Latest news with #CatherineTyldesley
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hidden gem BBC period drama dubbed ‘better than Downton Abbey' returns to screens a whopping 18 years after original broadcast
An overlooked diamond from the BBC archive has received acclaim from watchers, who have compared it to the multi-award-winning Downton Abbey - a titan of British TV. Lilies, which premiered in 2007, had an eight-episode run, and followed the story of three sisters living with their father and brother in post-WWI Liverpool. Iris (played by Catherine Tyldesley), Mary (Leanne Rowe) and Ruby Moss (Kerrie Hayes) come of age in a family living on the breadline. The sisters, though vastly different, go through the simultaneous experience of launching their adult lives for the first time, navigating poverty, passion and prejudice. The show was the brainchild of Heidi Thomas (creator of Call the Midwife), who was inspired to write it from the stories that her grandmother told her of growing up in post-war Liverpool. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The show is close to home for Thomas, with some aspects being a raw, direct televisation of her grandmother's anecdotes. 'The end result is not a series about my family,' she notes, 'but a series about the family that might have lived next door.' 'There's not one single episode that doesn't contain something handed down in anecdote.' The series was praised for its compelling storyline and strong performance, however, it was not renewed past eight episodes, with the last episode to date airing on February 29, 2007. Producer Chrissy Skinns, whose credentials include The Last Kingdom, A Spy Among Friends and Elizabeth is Missing, was instantly mesmerised by the script once it crossed her desk. 'The Lilies scripts were quite unlike anything I had read before,' she said. 'They were funny, surprising, and made me cry. Above all else, I knew that the Mosses were a family I instantly cared about, and wanted to spend time with.' Fans are equally as mesmerised, with one rating it 10/10 on IMDB, penning: 'This series is brilliantly written and beautifully realized. Like Heidi Thomas' more recent effort CALL THE MIDWIFE, it seems coy, but tackles difficult topics head-on and without blinking. 'This was such a massive hit in the UK that a fervent campaign for more seasons resulted in nearly a year of developmental meetings and script experiments. In the end, it was decided not to tamper with it, it's that perfect' Another wrote: 'I came across this at the small local library near where I live and it had such a high imdb rating that I had to check it out---and I'm glad I did. 'Connected stories of a families troubles in England, 1920. It was so well written that you find yourself rooting for the different characters, and their setbacks tug at your emotions. Looking at the film extra's section after I viewed it, I was surprised to see how they made the set because it all seemed so realistic.' Viewers have gushed that the show even supersedes the quality of Julian Fellowes' hit ITV series Downton Abbey, which was released three years later, in 2010.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Coronation Street star to return – and get a surprising new love interest that fans won't see coming
A CORONATION Street favourite is set to make a dramatic return - and spark up a shock romance that no one saw coming. The surprise storyline will see the returning character with an unlikely love interest, leaving fans stunned as sparks fly on the cobbles. 3 3 Soap hunk Jason Callender has teased a steamy new romance twist for his character on the cobbles - James Bailey. The actor, who took over the role earlier this year, revealed that James is set to lock lips with someone totally unexpected, in a plot twist that's sure to leave viewers stunned. James recently left the cobbles with baby Laila after sister Dee-Dee asked him and his partner Danny to raise her newborn in the States. But it looks like his Weatherfield story is far from over as he is set to make a return. Jason told Inside Soap: 'James is going to have a romantic encounter. 'It's someone the audience will not see coming. When I found out, I was so excited - I thought, 'I don't even know if we can do this!'' Jason, who previously appeared in Silent Witness, also revealed he's desperate to share a scene with Corrie royalty Rita Tanner, joking: 'I see James and Rita on a cruise ship, sipping mojitos and putting the world to rights!' Meanwhile, another Coronation Street legend has been spotted back on set - seven years after her exit. The Sun revealed earlier this year that actress Catherine Tyldesley is making a return as Eva Price to Weatherfield. A source told The Sun: "There has been lots of excitement on set because Catherine has been seen around the place. Coronation street bosses bring back Catherine Tyldesley as Eva Price "She's not back filming just yet, but it won't be long. 'Cath has been away for a while and worked on countless other projects but she really missed Corrie. 'They've tried to get her back a few times but the stars have never alligned. 'But when she was approached with the idea for Eva's return, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025 ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap. This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama. Colson Smith - Craig Tinker The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig's on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role. Sue Cleaver - Eileen Grimshaw After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I'm A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she's already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future. Luca Toolan - Mason Radcliffe Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him. Sue Devaney - Debbie Webster In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline. Charlotte Jordan - Daisy Midgeley The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she's hungry to see what other opportunities await. Shelley King - Yasmeen Metcalfe The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter. 'She'll start filming again in summer and be back on screen for autumn. 'She's so excited and can't wait to get back on the cobbles and it's definitely not going to be a storyline to miss.' Catherine was an instant hit when she joined Corrie in 2011, as feisty barmaid Eva. She was on the ITV soap for seven years until 2018 and during that time was involved in some HUGE storylines. In her most memorable storyline she fell pregnant with tragic Aidan Connor's baby and attempted to give her daughter to Toyah Battersby. Cath's character also enjoyed several steamy relationships with Adam Barlow, Rob Donovan, Jason Grimshaw and Nick Tilsley. Eva left Weatherfield after she moved to France with her mum Stella. So, what will bring her back to the cobbles? Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX. 3
