Will Mellor joins the cast of Coronation Street as a dangerous drugs lord

Coronation Street star Will Mellor
(Image credit: Joseph Scanlon)

Will's character is about to make Leanne Battersby and Simon Barlow's lives a living hell...

Will Mellor has joined the cast of Coronation Street to play the first 'baddie' role of his career.

The Manchester-born actor, who started his career on Children's Ward and Hollyoaks, has also appeared in shows like Line of Duty, Broadchurch, Waterloo Road, White Van Man and Death in Paradise to name but a few.

Will Mellor as new Coronation Street baddie Harvey

Will Mellor has joined the cast of Coronation Street to play new baddie, Harvey (Picture: ITV/Joseph Scanlon) (Image credit: Joseph Scanlon)

Will is set to arrive in Weatherfield as dangerous drug lord Harvey, who will be at the centre of Simon Barlow's latest turbulent storyline.

More: Coronation Street star Beverley Callard will accept off-screen death for Liz McDonald 

Viewers have watched poor Simon, played by Alex Bain, get himself mixed up with selling drugs for 'friend' Jacob as he struggles to support his grieving mum, Leanne Battersby.

But soon Leanne will discover what trouble Simon is in, leading to her also being forced into a dangerous world of drugs and despair.

Coronation Street Simon Barlow sees Jacob's nasty side

Simon has got himself caught up with a drugs gang as he struggles to support grieving mum, Leanne (Picture: ITV)

Leanne, who is still grieving for her son Oliver after losing him to Mitochondrial Disease last year, will see her maternal instincts kicking in as she battles to save Simon from the grips of the drugs gang.

Danger and despair   

But it isn't just Jacob who Leanne and Simon will have to answer to.

Harvey, played by Will, is Jacob's 'boss' and piles on the pressure to make Simon pay off his 'debts'.

But it soon becomes clear that Harvey has no intention of letting Simon out of his dangerous grasp.

Leanne Battersby speaks to Toyah in Coronation Street

Leanne is still grieving for son Oliver and will find herself caught up with newcomer Harvey (Picture: ITV)

Speaking of his new role on Coronation Street, Will said: "I’m honoured to be asked to come into Coronation Street, it’s such an iconic show and has been a huge part of my family life.

"When I started acting 32 years ago it was my mum’s dream for me to be in Corrie so I’m happy to finally be able to make it come true.

"It’s a Manchester institution and as a Manchester actor this is definitely a box ticked."

A role with a difference

Will has also admitted this is a very different role to anything he has played before, mainly because Harvey is a villain through-and-through.

Will Mellor in front of The Rovers as Coronation Street newcomer Harvey

Will Mellor has said being in Coronation Street is a dream come true for his mum! (Picture: ITV/Joseph Scanlon) (Image credit: Joseph Scanlon)

"Harvey is the first out and out baddie I’ve ever played.

"It’s a very different type of role for me so I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into the character and making some waves.”

Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod added: "I am so excited to welcome Will into our world.

"He is a fantastic actor who has thrown himself heart and soul into making his character as terrifyingly real as possible.

"He will have a massive impact on our characters’ lives, from the moment he swaggers menacingly onto the screen."

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.