Coronation Street actress is back filming after 9 years – but there’s a twist

She’s back again! (Picture: ITV/Danielle Baguley/Shutterstock) Coronation Street has been known to use the same actor to portray multiple roles in its 65 year history. One of those actors, and a face that fans may well recognise, Emma Matthews, is returning to the show, this time in a brand new role. Emma had previously appeared intermittently as a nurse at Weatherfield General Hospital, clocking up episodes in 2012, 2013 and 2015, as she played a role in dealing with the many medical emergencies that inevitably develop on the street. Her turn as a nurse came before she undertook a more substantial role when she appeared as Fiona Crawley, a social worker dealing with Abi Webster’s (Sally Carman) children, Charlie and Lexi Franklin, appearing in two episodes in October of 2017. ITV have, thus far, been keeping quiet on what Emma’s new role will be, how long it will run for or what storylines it could impact. Emma previously appeared as Fiona Crawley, Abi Webster’s social worker, responsible for dealing with her young twins, Lexi and Charlie (Picture: ITV screengrab) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Emma is currently starring in David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy in the West End’s Garrick Theatre, and has notched up an impressive theatre career, appearing in Cabaret, Oh What A Bloody Circus, The Hired Man, Stepping Out, and Gangsta Granny. Her other television credits include: Prisoners Wives, Casualty, Trying Again, Doctors and The Bay. While maintaining a busy acting career, Emma helps nurture the stars of the future, having also opened her own stage school in Bury back in 2013, telling the Bury Times: ‘Opening another stage school was something I had always wanted to do and moving back to the area gave me that opportunity. ‘We have lots of contacts in the industry including casting directors, agencies and TV and film companies, so many of the children we work with end up getting professional work’. In conjunction with all of that, Emma has been pursuing a Masters qualification in Theatre Directing. She recently directed an adaptation of Beautiful Thing – a play written by Coronation Street writer, Jonathan Harvey, no less – to complete the final practical assessment of her degree. Emma isn’t the only multi-character actor who’s back in Weatherfield, though, as Elizabeth Rider recently resurfaced as Sadie, the mum of Asha Alahan’s (Tanisha Gorey) new love interest Sienna Milburn (Charlotte Tyree). Elizabeth Rider previously appeared on Coronation Street as Kathleen Gutteridge, the biological mother of established character, Ashley Peacock… (Picture: ITV/REX) Sadie is suffering with dementia, though to a much more advanced degree than Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney), though her presence has absolutely shaken Debbie and her husband Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan), with them both considering Sadie to be an incredibly sobering look into the future. Emma previously appeared on the cobbles 20 years ago in 2006 as Kathleen Gutteridge, the biological mum of Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), who she’d abandoned at birth, leading his birth father Fred Elliott (John Savident) to hand him over to his aunty Beryl Peacock (Anny Tobin), who became his adoptive mum. …and recently returned as Sadie Millburn, the dementia-suffering mother of Sienna (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV) She later showed up again as Genna, a social worker involved in the process of Les Battersby-Brown (Bruce Jones) adopting his step-son Chesney (Sam Aston). Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin Speaking to The Sun after her return was announced, a source said: ‘Corrie bosses are delighted to have tempted Elizabeth for a short stint on the cobbles. She’s a legendary actress with a huge amount of talent and everyone’s thrilled she’s here.’ Arrow MORE: Coronation Street star accused of ‘making disability up for benefits’ with abuse coming daily Arrow MORE: EastEnders star rushes son, 6, to hospital after mystery illness Arrow MORE: Real-life soap couple share update with romantic picture: ‘I love you’ The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.