Veteran director Duncan Foster has opened up about the immense pressure and unique challenges of helming ITV's groundbreaking soap opera crossover, 'Corriedale'. The special hour-long episode, which aired on Monday, January 5, 2026, brought together the residents of Weatherfield and the villagers of Emmerdale for a dramatic collision on a dark roadside.
The Nerve-Wracking Wait for Sunrise
With over 350 Coronation Street episodes and 250 Emmerdale credits to his name, Foster is no stranger to high-stakes television. However, he revealed that the most intense moment of the entire shoot came down to a simple, uncontrollable element: the weather. He described standing in a field at 4am, unable to feel his feet in the cold, staring at a clear, starry sky.
'That was the most stressful part of the entire shoot for me,' Foster confessed. His vision hinged on capturing a perfect sunrise to symbolise the two iconic worlds parting ways, leaving audiences with a 'slightly positive feeling'. The director's anxiety was rewarded, as he recalled, 'and wow, when we got it, it was incredible.'
Honouring Soap Legends On Screen
The crossover boasts a stellar cast, featuring legends from both serials including Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt), Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle), Alison King (Carla Connor), and the iconic patriarchs William Roache (Ken Barlow) and Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard). Foster shared a particular insight into filming the historic scene between Barlow and Pollard.
Contrary to hopes of a perfect first take, the scene required five or six attempts due to different shot sizes. Foster was adamant in the edit suite that the moment deserved its full due. 'This is Eric Pollard and Ken Barlow in a scene. This is such an iconic moment. We have to give it every single second of television that we can give it,' he insisted. The final cut reflects this, playing out largely as the actors performed it.
Emotional Moments and Fan Power
The production was not without its off-camera emotional weight. Foster, who has known William Roache for over 25 years, shared a touching moment. 'He came onto set, he was a little bit emotional, he gave me the biggest hug... he was just so thrilled to be in that one scene, and that is one of my favourite scenes.'
Adding an innovative twist, the episode also featured an interactive element where fans could vote for one of four scenes to appear in the final broadcast. The options included pairings like Charity Dingle and Carla Connor, and Sam Dingle and Kirk Sutherland. Voting closed just 15 minutes before the episode aired via a dedicated Instagram post.
Now, after six months of intense work knowing 'every line, every moment, every gasp,' Foster admits the most stressful part is over: watching the finished product. 'Nerve-wracking really!' he said of viewing 'Corriedale' for the first time. The director's candid revelations offer a rare glimpse into the hard graft and heartfelt passion required to bring two British television institutions together for an unprecedented event.
