Call the Midwife star set for Coronation Street return 6 years after ITV soap exit

Call the Midwife star Chris Harper is set to reprise his role as Nathan Curtis in Coronation Street. The 46-year-old actor recently portrayed Geoffrey Franklin in the BBC One period drama, but will return to ITV's Corrie as the disappearance of Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) continues.

As fans of the ITV soap will know, Lauren went missing back in February, with Roy Cropper (David Neilson) later being arrested and wrongly charged with her murder.

However, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon). will first spot her abuser Nathan lurking in Weatherfield again at the reconstruction of Lauren’s last known movements. She will soon find out that he was released from prison some time ago, and is now working on a nearby building site.

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Bethany later becomes convinced that Nathan was the one behind Lauren's suspected murder, but with Roy behind bars awaiting trial for murder and Nathan keen to make out he’s a changed character, is all what it seems to be?

Nathan was last seen in Weatherfield more than six years ago in person as he was imprisoned in 2017 after he groomed the then-teenager Bethany as part of a sex trafficking scheme. However, it has actually been six years since he last appeared in the soap, as he was seen in a vision experienced by Bethany.

On being asked to return to the show, Harper said: "I was emotional when I was told about Nathan's potential return. During the 18 months he was in it before, hundreds of people shared with me how the storyline reflected something they, or someone they loved, had lived through. It remains important to keep them in mind as we continue Bethany's story."

He adds: "Once again, I am grateful for the ongoing support of Barnardo's, NSPCC, S.H.E.UK, and all the people who trusted me last time. We have another chance to raise an issue that affects so many lives, so often shrouded in shame."

Harper also spoke about his character's new storyline, saying: "I do love playing Nathan though. He is funny, deceitful, slippery, manipulative and ruthless. Now he is also under a lot of pressure too. This new storyline is absolutely full of twists.

"It really is good to be back on the hallowed cobbles. So much has happened since we saw Nathan sent to prison, but Coronation Street is a constant. I feel like the cast, crew and the whole team are old friends."

For support and guidance on matters raised within this story, visit Barnardo's, NSPCC and S.H.E.UK for help and advice.

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