Table of Contents
- New Role in The Good Ship Murder
- Success After Coronation Street
- Introducing Mimi McQueen
- Reflection on Leaving Coronation Street
- FAQ
Former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach has unveiled her new role in The Good Ship Murder and acknowledged that her character is completely different from any role she has portrayed previously.
Ellie made her transition after 12 years on the soap.
Ellie Leach shines in a preview from The Good Ship Murder series 3Credit: Instagram
Ellie discusses her new role during a filming break
She won Strictly with Vito Coppola in 2023Credit: PA
Since departing from Weatherfield, Ellie's career has continued to soar.
Just months after leaving the ITV soap, she went on to win the Glitterball Trophy, triumphing in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 with her partner.
Now, with a daring new character, Ellie has shared details about her next venture.
She has joined the Channel 5 murder mystery series featuring Shayne Ward as ex-detective turned singer Jack Grayling, who collaborates with First Officer Kate Woods (Corrie's Catherine Tyldesley) to solve crimes aboard a luxury cruise ship.
The actress teased her fans with a behind-the-scenes clip from the set, introducing her latest character, Mimi McQueen, as scenes flashed by while she spoke to the camera.
“She is unlike anyone I’ve portrayed before,” Ellie stated.
“I’m playing Mimi McQueen — she’s incredibly sassy, she embodies ‘boss’, and I absolutely loved it.”
Ellie confessed that the role pushed her beyond her comfort zone, describing Mimi as “somewhat rude to others” – a challenge for her.
“I don’t want to be rude to anyone!” she chuckled.
However, she emphasized that there is more to Mimi than meets the eye.
She explained: “Deep down, she’s genuinely a nice, normal person, but her star persona really shines through.”
“That’s what I adore most about her.”
Ellie made her appearance in episode 2 of series 3 of the cruise-ship drama, following its festive special last week.
The third series sees Jack and Kate visiting Cannes alongside an all-star cast – including the emerging talent, Mimi McQuinn.
Regrettably, Mimi becomes the show’s latest victim.
This role is a stark contrast to Ellie’s time on the Cobbles, where she portrayed the troubled yet kind-hearted schoolgirl Faye Windass.
Last year, she spoke about fearing her “life was over” when she was written out of the soap.
Ellie shared: “When I was informed about a storyline that would lead to my exit, I thought: ‘Oh my God, my life is over…’”
“I was like, ‘I don’t have anything. I don’t have a job, and I have no idea when the next opportunity will arise.”
“If the next opportunity will even come. Thank goodness Strictly came along just a couple of weeks later.”
“It felt like a blessing in disguise. If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have experienced the incredible year I’ve had.”
Ellie joined the cast in 2011.
She portrayed Faye Windass until 2023.
At the time of her departure, an insider shared: “Ellie has been on the show since she was 10 years old, so it’s the only environment she has known; she considers the cast an extension of her family.
“She’s sad to leave but grateful that her character won’t be killed off.
“She plans to explore other acting opportunities for a while.”
The soap star has been involved in numerous impactful storylines over the years, including teenage issues, early motherhood, and even being sent to prison for assaulting a neighbor.
Ellie also appeared in the reality show Drama Queens.
She portrayed Faye Windass on Corrie until 2023Credit: Rex
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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