Coronation Street viewers were baffled when a mystery name appeared on the cast list for the long-awaited Corriedale episode. ITV is airing a one-off special episode which will see the worlds of two of the nation’s favourite soaps collide for the first time. Among the star-studded cast list is Olivia Frances Brown.
The hour-long broadcast, dubbed as ‘Corriedale’, will see the lives of the residents of Weatherfield intertwine with their Yorkshire counterparts. Fans of the soaps are more than excited to see their favourite characters meet on-screen for the first time in this jam-packed special episode.
To name a few of the faces starring in the episode include Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers), Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), Kit Green (Jacob Roberts), Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) and Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney).
Actress Claire Sweeney reflected on the unique episode as she told the ECHO: “I think it’s a piece of history. You look back on the old days of the tram crash, you look back on when the aeroplane came down on Emmerdale, they were historic pieces in the soap and this is the same, it’s never happened before.”
Claire, who portrays Cassie Plummer on Coronation Street, said: “It’s not just like a regular episode where we stroll in the Woolpack or Emmerdale strolls into the Rovers, it’s epic.”
The iconic episode will see Olivia Frances Brown introduced to viewers. On the ITV cast list, the Scouse actress and singer is listed as a character named Jodie, which is yet to be explored further.
Although her new role on the cobbles has remained under wraps, what do we know about the star’s life off-screen?
Fans may recognise Olivia for her roles in TV series Boiling Point, as well as thriller The Gathering. She is also a jazz singer, known for her debut single “Shade of Red”. She also performs in and around the city, singing jazz in the Petit Cafe in Liverpool.
She has racked up 17,900 followers on Instagram, with many fans engaging in her regular posts. Her profile reads: “Probably singing jazz standards somewhere.”
Fans may also be interested to learn the new soap star is in a happy relationship with award-winning actor James Nelson Joyce.
The 36-year-old Scouser enjoyed a year to remember in 2025 with a scene stealing performance in A Thousand Blows before he proved his leading man credentials in This City Is Ours.
Away from the screen, the couple have been in a happy relationship for a number of years. Olivia often shares aspects of their busy life on social media, from stunning holiday snaps to a gorgeous photo alongisde her partner on Christmas Day.
She captioned the post: “Merry Xmas from JNJ & OFB.” It was liked by thousands, as well as many recognisable names including Claire Sweeney, Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt), Andy Whyment (Kirk Sutherland) and Julia Goulding (Shona Platt).
While Olivia is yet to make any formal announcement about her soap role, fans will have to stay tuned to see what will come following her mystery appearance in ‘Corriedale’.