Cast changes never slow down on Coronation Street, but 2026 is already lining up to be another year of exits, emotional fallout, and fresh faces stepping onto the cobbles at exactly the wrong time. After the chaos of the Corriedale crossover, Weatherfield has seen some major changes.
Who Is Staying in Coronation Street?
Debbie Webster stays firmly at the centre of Corrie in 2026, especially after the show confirmed her young-onset dementia diagnosis will not wrap up quickly. Corrie writer Jonathan Harvey confirmed that Debbie’s condition will progress over “the next few years,” and Sue Devaney also revealed that the storyline will continue “well into 2027,” even though the soap hasn’t confirmed an exit timeline.
Carl Webster also looks set to remain a key figure in 2026, but not for the reason viewers first assumed. Corrie introduced him towards the end of 2025 as Kevin and Debbie’s estranged brother, only to reveal in 2026 that Carl is actually Debbie’s son, born in 1986 and Debbie remains the only person who knows the truth.
Theo Silverton continues in 2026 with a storyline that stays dark and uncomfortable, as Corrie shows him abusing Todd Grimshaw. The soap has kept this plot intense, and Theo’s presence keeps the danger hanging over Todd’s life and future. And, Todd Grimshaw remains trapped in Theo’s storyline, and Corrie keeps him at the heart of the emotional fallout.
With Theo still in Weatherfield, Todd’s situation looks far from resolved, and the show seems ready to keep pushing this plot through 2026. Kevin Webster stays closely tied to the Carl twist, because Corrie originally framed Carl as his estranged brother before flipping the story completely. If Kevin finds out Carl is Debbie’s son, it could tear through the Webster family and force Kevin to face a truth that Debbie has hidden for decades.
Who Will Leave / Has Already Left?
Billy Mayhew has already left the cobbles in 2026 after Corrie killed him off during the Corriedale crossover episode. Brocklebank reflected on the exit by saying he had been working on Corrie for “a quarter of my life,” and he shared that he adored every minute there and never stopped looking forward to going into work.
He also made it clear the goodbye came with mixed emotions, as he said he felt sad to leave but equally excited to see what the future holds. Billy’s death turned his departure into one of the biggest emotional blows of the year so far.
Dee-Dee Bailey also left the cobbles shortly before Billy, making the run-up to Corrie Del feel even more brutal for fans. Sterling-Brown joined Corrie in 2022 as Dee-Dee, the daughter of Ed Bailey and Aggie Bailey, and the character drove several major storylines before her exit played out towards the end of 2025 and carried into 2026.
Becky Swain has also left the Street after the show confirmed she has already been sentenced, bringing her short stint to an end. Corrie wrote Becky out quickly, but her exit still added to the growing sense that 2026 will keep moving fast when it comes to cast changes.
Who’s New in Coronation Street?
Jodie arrives as one of the newest faces connected to the Corriedale fallout, stepping into Weatherfield as Shona Platt’s half-sister. Corrie introduces her after the crossover day, and the timing alone makes it clear that Shona won’t get a calm moment to breathe before new family drama lands right on her doorstep. Harper, the doctor, also enters the storyline through Corriedale, meeting David Platt during the chaos and then helping Shona at the hospital afterwards.
Corrie positions Harper as more than a one-scene character, because his involvement ties him directly to both David and Shona at a moment when their world feels shaken. But creators have cleared the air and said Harper isn’t coming back. Harper Platt also becomes part of the 2026 picture, as Shona’s newborn baby joins the storyline even though Corrie hasn’t revealed her face yet.
Who Is Coming Back?
Gail Platt has already returned in 2026 in a cameo-style appearance. Corrie didn’t bring her back full-time, but the moment still landed as a nostalgic surprise, and it reminded viewers that Weatherfield never truly closes the door on a legend.
Jacob Hay also makes a comeback in 2026 after leaving Coronation Street back in 2023 or early 2024. His return instantly raises questions about what pulls him back to Weatherfield now, and whether he arrives to fix old ties, or stir up brand-new trouble on the Street. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.