There will also be new romances, infidelities and exits in 2025 that will shock fans of the ITV soap

If you thought the residents of Weatherfield faced enough drama in 2024 with the disappearance of Lauren Bolton and the false imprisonment of Roy Cropper, the end of groomer Joel Deering, and the tragic loss of Paul Foreman, the soap’s new producer would tell you you’re wrong.

The Manchester Evening News was able to find out all the upcoming gossip from Coronation Street’s new producer Kate Brooks who revealed all about what will be her first start of a year in Weatherfield having taken over the reigns of the running of the ITV soap earlier in 2024 with her own input into the TV institution only recently starting to be seen on screen.

Speaking to the M.E.N., Kate, who previously worked as a producer on Emmerdale, said: “Coming up in 2025, there’s loads of really exciting stuff. There’s loads of shocks coming up. Just when you think a story is going in one direction, we do a complete 360 and it goes in a completely different direction.

“I think bold, innovative storytelling is key. Exciting, thrilling drama that really keeps the audience captivated. Compelling drama, but at the heart of it there needs to be a truth, and I always seek to find the truth in those stories.”

Here’s everything Kate told the Manchester Evening News about what is to come in Weatherfield in 2025:

Kevin’s diagnosis

“The Websters are brilliant,” Kate said. Kevin and Sally are at the heart of it, then you’ve got Tim and you’ve got Abi. They’re a great character group. As we go into the new year, Kevin will discover that he’s got testicular cancer, which causes a massive strain on his relationship.

“Abi is a really strong character, but she’s going through her own turmoil at the same time. We want to tell this really truthfully. We’ve been working closely with Macmillan to make sure that we tell the story right.”

She continued: “Ultimately, it’s about their relationship and testing that relationship. It was really important that we don’t show Kevin being embarrassed or being reticent to talk to his friends about it. He’s quite open about it, which I thought was quite refreshing. He talks to Tim and Steve about it, and they all have their own way of handling it, but ultimately, it’s about his relationship with Abi, and that is going to be truly tested.”

She added: “As I alluded to, Abi is going through her own situation as she struggles with the aftermath of a big event that happens in January. She loves Kevin and he loves her, but temptation comes Abi’s way…”

Mason’s stabbed

On tackling the issue of knife crime, Kate told us: “Just when you think it is safe to relax, we start the year with a big knife crime story. It’s a really important story to tackle, because the statistics are so alarming. I think knife crime has gone up by 80% in the last ten years.

“We worked really closely with the Ben Kinsella Foundation to make sure we’re telling the story right, and that the message is to not carry a knife out of fear, because that escalates everything. We know we’re tackling a sensitive storyline, and it’s going to be very hard-hitting.

“We have Mason at the centre of it and Dylan and Betsy are involved. It has massive ramifications for Abi, and for Tim and Sally going forward. We just felt like it was a subject that we couldn’t ignore. It has big consequences for people going forward, and it isn’t a subject matter that we tackle lightly. It’s an important one to talk about and let young people know that carrying a bladed article is not the way.”

She added: “It’s a real community story and a shocking story. I love the shock storytelling tactics. I think they work and they keep people guessing. And it is definitely a shock! We’re telling the story in a very interesting way. It’s not your usual linear storytelling. It’s different and it’s bold, but I think it’s really impactful how we’re telling it.”

Rob Donovan is back

Kate revealed more details about Rob’s big return as Marc Baylis reprises his role after nearly eight years. After it was teased that some things that are going to cause problems for Carla and Lisa, and one very big one in particular, Kate continued: “There is a big one… A big Rob Donovan return!

“There are other familiar coming back in 2025 which I will not disclose, but a few people will be returning to the street to cause their own forms of chaos. First up is Rob. We last left Rob languishing in prison. He made mistakes. He comes back to the show and we think he might be a reformed character who has seen the error of his ways.

“But whether that’s the case or not, I don’t know! He definitely comes back and causes a lot of trouble for Carla and Lisa. Just when Carla and Lisa think it’s safe to sit down and watch Netflix, Rob comes along and scuppers all of that. So, it’s a big story for them and a big story for Rob. Lots of twists and turns. It’s a big story for Betsy [Swain] as well, who is fabulous and will be right at the centre of that.”

She added: “I love Rob and Carla. I love tapping into their history together, and we really explore that through this story. There’s so many twists and turns along the way, it’s really exciting. It’s going to be eventful for Carla and Lisa…”

Weatherfield’s new family

Kate revealed: “We’ve got some great characters coming in. They are Mick and Lou. They’re coming to live at the back of Chesney, on Maudsley Street, across the ginnel. They are livewires, they are ruffians, they are going to cause a lot of damage and a lot of chaos.”

She went on to tease: “There is a link to Chesney initially, but they are coming to stir up a lot of trouble, and open up the floodgates and unpack the past of one of our big characters, which is Kit. So, really interesting, wonderful and dynamic stuff that’s going to be fantastic. We’re really excited, they come in with oodles of drama.

“They are shaking things up. They’re neighbours from hell. They’re overfamiliar, likeable and they’ve got kids. Initially, they develop a friendship with Chesney and Gemma, but there are other things to unpack. I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of them – especially Mick! They are brilliant actors.

“They are coming to cause some chaos on the street, and they will leave a trail of devastation… They’re coming on the street all guns blazing and will land on screen around February time. Really chaotic but really enjoyable. They have a charm to them, but they do and say things that you shouldn’t!”

There will be more exits…

“There are a few exits this year, and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves,” Kate teased. “People might not expect the exits, but there are a few.”

Love will also be in the air

Kate confirmed: “Alya Nazir and Adam Barlow is definitely a slow burn. I think they’re really interesting to have in the solicitor’s office. We obviously have Dee-Dee Bailey as well in 2025. Just when you thought the Joel story had come to an end, there is another chapter that happens that is going to completely upend Dee-Dee’s life.”

She added: “There are a couple of infidelities here and there in 2025, but ultimately the relationships of the Platts, Carla and Lisa, these are all relationships that are going to be at the forefront of the show.

“There might be a new man for Todd Grimshaw incoming… He’s been single for donkey’s years, and he’s fantastic. The Grimshaws are another big clan I am eager to explore. So, there might be a new man coming for Todd, which will come with its own tests and trials.”