Coronation Street: Why you MUST watch tonight’s harrowing episodes

FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before 0001 Wednesday May 5th 2021 Coronation Street Wednesday 5th May 2021 Nina Lucas [MOLLIE GALLAGHER] in Hospital with Roy Cropper [DAVID NEILSON]. Picture contact David.crook@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

Tonight's Coronation Street will see Seb and Nina attacked in a storyline that has been in the pipeline for years...

Coronation Street is set to air its groundbreaking hate crime episodes tonight (Wednesday 5th May).

The scenes will see Nina Lucas and Seb Franklin attacked by Corey Brent and his gang of mates.

The episodes, which will show a vicious attack triggered by Nina's appearance, promise to be the sort that will be talked about for years to come.

After spending an afternoon drinking, Corey and his friends, including Kelly Neelan, will target Nina and Seb.

Coronation Street spoilers: Seb Franklin and Nina Lucas are brutally attacked!

Nina and Seb are cornered by Corey and his gang (Picture: ITV)

The harrowing attack will see the pair rushed to hospital, both with serious injuries.

More: BBC dramas - all the must-see TV shows to watch on iPlayer 

Coronation Street boss Iain MacLeod opened up about the storyline, revealing it's been in the pipelines for years...

"A couple of years ago, a story of this type was floating around the writers room and it just felt like it was something that needed to be told.

"It felt like it was something that sits very well in the soap genre."

Planned to perfection 

Iain also admitted that Nina's character has always been heading for this storyline, ever since she arrived in Coronation Street back in November 2019.

"As far back as the introduction as Nina, we knew this was the direction that the story was going to take," Iain continued.

Seb lies battered and bruised in hospital Coronation Street

Both Nina and Seb are left with horrific injuries following the attack (Picture: ITV)

"It all began with the death of Roy’s mother some years ago now and we brought Nina in specifically.

"Viewers have fallen in love with her and they understand her relationships with everyone, particularly Roy.

"We really wanted to make it somebody that was connected to Roy.

"Roy's been exposed to a lot of intolerance in his relationship with Hayley as well, so it felt like he was somebody who had the right level of life experience to be Nina’s guide through this.

Roy sits by Nina's hospital bed in Coronation Street

Roy will be left shocked by the attack on Nina and Seb (Picture: ITV)

"Roy is very protective of Nina, who is his one remaining family member.

"So attaching her to Roy was a very deliberate stepping stone in telling this story."

Corrie cast shine 

Iain went on to praise the young cast members, who are set to shine throughout this vital storyline...

"The performance level is incredibly high.

Abi at the hospital with Seb in Coronation Street

Abi finds out that Seb has been attacked while she's on her hen night (Picture: ITV)

"Although the story draws in Roy, Abi and Kevin and the older cohorts and the heritage characters, ultimately it’s routed in an incident that occurs within this younger group of characters.

"They are carrying a huge amount of responsibility with this story."

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.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.