The Cobbles Calls Again: Evelyn Plummer’s Unexpected Return After a “Sabbatical” – Will She Chase Away the Darkness?

The Cobbles is buzzing with anticipation as a familiar face, a sharp wit, and a strong personality are set to return: Evelyn Plummer, portrayed by the legendary Dame Maureen Lipman. After a period of absence and hints of a “retirement” from the screen, news of Evelyn’s comeback has sent waves of excitement and curiosity through the fanbase. Will this highly anticipated return bring a fresh dynamic to Coronation Street, especially given the increasingly “dark” storylines that Maureen Lipman herself has openly critiqued?

📚 University Adventures Interrupted: Evelyn’s Return to the Cobbles

Evelyn Plummer surprised audiences when she decided to leave the Cobbles earlier this year to embark on a new chapter: pursuing a law degree at university. This bold move was encouraged by her close friend, Roy Cropper (David Neilson), who always pushed Evelyn to follow her passions. Evelyn’s departure left a significant void, as she’s a character known for her dry wit and deeply human moments on the show.

Last year, Maureen Lipman had hinted at taking a “gap year” from the show, explaining that Evelyn would be “in and out” so the actress could “have a bit of a life.” Evelyn’s most recent on-screen appearance was in March, when she returned after learning her daughter, Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney), had been ostracized by locals for drugging and stealing from Ken Barlow (William Roache). Upon discovering that Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) had tempted Cassie with drugs, Evelyn decided to stand by her daughter, even considering dropping out of university to protect Cassie. This demonstrated the complex family dynamics surrounding Evelyn, and perhaps these unresolved issues are precisely what’s drawing her back.

According to Metro, Evelyn will be back on screens for a few weeks in the near future as Maureen returns to filming. A source from The Sun also confirmed: “As Evelyn went off to uni, it makes sense for her to pop back in from time to time.” Even co-star Claire Sweeney had previously expressed her hopes for Maureen’s swift return, telling Metro: “[Maureen’s] dipping in and out now. Whenever she goes, we had a few drinks with her the other day and we were like: ‘You’ll be back, we’ll see you soon.’ She goes off to do a play or whatever she’s doing but hopefully she’ll be back.”

🎭 Critiquing “Darker” Storylines and The Cobbles’ Golden Age

Notably, Maureen Lipman’s return comes after she candidly voiced her dissatisfaction with Coronation Street’s current storyline direction. Last year, the veteran actress openly criticized the show’s “darker” plots and reminisced about its golden age – a period when many scripts were penned by her late husband, prolific screenwriter Jack Rosenthal.

“We’ve come to a point in Corrie now where people are getting murdered in knicker factories,” she said on the Beyond the Title podcast. “We’re having domestic abuse. Anything that ticks the box of social problems in the 21st century is going to be in your local soap.”

She continued: “Whereas back then you had the freedom to put Martha [Longhurst], Minnie [Caldwell] and Ena [Sharples] in the snug and have a conversation about Ben-Hur. It’s never been political but I always like it when the women sit down and go, ‘Ooh, Donald Trump, ain’t his hair shocking.’ People talk like that, and we recognise it as true.”

This critique highlights an intriguing dynamic: a veteran actress returning to her role, yet holding strong opinions about the show’s direction. Will Evelyn’s return signal a shift towards a more balanced approach for Coronation Street, blending social drama with the lighthearted, everyday moments Maureen Lipman seems to miss? Or will Evelyn herself be drawn into the very “dark” storylines her portrayer is critical of?

Evelyn Plummer’s comeback promises to bring a fresh wave of emotions and unpredictable developments to the Cobbles. Audiences are undoubtedly eager to see how this sharp-witted character will shake up the small screen once more.

What do you think Evelyn will bring to the Cobbles after her absence? Will she find peace or be drawn into new troubles?