'Coronation Street' star Sally Carman reveals she wants 'Vera' actress Brenda Blethyn to play Abi’s mum!

By Alison Slade
published

Could ‘Vera’ star Blethyn be tempted to swap Newcastle for the Coronation Street cobbles?

Coronation Street Abi
Please, Brenda! Coronation Street's Sally Carman wants Vera star Blethyn to play Abi's mum. (Image credit: ITV)

Coronation Street star Sally Carman, better known as Abi Franklin, says she would like Vera actress Brenda Blethyn to join the soap as Abi’s mum.

The 40-year-old made the revelation to whattowatch.com and other media at an online press conference to discuss the climax of son Seb's murder trial.

Brenda Blethyn: 'Vera's like a bag lady'

Big fan: Corrie star Sally Carman is a huge admirer of Brenda Blethyn (pictured here in 'Vera') and the appreciation is mutual. (Image credit: ITV/Helen Turton)

In a recent issue of TVTimes magazine, Vera star Blethyn revealed how she was a big fan of Coronation Street; telling the publication, “I’d love to be part of the Platt family or part of Abi the mechanic’s family. I think she’s terrific.”

Asked for her response to Blethyn’s comment, Carman replied: “Oh my goodness, Brenda is awesome. Kenny (Doughty), who is Brenda’s sidekick on Vera, I worked with him on a show a few years back, and he’s brilliant so we’re friends. 

“He’s a big supporter of Corrie; he watches it all the time, and I know Brenda does as well, so for her to say that, that’s brilliant, I’m chuffed.”

And asked who she thought Blethyn could play, Carman added, “She could play my mother. I would adore that!”

Viewers may not be meeting Abi’s mum any time soon, but they will soon be seeing her ex-partner Tez, who is also the father of her late son Seb. Corrie have cast Stephen Lord in the role. Stephen starred in EastEnders between 2007 and 2008 as Jase Dyer. 

EastEnders Stephen Lord Jase Dyer

Coming to Corrie: Ex EastEnder Stephen Lord has been cast as Abi's ex, Tez. (Image credit: BBC)

Abi calls on dodgy Tez for help when she decides to take matters into her own hands to make sure evil teen Corey Brent pays for Seb’s murder following his shock acquittal in court.

The revenge plot is being touted as one of the major storylines for Autumn, and is set to form a huge part of Coronation Street’s ‘Super Soap Week’ in October.

Teasing Abi’s revenge mission, Carman says “It’s huge and life changing, but it’s like she’s being driven by a force that she can’t stop.

“There are stunts galore, and it’s been so much fun (to film).

“It’s one of those storylines as an actor where you just go ‘Come on, let’s ‘ave it!’” 

Coronation Street airs on Mondays and Wednesdays 7.30pm and 8.30pm with an hour-long episode at 7.30 on Fridays on ITV - see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on episodes on ITV Hub now. 

Alison Slade
Alison Slade
Soaps Editor

Alison Slade has over 20 years of experience as a TV journalist and has spent the vast majority of that time as Soap Editor of TV Times magazine. 

She is passionate about the ability of soaps to change the world by presenting important, issue-based stories about real people in a relatable way.

There are few soap actors that she hasn’t interviewed over the years, and her expertise in the genre means she has been called upon as a judge numerous times for The British Soap Awards and the BAFTA TV Awards.

When she is not writing about soaps, watching soaps, or interviewing people who are in soaps, she loves going to the theatre, taking a long walk or pottering about at home, obsessing over Farrow and Ball paint.