The Herald Scotland
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Coronation Street star spotted on set 7 years after ITV exit
He presence may signal that she is gearing up for a major comeback, something that many fans will welcome with open arms. Catherine Tyldesley spotted on Coronation Street years after leaving the ITV show A source from the ITV show told The Sun: "There has been lots of excitement on set because Catherine has been seen around the place. "She's not back filming just yet, but it won't be long." Earlier this year, the same title revealed that she would be returning to Coronation Street. At the time, an insider said: "Cath has been away for a while and worked on countless other projects, but she really missed Corrie. 'They've tried to get her back a few times, but the stars have never aligned. 'But when she was approached with the idea for Eva's return, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. 'She'll start filming again in summer and be back on screen for autumn. Recommended Reading: 'She's so excited and can't wait to get back on the cobbles, and it's definitely not going to be a storyline to miss.' Catherine Tyldesley originally joined the show all the way back in 2011, remaining on the programme until 2018. She has also appeared in a number of other shows, including The Good Ship Murder, Scarborough and the sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
South Wales Guardian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Coronation Street star spotted on set 7 years after ITV exit
It was previously reported that actress Catherine Tyldesley would be reprising her role as Eva Price, something that has become a reality. He presence may signal that she is gearing up for a major comeback, something that many fans will welcome with open arms. A source from the ITV show told The Sun: "There has been lots of excitement on set because Catherine has been seen around the place. "She's not back filming just yet, but it won't be long." Earlier this year, the same title revealed that she would be returning to Coronation Street. At the time, an insider said: "Cath has been away for a while and worked on countless other projects, but she really missed Corrie. 'They've tried to get her back a few times, but the stars have never aligned. 'But when she was approached with the idea for Eva's return, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. 'She'll start filming again in summer and be back on screen for autumn. A post shared by Catherine Tyldesley (@auntiecath17) 'She's so excited and can't wait to get back on the cobbles, and it's definitely not going to be a storyline to miss.' Catherine Tyldesley originally joined the show all the way back in 2011, remaining on the programme until 2018. She has also appeared in a number of other shows, including The Good Ship Murder, Scarborough and the sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Coronation Street legend spotted back on set amid comeback rumours seven years after exit
A CORONATION Street legend has been spotted back on set amid comeback rumours seven years after her exit. The Sun were first to reveal earlier this year that actress Catherine Tyldesley, 41, is making a return as Eva Price to Weatherfield. 4 4 4 We can now reveal that Catherine has been spotted on set, signaling further she is all set for her big Coronation Street comeback. A source told The Sun: "'There has been lots of excitement on set because Catherine has been seen around the place. "She's not back filming just yet, but it won't be long." Catherine was set reprise her famous Corrie role. A source told us at the time: 'Cath has been away for a while and worked on countless other projects but she really missed Corrie. 'They've tried to get her back a few times but the stars have never alligned. 'But when she was approached with the idea for Eva's return, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. 'She'll start filming again in summer and be back on screen for autumn. 'She's so excited and can't wait to get back on the cobbles and it's definitely not going to be a storyline to miss.' BECOMING A CORRIE STAR Catherine was an instant hit when she joined Corrie in 2011, as feisty barmaid Eva. Coronation Street actors Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley lead soap stars in The Good Ship Murder She was on the ITV soap for seven years until 2018 and during that time was involved in some HUGE storylines. In her most memorable storyline she fell pregnant with tragic Aidan Connor's baby and attempted to give her daughter to Toyah Battersby. Cath's character also enjoyed several steamy relationships with Adam Barlow, Rob Donovan, Jason Grimshaw and Nick Tilsley. Eva left Weatherfield after she moved to France with her mum Stella. 4 COMEBACK TALK Earlier this year, Catherine opened up about the possibility of returning to the cobbles. She teased fans by insisting she would "never say never". "Coronation Street feels like forever ago, but I always look back with such great fondness,' she told Prima magazine. "They've asked me to go back a couple of times over the years, and it just so happened that I was busy with other projects. "But if they approached me with an amazing storyline and the time was right, of course, I'd go back. So it's always a case of never say never.' LIFE AWAY FROM CORRIE Since leaving Coronation Street, Catherine has continued to dominate our TV screens. She has gone on to star in BBC One series Scarborough and Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder, as well as compete on the 2019 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
