Fans hoping for a permanent merger of the UK's two biggest soap operas have had their dreams dashed by the shows' top boss. Following the upcoming historic 'Corriedale' crossover event, the executive producer has confirmed there are no plans for any future crossovers between Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
The Crossover Event and the Final Word
The unprecedented crossover, airing next week, will see the worlds of Weatherfield and the Yorkshire Dales collide in a dramatic car pile-up. The special episode, dubbed 'Corriedale', features a star-studded cast from both ITV staples. However, when asked about the potential for more collaborative storylines, Iain MacLeod, Executive Producer for Continuing Drama at ITV, delivered a definitive answer.
Speaking at a panel after the Corriedale premiere, MacLeod explained that while the two shows now technically share a fictional universe, akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they will remain largely separate. 'There are two stories that emerge from what you’ve just seen that do pursue parallel lines, one in one show and one in the other show,' he stated. 'So there’s some degree to which those stories are in conversation with each other, but not literally, there’s no crossovers or anything like that.'
He emphasised the distinct identities of each programme: 'People love Corrie and people love Emmerdale and they are distinct entities and they have their own tone and voice and sense of humour and their own way of telling stories but they wouldn’t together blend long term.' His final word on the matter was clear: 'There are no plans to do anything similar in the future.'
Cast Revel in the One-Off Experience
Despite the news that Corriedale will be a one-off, the actors involved have expressed immense joy at the unique filming experience. Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle in Emmerdale, shared her excitement at working with Coronation Street icons. 'I think it’s that thing when you grow up watching something and you have so much respect for the other side of the M62,' she said. She particularly praised scenes with Julia Goulding (Shona Platt) and Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt).
Coronation Street's Jack P. Shepherd echoed the sentiment, recalling a scene shared with legendary actors from both soaps. 'Me and Emma, we were lucky enough to be with Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) and Ken Barlow (William Roache) as well,' he revealed.
Emmerdale star Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) highlighted the camaraderie on set, noting that filming largely took place on location in Yorkshire. 'It was nice because we were all on location, so we didn’t feel like they were coming to our turf... It just felt like we were all on location together, and it was great. Everybody got on really well.'
Interactive Element and Final Details
Adding an extra layer of excitement for viewers, the Corriedale event features an interactive vote. Fans can choose one of four potential scenes to appear in the final episode. The options are:
- Charity Dingle and Carla Connor
- Sam Dingle and Kirk Sutherland
- Ross Barton and Tracy Barlow
- Nicola King and Roy Cropper
Voting is conducted via a dedicated Instagram post and will close 15 minutes before the episode airs on Monday, January 5, 2026. The episode itself promises explosive drama, emotional scenes, and consequences that will change lives, marking a unique but ultimately singular moment in British soap history.
