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Evelyn (played by Maureen Lipman) has become a fan favourite amongst Coronation Street viewers, establishing herself as one of the ITV soap’s most formidable battle-axes. Before filming on the show was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic, some of the older characters were the first cast members reportedly not appearing in scenes due to being classed in the vulnerable category. With production reportedly set to resume next month as lockdown measures are eased, there has been some concern whether pensioners would be allowed to return. Now, actress Maureen, 74, has voiced her take on the matter, but could her alter-ego make a temporary departure?
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The no nonsense character first appeared on the cobbles back in 2018 when it emerged beloved Weatherfield resident Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) had been adopted at birth.
This led him on a quest to track down his birth mother, but instead he met Evelyn, who revealed her daughter had died, making her his last living relative.
Although their relationship got off to a shaky start, the pensioner soon warmed to her grandson and has since integrated herself into the community.
Upcoming scenes will even see new developments in her relationship with long-lost love, Arthur Medwin (Paul Copley).
However, with changes sure to be made to the set to ensure social distancing rules are adhered to and those most vulnerable aren’t put in danger, soap star Maureen has revealed her character’s future.
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Speaking with the Jewish News podcast, the soap star said: “I had a word with the producer last week online and I said: ‘Don’t ditch the oldies because the oldies are what Corrie is about.
“They said: ‘Oh no, we’ve no intention of doing that’, so I said: ‘Why don’t you just let me and Roy [Cropper] sit in a garden somewhere and have a conversation about Donald Trump’s hair.'”
There has been no official confirmation on how and what changes to casting will be made if any when filming restarts, but could older characters be absent from some of the very first scenes to be shot?
It may be the likes of Maureen and her fellow pensioners could be filming together away from the younger cast members, but again, nothing has been announced.
Don’t ditch the oldies
Maureen Lipman
The speculation about changes being put in place on set comes after the Prime Minister laid out the Government’s response to easing lockdown over the coming weeks and months.
After measures were announced as to what guidelines soaps would have to adhere to, ITV bosses supported the movement to get shows filming again in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Executive for the broadcaster Carolyn McCall said: “ITV has been at the heart of informing, entertaining and connecting the UK through the Covid-19 crisis.
“Our production teams are now working hard to bring many more much loved shows back for viewers.”
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Some changes which could be made with older characters such as Evelyn might include their roles in keeping the cobbles afloat.
Tyrone’s grandmother is currently working as a shopkeeper at the corner shop, but could she be staying indoors more in future scenes instead of being behind the till?
Speaking with press, including Express.co.uk earlier this month, Executive Producer Iain MacLeod explained what viewers can expect from the show to reference coronavirus.
“The Coronation Street that we love is the one that reflects modern Britain, albeit in a more heightened way sometimes.”
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“And it just felt that if there were to be no coronavirus in Coronation Street, it would stop being a reflection of modern Britain and would instead be a parallel fantasy land. So we took the view that it has to exist in our world.
“It’ll be there, it’ll be handled with a light touch, but other than that our storytelling will be business as usual,” the soap boss continued.
Changes viewers will see will include restaurants providing takeaways and residents of the cobbles queueing outside shops.
Viewers will have to sit and wait to see what prevails, but Evelyn will surely make a nuisance no matter if she stays in the Dobbs household or goes out for her daily walk.
Coronation Street continues tonight at 7:30pm on ITV.
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