Pauline McLynn Joins Coronation Street as Rovers Return Gets New Family

Iconic Irish Actress Arrives with Publican Clan

The legendary **Pauline McLynn** is set to grace the cobbles of Coronation Street, taking on the role of a new pub landlady’s mother. Her arrival signals a significant shake-up at the Rovers Return Inn.

New Publicans and Familiar Faces

McLynn, beloved for her role in Father Ted, will portray Maggie, the mother of the new landlord Ben O’Driscoll. This character will be brought to life by **Aaron McCusker**, known for his work on Shameless. Adding to the buzz, **Catherine Tyldesley** reprises her role as Eva Price, returning with her new partner.

Family Drama Brewing

The O’Driscoll family, including Ben’s two sons, will be settling into Weatherfield. They are set to take over the Rovers Return in October, marking Eva Price’s first appearance since her departure in 2018. Her daughter Suzie will also be joining the ensemble.

Producer Promises Big Drama

Coronation Street producer **Kate Brooks** expressed her excitement about the new arrivals. She stated:

“We are beyond thrilled that Eva is returning as the landlady of the Rovers, with her new blended family in tow. The Driscolls do not arrive quietly, so expect big drama, explosive secrets and raucous knees-ups galore. To have actors of Catherine, Aaron and Pauline’s considerable calibre at the beating heart of this family is absolutely wonderful, and we can’t wait for you to get to know and fall in love with them as much as we have already done.”

—Kate Brooks, Coronation Street Producer

Brooks added a further enticement for viewers: Strap yourselves in, it’s going to be an exciting and eventful ride.

Cast Departures and New Beginnings

The introduction of the new family comes as several long-standing cast members have recently departed the ITV soap. **Sue Cleaver**, who played Eileen Grimshaw for 25 years, is among those who have left, alongside **Colson Smith** (Craig Tinker) and **Luca Toolan** (Mason Radcliffe).

The integration of new characters is a common strategy to keep long-running soaps fresh; for instance, the introduction of the Knight family to Coronation Street in late 2023 generated significant viewer interest, with initial storylines focusing on unearthed secrets and family feuds, driving up ratings for that period (Digital Spy, 2023).