Coronation Street star confirms Nina’s story ‘isn’t over’ as she reveals why she wasn’t killed off
We’re all pretty devo’d to see Mollie Gallagher leave Coronation Street as alt-goth Queen Nina Lucas, and, according to the star herself, so is she!
Ever since she landed on the Cobbles as the long lost niece of undisputed Weatherfield royalty, Roy Cropper (David Neilson), Nina won the hearts of the nation with her kindness, strength of character and unwavering dedication to being herself.
It wasn’t all black roses and heavy eyeliner, though, and Nina was dragged into a violent plot that saw her and boyfriend Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni) violently attacked by Corey Brent (Maximus Evans) and his crew, simply because of Nina’s alternative goth style.
Seb lost his life in the stomach-turning assault, and while Nina initially tried to shed all that made her ‘different’, she soon reclaimed her image, and her power, and we all punched the air when she did.
An on-off relationship with friend turned more-than-friend, Asha Alahan (Tanisha Gorey) ensued, though any hopes fans had of the two reuniting long-term were dashed recently when Mollie announced her departure from her role.
Mollie will next be seen treading the boards as Clarice Starling in the stage adaptation of Silence of the Lambs.
Confirming the role as the reason she left Corrie, Mollie said: ‘It was a tricky one because I love Corrie so much.
‘I love everyone there and I love Nina, too. When I graduated from drama school and got the audition for Corrie, I thought that Nina was a dream character for me to play.
‘I was really passionate about portraying this alternative character. We kept her quite similar the whole time, which was important to me. I never wanted Nina to lose her goth look and who she is – I think the audience have always really appreciated that.
‘So it was a really hard situation, but as an actor, you do want to challenge yourself by trying new things. This new job is completely different because it’s theatre. It was sad – in an ideal world I’d be doing both, but that just wouldn’t work!’
Mollie went on to discuss her character’s end with Digital Spy, confirming that Nina won’t be killed, explaining why it was so important to her: ‘I would not have been able to deal with that! Nina is such a unique character and I think there’s so much to do with her.’
‘There’s her art – when she came into the show, she was really talented. I wanted to explore more of that.
‘Obviously there’s the brilliant relationship with Roy, too. I think that’s my favourite part of being at Corrie – Nina and Roy. So I hope that it isn’t the end.’
Mollie won’t be the only soap titan joining the cast, with EastEnders trailblazer John Partridge and Emmerdale’s most recent murderer Oliver Farnworth playing Dr Hannibal Lecter and Jack Crawford, respectively.
Mollie spoke incredibly highly of working alongside her fellow soap stars: ‘They’re the two actors I work with the most. We get on very well, which is what you want! They’re brilliant actors as well.
‘It’s nice, because it’s this little soap bubble.
‘We’ve got EastEnders, Emmerdale, Corrie – and Ollie did Corrie as well. They’ve been in the industry for years so it’s nice to learn from them and get some advice. I’m very lucky.
‘I’ve also enjoyed talking to Ollie about his Corrie days – it was quite a few years ago now that he was in the show, so there are some similarities with my time but also some differences.’
Mollie had a final message for the Coronation Street fans who’ve loved Nina for so many years: ‘All of the support from the people who watch Corrie really means a lot to all of us.
‘To everyone who supported me specifically – I read the messages and it makes me smile. It gives me confidence, so thank you to everybody who’s been so supportive.
‘And hopefully some of the Corrie fans will get some tickets – it’ll be nice for them to see me in a different role!’
