Weatherfield residents should be looking over their shoulders as death comes to Coronation Street with an Irish accent and a talent for brewing the perfect cuppa. Pauline McLynn's character Maggie Driscoll might appear as just another battleaxe mother-in-law, but she's hiding a murderous secret that's about to be exposed.
A Deadly Secret from the Past
The Rovers Return's newest proprietress has blood on her hands, and ITV are set to reveal all in a special flashback episode focusing on Maggie's 65th birthday. The milestone celebration, which nods to the show's own anniversary, will transport viewers back in time to uncover the origins of this matriarchal monster-in-law.
Actress Pauline McLynn teased the upcoming revelations, stating: 'It is going to be a very big birthday. When it comes to events, Maggie, we discover, is like anybody who's the head of the family. You put on your game face every day.'
The episode will finally introduce viewers to Maggie's mysterious husband and reveal she has another son living in America, adding new layers to the Driscoll family dynamics that have been carefully concealed until now.
Flashback Episode Reveals Shocking Truth
McLynn expressed her excitement about working with a younger version of her character, describing the experience as 'the most magical, strange thing ever.' She praised the production team's attention to historical detail, noting that 'the art department, the costume department, and the makeup team did such a great job of putting it together.'
While the actress remained tight-lipped about exactly who meets their end at Maggie's hands, she confirmed the flashback events fundamentally shaped the woman viewers see today. 'It's actually very moving when you see what happens in the flashback because it shows the difficulty of being a young mother,' McLynn revealed.
The consequences of this long-buried tragedy could resurface at any moment, potentially triggered by a simple question from her son Ben or another Weatherfield resident. McLynn hinted: 'It could be way down the line. We don't know, so you'll be waiting for somebody to say, "Can I just ask you...?"'
Eva Price in Mortal Danger?
This revelation about Maggie's violent past spells serious trouble for Eva Price, played by Catherine Tyldesley. The barb-tongued matriarch has been at war with her son Ben's girlfriend since she first stepped behind the Rovers Return bar, creating conflict not seen since the days of Blanche Hunt and Bet Lynch.
McLynn explained her character's motivations: 'She's one of those very fierce women who's fiercely protective of the family. Obviously, she just doesn't really approve of Eva. She may like her, and if Ben wasn't around, I'm sure they'd get on really well.'
The tension between the two women is reaching crisis point, with Maggie's criticism of Eva's pub management throwing more shade than a solar eclipse. But as the flashback reveals, Eva might have more to worry about than just catty remarks.
McLynn confirmed the matriarch's uncompromising nature: 'She sees herself as the matriarch; it's her way or the highway.' Given Maggie's newly revealed capacity for violence, Eva might be wise to take that highway option before she ends up in a body bag.
The flashback episode, scheduled to air in late November 2025, promises to rewrite everything Coronation Street fans thought they knew about the Driscoll family and set the stage for explosive future storylines.
