Coronation Street star Sair Khan teases dark storyline for Alya Nazir as ‘demons’ are exposed

Coronation Street - Alya tells Ryan that Debbie’s looking for a trainee manager
Coronation Street's Sair Khan has spoken out on a future dark storyline for Alya Nazir. (Image credit: ITV)

Coronation Street actress Sair Khan, who plays Alya Nazir in the ITV soap, has hinted at a major unexpected storyline for her character that suggests it could see her 'demons' laid bare.

Alya has been at the forefront of many big storylines over the years, including her grandmother, Yasmeen (Shelley King) being domestically abused by her husband, Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew).

Most recently, she discovered that her brother, Zeedan (Qasim Akhtar) had been money laundering through the family business Speed Daal. 

Sair remained secretive about the upcoming plotline, but she did hint that Coronation Street is ‘taking things in a really different direction’ for her character and that it’s her ‘dream’ storyline.

Talking to the Daily Star she said: “Well my dream storyline, actually, I think it might just be about to happen! I had a chat with the producer last week and we’re taking things in a really different direction.

“Something really unexpected happens and it changes Alya’s perspective on everything, so it’s a future that wasn’t expected but I’m really excited about it.”

Is Alya Nazir convinced by her brother's plan?

Alya has been involved in some major storylines over the years. (Image credit: ITV)

The soap star then went on to suggest that her ‘demons’ could come to light, teasing that everyone has secrets.

"Everyone's got secrets, haven't they? Everyone's got a few demons in the closet," she continued.

"The great thing about our producer Iain [MacLeod] and his wife Verity [assistant producer at Coronation Street] is they love to speak to you about your character, they love hearing your ideas. I'm all for demons and darkness!"

Sair has played much-loved Alya on the cobbles since 2014, but the actress, who appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2018, also has her sights set on Emmerdale.

“If I could appear on any soap it would probably be Emmerdale, because it’s our sister show — sister or cousin,” she told the Daily Star.

“My grandparents are from Leeds and I’m from Leeds, so really I should be on Emmerdale but I’m accidentally on Corrie!”

Coronation Street airs hour-long episodes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 pm on ITV — see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on episodes on ITV Hub

Grace Morris
Staff Writer

Grace is a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, where she writes series guides, recaps and features for must-watch shows and delivers all the latest soap news and reactions. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.


You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!


Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series.