Mal Targets Vulnerable Bernie in Coronation Street as Secret Threatens Marriage
Bernie Winter-Alahan, portrayed by Jane Hazelgrove, is grappling with a guilty secret that now walks the cobbles of Coronation Street, poised to shatter her marriage to Dev Alahan. The once joyful, albeit mismatched, pairing of Bernie and Dev, played by Jimmi Harkishin, has hit turbulent waters, exacerbated by Bernie's ongoing grief.
Grief Spirals Out of Control
The couple's relationship initially strained due to Bernie's interference in her stepdaughter Asha Alahan's life, now faces a new crisis. Bernie is struggling to cope with the death of her close friend Billy Mayhew, husband of her late son Paul Foreman. Executive Producer Kate Brooks recently hinted that this grief would steer Bernie into darker territory, exploring how suppressed emotions eventually erupt with serious consequences.
Brooks explained, 'Bernie is stoic; she buried her grief after Paul's death to be everyone's rock. We wanted to see what happens when another tragedy strikes and that pent-up sorrow manifests. It's a muddy, murky journey that reveals a new side to her.'
A Drunken Mistake Comes Back to Haunt Her
Following Billy's funeral, Bernie's grief boiled over, leading to a heated argument with Dev and a night of heavy drinking with friends. In a drunken stupor, she ended up in a hotel room with a stranger named Mal, played by Tim Treloar. While she rebuffed his advances, Bernie indulged in minibar drinks and took a pill, a mistake she confessed to her daughter Gemma, swearing it would never recur.
However, fate has other plans. Mal is no random stranger; he is the husband of Roy Cropper's pen-pal, Alice, and has since left his wife to work locally as an electrician. His presence on the Street ensures Bernie's secret is far from buried.
Mal's Arrival Sparks Tension
In upcoming scenes, Mal's integration into the community heightens Bernie's anxiety. When he arrives at Roy's flat for work, Bernie hides her discomfort, suggesting a cheaper electrician, but Roy refuses, feeling partly responsible for Mal's marital breakdown. Later, at the Rovers Return, Bernie confronts Mal discreetly, where he promises to keep their secret and leave once his job is done—a pledge that seems dubious at best.
Brooks teased, 'It's a big test for Bernie and Dev. They're a strong couple who adore each other, but this story will challenge them profoundly, with Roy also embroiled in the drama.'
As Mal becomes a fixture on the Cobbles, Bernie's secret looms larger, threatening to explode and test the resilience of her marriage in what promises to be a gripping storyline for Coronation Street fans.
