Weatherfield, November 2, 2023
Coronation Street fans eagerly anticipating Abi Webster’s new storyline will have to wait a bit longer, according to the show’s producer, Iain MacLeod. In an interview with Digital Spy and other press, MacLeod shed light on the delay, assuring viewers that the intriguing plotline has not been abandoned but has been temporarily pushed aside.
Abi Webster, portrayed by the talented actress, has had a relatively quiet year on the iconic cobbled streets of Weatherfield after the intense custody battle for baby Alfie in 2022. Earlier this year, MacLeod had teased fans about an upcoming plotline involving Abi “reconnecting with somebody from her past, who transpires to be the last possible person you’d expect to find in her backstory.” He described the story as a “massive culture clash comedy” featuring an odd couple dynamic.
However, the promised storyline failed to materialize, leaving fans curious and speculating about its fate. Addressing the delay, MacLeod explained the challenges faced in juggling multiple compelling narratives within the show. “As often happens in shows like ours, you have pitches that you’re going to play and then writers come in and pitch things that are similar but competing,” he revealed. “My job is to decide strategically which stories to pursue now and which ones to save for later.”
MacLeod went on to clarify that the Abi storyline had not been abandoned but had been temporarily sidelined in favor of another compelling narrative that made more sense to pursue at this moment. He refrained from divulging specific details to maintain an element of surprise for the audience.
In the interim, Abi Webster has been involved in significant storylines, including supporting Aaron Sandford during a difficult time and standing up against a drug dealer to protect her friend Cassie Plummer.
Coronation Street continues to air on ITV1 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8 pm and is available for streaming on ITVX. Fans can rest assured that Abi’s anticipated storyline is still on the cards, promising an exciting and unexpected twist in the beloved soap opera.
