Coronation Street has finally drawn a line under one of its most notorious figures. And the reaction from the man who played him has raised more than a few questions. Charlie Lawson hasn’t just accepted Jim McDonald’s off-screen death; he’s openly relieved by it, arguing that the show had already done lasting damage to a once-iconic character.
Charlie Lawson Welcomes Jim McDonald’s Final Exit
Lawson has made it clear he believes Jim McDonald’s time was long overdue. The actor says the soap’s handling of Jim during his later appearances stripped away everything that once made him powerful, dangerous, and memorable.
Rather than mourning the character’s demise, Lawson feels the death finally protects Jim from being “ruined” any further. The news plays out quietly on screen, with Jim’s son Steve receiving a phone call informing him of his father’s passing.
There are no explosive scenes or last-minute confrontations, something Lawson describes as deeply disappointing. He has said it was a tragedy that Jim didn’t go out in a dramatic, violent, or emotionally charged way that reflected his history.
Jim McDonald dominated the cobbles from 1989 to 2000 before returning sporadically over the years. His final on-screen appearance came in 2018, when the character was shown battling myotonic dystrophy. For Lawson, that period marked the point where Jim lost his edge and credibility.
The Storyline That Left Fans Furious
During Jim’s last major plot, the scheming jailbird attempted to convince ex-wife Liz, played by Beverley Callard, that the baby daughter they lost years earlier was still alive and had been switched at birth.
The storyline later revealed that the woman Jim presented as their daughter was actually his secret lover, Hannah. The entire con was designed to drain Liz and Steve of their money, but the twist landed badly with viewers.
Lawson has admitted that he agreed to the return before seeing the script because the work was financially hard to refuse. Once it aired, however, the backlash was immediate. Fans contacted him directly to say how much they hated the plot. Lawson has said the storyline felt weak and hollow, a far cry from the gritty, muscular writing Jim once enjoyed. He believes that decision-making behind the scenes robbed Jim of his menace. Lawson learned about Jim’s death in September and appreciated that the producers told him directly.
Since stepping away from Weatherfield, Lawson has stayed busy. Perhaps most importantly, Lawson is grateful simply to be back on his feet. After suddenly losing the ability to walk due to spinal damage linked to old riding accidents, he feared permanent disability. While he admits he will miss parts of Coronation Street, he insists he has no regrets. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.