Soap star Natalie Anderson, famed for her role in Emmerdale, has now joined the cast of Coronation Street, bringing drama to the cobbles as she goes head-to-head with Sarah Platt.
The 43 year old has made quite the impression with ITV audiences in her role as Danielle on Monday (April 7). Natalie Anderson has warned soap fans to prepare for more drama.
“Danielle’s very layered, you never really know what you’re going to get,” Natalie says, “You think she’s going to be one thing then she turns out to be another.”
The actress promises a character that bursts onto the scene with vigour. “This character really hits the ground running and she’s got so much going on internally. Getting to play all those layers in one woman is so incredible and why I’m absolutely loving playing her.”
Before becoming a familiar face as Alicia Gallagher in Emmerdale, Natalie gained attention starring in The Royal. After leaving the soap in 2015, she continued to shine in television with Hollyoaks, joined Michelle Keegan in the Netflix show Fool Me Once, and featured alongside Liam Neeson in Memory.
Yet for Natalie, landing a part on Corrie was always a dream come true. Natalie reflects fondly on the legacy of the show: “There’s a real nostalgia with Coronation Street,” she says.
“Some of the most incredible actors have tread these cobbles, so it’s a huge honour to follow in those footsteps – even just to be a teeny part of its history.”
Natalie opened up about her personal connection to the show’s history, saying, “Back in the day Raquel and Curly, Jack and Vera, Deirdre and Ken – these amazing icons that many of us working in the genre today really looked up to as we set out.”
Despite her initial nerves, Natalie found comfort on her first day thanks to Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw. “I was so nervous on my first day,” she admits, but adds, “Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, made me feel at ease. She has just been so kind.”
She quickly formed a bond with co-stars Gareth Pierce and James Cartwright, who play Todd Grimshaw and her on-screen husband Theo, respectively. “Gareth has been my buddy and he’s amazing. James I absolutely adore, I’m so lucky he’s playing Theo, he’s the most fantastic person and a brilliant actor,” she gushes.
Natalie also shared how Gareth helped her and James settle in: “Because both James and I are new, Gareth has been like our schoolmate showing us around.”
She even had a delightful surprise reunion with Tony Maudsley (George Shuttleworth), whom she’d worked with previously. “I’ve worked with Tony Maudsley [who plays George Shuttleworth] before, that’s been lovely,” she reveals.
However, while there’s camaraderie off-screen, Natalie’s character Danielle is set to cause quite the stir for Todd, whose love life has been tumultuous since his fling with Moses, Paul Foreman’s former carer.
Theo, played by James, enters as a captivating yet enigmatic figure, who is also Danielle’s husband, adding an intriguing twist to the storyline.
“They’ve been married a very long time,” Natalie shares. “While there have been strains in the marriage, when you have been married for such a long time, those things are bound to happen anyway.
“She doesn’t think it’s anything more than the strains of a long-term marriage. With many years together, managing teenagers, maybe complacency has crept in. If anything, she would suspect other women could turn his head.”
Natalie cautions that Danielle won’t win hearts immediately. “She’s very judgmental,” she reveals. And Sarah Platt, portrayed by Tina O’Brien, is directly in her crosshairs. “Danielle’s always sizing people up and straight away she gets a vibe from Sarah that something’s off,” Natalie discloses.
When Danielle spots Todd and Sarah together, she jumps to the wrong conclusion, assuming that the pair are an item. Ironically, she’s not that far off – they did date for three years before Todd came out as gay.
Danielle’s verdict? “Danielle thinks he’s kind, probably too good for Sarah,” Natalie shares. “She’s reading that this isn’t a genuine relationship and she thinks Sarah isn’t as invested.”
But Danielle is taken aback when she discovers that Todd is gay. “Danielle and Theo were raised in the church,” Natalie explains, “so she’s opposed to that.”
Naturally, Danielle once again pins the blame on Sarah. “She thinks if Todd’s gay then somebody has been covering up for someone and immediately again jumps to the conclusion that Sarah’s the problem,” Natalie discloses.
Despite Danielle’s seemingly judgemental exterior, there’s a raw and human side to her. “Danielle is grieving, she’s only just lost her mum so her emotions are all over,” Natalie reveals.
And what if Theo’s affair with Todd comes to light? “Danielle’s unpredictable,” Natalie shares. “One minute she can be crying and the next she’s shouting at somebody. “But if the secret was to come out, I can’t imagine she’s going to take it very well.
She would make things very difficult. “However, there’s always a chance for redemption – or maybe a new love interest. “Steve [McDonald]’s always a good catch, isn’t he?” Natalie suggests, “Everybody loves Steve.”