Coronation Street is set to peel back the layers of one of its most formidable new characters in a special flashback episode that promises to reveal a 'terrifying' side to landlady Maggie Driscoll.
From Mrs Doyle to Monster-in-Law
Played by Pauline McLynn, best known as Father Ted's tea-obsessed Mrs Doyle, Maggie arrived in Weatherfield in 2025 as the new co-owner of the Rovers Return. Her arrival coincided with the return of Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley), who hoped to run the pub with her partner, Maggie's son Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker). Instead, Eva found herself locked in a bitter war with an acid-tongued mother-in-law from the start.
The two women have clashed over everything from drink menus to entertainment, with Maggie making no secret of her disdain for her son's girlfriend. Yet, the character has also shown a softer, maternal side, doting on her grandsons and compassionately helping Asha Alahan through a panic attack.
A Birthday Reveals a Darker Past
Now, a landmark episode focusing on Maggie's 65th birthday – a nod to the soap's own anniversary – will use a flashback to expose the roots of her fierce nature. McLynn has confirmed the episode will travel 'many years into the past', offering a glimpse of a young Maggie and finally introducing her mysterious husband.
'This was properly going back in time,' the actress revealed, praising the show's art, costume, and makeup departments for their meticulous work in recreating the period. 'The detail is fabulous.'
The Secret That Shaped a Matriarch
While McLynn remains tight-lipped on specifics, she hints that the flashback explores the 'difficulty of being a young mother' and presents a pivotal moment in Maggie's marriage. 'It's actually very moving,' she said. 'I won't say whether she was happy or unhappy... it's just presented as what happened.'
This long-buried secret is teased as having major repercussions, potentially waiting to be unlocked by a simple question, perhaps even from her son Ben. 'It's obviously something they don't talk about,' McLynn added, suggesting the revelation will explain why Maggie is so protective and, at times, antagonistic.
'She's about protecting her boys,' the actress insisted. 'Right from the beginning, we know that's been a huge thing for her, and that's why she's so fierce. She's terrifying when she's like that.'
This deep dive into Maggie Driscoll's past promises to redefine viewers' understanding of the character, proving there is much more to the Rovers' iron matriarch than barbed remarks and a steely exterior.
