherfield after learning that Aidan has come to the aid of his old friend Carla by investing in Underworld.
Johnny is billed as a self-made man, who is forced to come out of semi-retirement following his arrival on the Street.
Faye Brookes
Faye Brookes
A Coronation Street statement teased: "The ongoing joke is that 'everybody knows Johnny Connor' and it's not far from the truth.
"He's got a big personality and revels in his well-earned reputation as a man who means business. He adores his kids and though he and Aidan constantly row, their love is obvious. Funny, charming, ruthless in business, Johnny is the sort of guy you'd be proud to call a friend."
Kate, meanwhile, is a tough cookie who is more than a match for the men in her family. She is engaged to a soldier called Tess.
Coronation Street's statement added: "Kate is a funny and vibrant young woman full of fun and mischief. But behind the teasing and laughter, Kate is passionate about her family - there is nothing she wouldn't do for them."
Hawley is best known for playing DI Richard Haskons in Prime Suspect, while Brookes has starred on stage in Legally Blonde and Shrek.