Coronation Street has added a familiar face to its cast, and longtime TV viewers will instantly recognise her. Pauline McLynn, best known for playing Mrs Doyle in Father Ted, is stepping into life and fans are already reacting with surprise and excitement. She’ll be appearing this autumn as Maggie Driscoll, the newest face behind the bar at the Rovers Return.
Coronation Street: A New Role, But a Very Familiar Actress
McLynn’s casting was revealed as part of a new storyline involving the return of Eva Price, played by Catherine Tyldesley. Eva is set to become the new landlady of the Rovers, and joining her is a full family, including her husband Ben Driscoll and his mother Maggie, played by McLynn. Although she looks quite different from her days on Father Ted, McLynn’s appearance in promotional photos didn’t go unnoticed.
Many fans quickly recognised her and expressed excitement at seeing her back on screen in Coronation Street. McLynn brings a strong background in both comedy and drama. While many know her as Mrs Doyle, she’s also appeared in Shameless as Libby Croker and has worked on a range of other TV dramas. Her experience and screen presence make her a solid addition to the long-running soap.
Viewers Welcome Her to the Street
The casting has received an overwhelmingly positive reaction online, especially from those who have followed McLynn’s work over the years. Many fans saw her addition as a chance to bring a different tone to the show, especially after recent criticism that Corrie has become too focused on grim and heavy plots.
Charlotte Ashcroft said she thought McLynn would be excellent and hoped the show would allow her character to stay grounded and relatable without any dramatic twist. She said Coronation Street needed more “normal nice people.” Dale Stafford Gent said he looked forward to seeing McLynn’s humour return to screen.
What’s Ahead for Maggie Driscoll
McLynn’s character Maggie will live at the Rovers along with her son Ben, her daughter-in-law Eva, Ben’s two sons, and Eva’s daughter Susie. The family dynamic is part of a broader change to the pub’s storylines, and McLynn will have a front-row seat at the centre of it all.
Producer Kate Brooks called it “absolutely wonderful” to have McLynn in the cast. She also said the Driscoll family won’t be easing in quietly. She teased “big drama, explosive secrets and raucous knees-ups,” and said viewers would quickly connect with the new arrivals. Brooks also said the production team had already grown fond of them and believed the audience would feel the same.
This role gives McLynn the chance to step into a setting. Our guess is she’ll prove more than capable of handling everything. And for fans, it’s a welcome return for an actress who has left a lasting mark on British television. For more updates on Coronation Street and all your favourite soaps, stay with Soap Opera Daily.