ITV Coronation Street actors rally around co-star as they announce exit for huge new role away from soap

Mollie Gallagher is bidding farewell to Coronation Street following nearly seven years portraying Nina Lucas on the ITV soap.

The 28-year-old actress has already completed filming her final scenes, which viewers will see broadcast at the end of August.

Ms Gallagher made her Weatherfield debut in 2019 as the previously unknown niece of Roy Cropper, portrayed by David Neilson.

Nina arrived as a young carer for her father Richard, Roy's half-brother, who died shortly after her introduction.

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The character swiftly became a fixture on the cobbles, residing above and working at Roy's Rolls café whilst developing a close relationship with her uncle.

Her next venture marks a significant career shift, with Ms Gallagher securing her professional stage debut in the role of Clarice Starling for the UK and Ireland tour of The Silence of the Lambs.

The production, which opens at Leicester's Curve theatre on August 1, will tour until June 2027.

Ms Gallagher joins a cast featuring several familiar faces from British soaps. John Partridge, known for his portrayal of Christian Clarke in EastEnders, takes on the role of Dr Hannibal Lecter.

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Oliver Farnworth, who previously appeared in both Coronation Street as Andy Carver and Emmerdale as John Sugden, plays Jack Crawford.

Sam Jackson from Skins completes the principal cast as Buffalo Bill.

Following the news, several soap stars, past and present, took to Instagram to wish Ms Gallagher well.

Corrie's Tony Maudsley reacted to the casting announcement: "I feel a Corrie night out coming on!! Well proud of you @mollie.gallagher_."

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"So proud of you @mollie.gallagher_," fellow soap icon Georgia Taylor penned, while Amy Barlow actress Elle Mulvaney echoed: "So proud can’t wait to come and watch you shine."

Actor and Loose Women star Sair Khan also weighed in: "So excited for this!!!! Go Mollie!!!"

"Here she is!" Corrie legend Catherine Tyldesley penned alongside fire emojis, while Lisa George concurred: "So so proud of you my girl xxxxx." (sic)

Nina Lucas became central to one of Coronation Street's most impactful storylines in 2021.

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Her distinctive gothic appearance made her and boyfriend Seb Franklin targets of a group of teenagers who attacked the couple, resulting in Seb's death.

Ms Gallagher's performance during this harrowing hate crime plot earned her the Serial Drama Performance prize at the National Television Awards that year.

"I just want to dedicate this award to anyone who feels like they don't fit the mould, or feel like they don't belong," she said during her acceptance speech. "You are amazing! You are."

The character later found romance with Asha Alahan in 2022, though that relationship ended in early 2024.

Colleagues at the Trafford studios organised an impromptu surprise leaving party for Ms Gallagher last week to mark her departure.

A Coronation Street spokesperson praised the actress's contribution to the programme: "Mollie has created a unique and well-loved character in Nina over the past six and a half years and everyone will be sorry to see her go."

The spokesperson added: "It is fantastic for Mollie that she has been given this incredible opportunity to play such an iconic role and we wish her all the best for the theatre tour."

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