ITV is gearing up for a landmark television event, but not all viewers are convinced the ambitious crossover between its two flagship soaps will succeed. The special episode, dubbed 'Corriedale', will see the worlds of Coronation Street and Emmerdale collide in a one-off, hour-long special airing on Monday, January 5.
Cast Members Clash with Critics
The significant expectations and accompanying scepticism have even reached the stars involved. Emmerdale actor Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Dingle, recently recounted a blunt encounter with a doubting fan. 'I had one guy in the M62 service station who said to me, "I don't think it's going to work",' Miller revealed.
He responded with a light-hearted retort, asking the man's profession before joking, 'Well I wouldn't tell you how to drive an HGV!' Miller noted the irony that judgements were being made without anyone having seen the finished product.
A 'Premium' Production with High Stakes
ITV's Executive Producer for Continuing Drama, Iain MacLeod, has overseen the project from its inception, fully aware of what is on the line. He emphasised the production's scale, stating the team aimed for a 'premium feel' to showcase the soaps' visual and storytelling craft.
'We started off with a list that looked at the best things that could happen in a soap,' MacLeod explained. 'Affair reveals, murder reveals... we thought wouldn't it be great if we could have all of these? We had a good go!' He confidently challenged potential detractors, adding, 'If anyone looks down their nose at the soap genre after watching that I'll write to them!'
Explosive Drama and Uniting Casts
The episode promises a multi-vehicle pile-up that brings characters from both soaps together in explosive circumstances. Key storylines converging include Charity Dingle's (Emma Atkins) baby secret finally exploding and Debbie Webster's (Sue Devaney) wedding plans.
The extensive cast list features major stars from both serials. From Weatherfield, viewers can expect Sally Carman as Abi Webster, Alison King as Carla Connor, and Jack P. Shepherd as David Platt. From the Dales, key players include Jeff Hordley as Cain Dingle, Lucy Pargeter as Chas Dingle, and Natalie J. Robb as Moira Dingle.
With consequences set to ripple through both series long after the initial crash, Corriedale is scheduled to air at 8pm on Monday, January 5, following Emmerdale at 7pm and Coronation Street at 7.30pm.
