Aaron McCusker swaps Coronation Street’s Ben for brand new project
Fans of Coronation Street will see Aaron McCusker take on a role that’s a long way from the Cobbles.
It’s been a busy year for Aaronand his character Ben Driscoll,the fiery landlord of the Rovers Return, who has been desperately trying to support his son Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) after he was groomed by the predatory athletics coach Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon).
If that wasn’t enough to contend with, the unluckiest barman in Weatherfield has also been reeling from the revelation that his mother Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) had been lying to him all his life about his real father, who is none other than Coronation Street’s moustachioed legend Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson). This makes Ben half-brothers with another icon of Corrie, Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).
However, Ben’s recently been involved in another project away from the soap. The star, who has played Ben Driscoll since last year, is also known as a cast member on Hope Street, a northern Irish crime series that’s been airing since 2021.
Hope Street follows the police of the fictional coastal town Port Devine. Work is currently underway on a feature-length special called One of Our Own – A Hope Street Film. This will include Aaron reprising his role of Clint Dunwoody, who like Ben, is also the landlord of the local pub, the Commadore.
The actor has been seen in a series of behind-the-scenes Instagram pictures, shared by hair and makeup artist Shelley Blair.
‘Great first week shooting Hope Street One of our Own,’ Blair captioned the snaps.
The Hope Street film will centre on “violent crime committed against a much-loved local”, which brings bad news for DS Marlene Pettigrew.
“We hope this feature-length film will provide the perfect opportunity to tie up some loose ends for fans,” Mary McKeagney, Commissioning Editor for BBC Northern Ireland, previously teased.
“It is a bit of a thank you to all our audiences for engaging so enthusiastically with the series. Thanks, too, to the cast and crew, past and present, for bringing us such joy across all five [seasons] so far.”
Among those set to return alongside McCusker are Kerri Quinn, Tara-Lynne O’Neill, Niamh McGrady, Marcus Onilude, Cameron Cuffe, Katie Shortt, Eleanor Methven, Paddy Jenkins, Jonny Grogan and RheAna Kamalu.
Meanwhile, comedians Paddy Raff and Tim McGarry have joined the cast, as has actor Letitia Hector.
Fans of Coronation Street needn’t worry. Aaron has been fitting the project in alongside his commitments at Corrie, so there shouldn’t be any onscreen absences for Ben – which is just as well. Megan’s trial is looming, and Will is going to need his dad by his side him every step of the way…
