Jim McDonald (Coronation Street)
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" McDonald is a fictional character
in the British television ITV
soap opera
, Coronation Street
. Portrayed by actor Charles Lawson
, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989. The character is noted for his violent nature and his passionate love for his wife Liz
(Beverley Callard
).
He was a regular character for a period of eleven years from 1989 until 2000. He has since made a number of brief returns since 2003 the most recent being in spring 2011.
(his wife since 1974) and his 15-year-old twin sons Steven and Andrew. Jim, from Northern Ireland
, had been in the army for more than a decade prior to his arrival in Weatherfield
. He then found work as a security guard but left after a violent encounter with two intruders led to him feeling concerned that he could kill someone if such a situation arose again.
Actor Charles Lawson was approached to play the part of Jim McDonald, the father of the new family unit that was to be introduced to the series. At the time Lawson had previously been offered a role in the series by producers but turned the role down, which he regretted and took the second role they offered him. Of the casting Lawson said: "I was working at the National Theatre when Street producers first approached me, I was a little bit up my own arse at the time and said 'no' - which was very silly. The following year they were introducing a new family - the McDonalds - into the Street and asked me again. I didn't know anything about the show. I never watched it because it was on TV at the wrong time of night for me - I was usually in the pub.".
Lawson quit the show in 1999 because he felt that script writers had run out of ideas for his character. He then returned for certain storylines in 2003 and 2005. Lawson agreed to return to portray his character during a storyline which saw his wife Liz
marry Vernon Tomlin
. Lawson later reprised his role as the character once more in 2009 for a storyline which saw the character's on screen son marry Becky Granger. Lawson has said that he is happy to return any time there are 'juicy storylines' available.
(Michael Le Vell
) at MVB Motors. Jim suffers a personal tragedy in January 1992 with the death of his one-day-old daughter Katie. He splits from Liz a short time afterwards after she berates him for punching Steve (Simon Gregson
) during an argument. Liz goes to manage a nearby pub for a short time but they are soon back together.
Their marriage hits new depths in 1996 when he hits her at a service station in Birkenhead
after she admits to having an affair with one of his former army colleagues. Jim is arrested shortly afterwards for trying to break into their house by using a spade to smash the windows, and after further breaching the conditions of a restraining order placed upon him, he spends several weeks in prison for burglary.
In 1997 Jim has a one-night-stand with his son Steve's ex-girlfriend Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin
). This results in Jim stopping her wedding to Alan McKenna (Glen Hugill) and confessing what had happened between them, as a result Alan dumps Fiona, who is carrying his child. Steve is disgusted with Jim and gets back together with Fiona, helping her to bring up her son Morgan.
Jim is badly injured after falling from scaffolding
following a fight with Steve on a building site in 1998, and has to undergo physiotherapy to regain his ability to walk. Jim then catches Liz in bed with his physiotherapist and throws her out, quoting in his strong northern Irish accent "Get out of my house you cheating bitch" and they are soon divorced.
In September 2000, Steve is badly beaten by drug dealer Jez Quigley (Lee Boardman
). Jim gets revenge by viciously beating Jez in his own home. Jez later dies in hospital from a ruptured Spleen
. Jim gives himself up to the police and is remanded in prison to await trial. He re-marries Liz on 30 November 2000, and is later sentenced to eight years imprisonment for manslaughter.
. They try to flee to Ireland
, but have to stop to rescue Ashley
(Steven Arnold
) and Claire Peacock
(Julia Haworth
) who are adrift in a boat. Jim is soon recaptured and returns to prison. In 2005, Jim beats up another inmate. His parole licence is cancelled as a result and he is ordered to remain in prison until the end of his sentence in September 2008. Liz gives up waiting for Jim and divorces him again.
Jim returns to the Street in November 2007, after being released early from prison for good behaviour. On his return to the street, Jim seems to everyone to have changed for the better - a reformed character, teetotal, and friendly to all. Steve gives him a job at the cab firm, valeting the cars, and lets him see his granddaughter Amy (Amber Chadwick). However, Jim has thoughts deep down about his ex-wife's upcoming marriage to drummer Vernon Tomlin
(Ian Reddington
), and in the end it gets the better of him. On the day of Liz and Vernon's marriage, Jim gives Vernon a severe beating after Vernon launches at him, even hitting Dev Alahan
(Jimmi Harkishin
) in the process. Steve breaks up the fight, and in no uncertain terms tells his father he is no longer welcome, forcing Jim to leave the Street.
In August 2009, Jim returns for Steve's wedding to Becky Granger
(Katherine Kelly
) along with Andy
(Nicholas Cochrane
), Steve's twin brother. When Becky is arrested and accused of dealing drugs, Jim finds out about Slug (Marshall Lancaster
), the person who planted the drugs, and suggests to Steve that he give copies of Slug's photos to taxi businesses around Weatherfield, in the hope someone will recognise him. After that, he leaves the Street with Andy.
Jim returns again in November 2010, to celebrate his 55th birthday with Steve, meeting Becky's nephew Max and catching up with Kevin in the Rovers and attends the funeral of his old friend Jack Duckworth
(Bill Tarmey). The next day Jim sends Liz some flowers, which are intercepted by her new boyfriend Owen Armstrong
(Ian Puleston-Davies
) who then goes to 'The Flying Horse' and warns Jim to stay away from her. Jim later turns up at the Rovers and bumps into Owen again, goading him about the flowers and telling Steve what Owen has done.
On 1 December 2010, Jim once again turns up at the Rovers and is disappointed that Liz is not there. He clashes with Owen again and then later on phones Steve and tells him that he is in hospital after getting into a fight in a pub. Steve visits him, along with Owen and after Steve had gone, Owen hints to Jim that he is behind the attack. When Steve goes to collect Jim from the hospital on 2 December 2010 Jim warns Steve that Owen was behind the beating and asked him to watch out for his and Liz's safety.
In March 2011, Jim meets Liz in the bar of a hotel. They have a drink and Liz tells him about Steve and Becky; he suggests that she buy the Pub from Steve. Jim later walks Liz to her room and it is revealed that they had a one night stand whilst in Spain. The next day he goes to the Rovers to speak to Steve and Becky and they tell him that they have had a fallout with Liz. Jim later meets up with Liz in the Cafe and tells her that he thinks Becky is controlling Steve.
In April 2011, Jim agrees to get the money to buy the Rovers, which costs £120,000 in total. After asking Kevin Webster
(Michael Le Vell
), who has just won the lottery, for some money, to which he refuses, Jim has no other options, so decides to rob a bank. He goes into the bank, and pulls out a gun to the receptionist, and she gets the money, but unbeknown to him, while she is doing so, she hits the panic button, which automatically alerts police something is wrong. He holds the entire bank hostage after being hit over the head with a chair. As the police arrive, Jim tells the policeman over the phone to get Liz to come down, to which they agree. After much talking, Liz manages to convince Jim to let the hostages go, and to come out. Jim comes out of the bank after letting the people go, and is arrested. He shouts 'Elizabeth, I'm sorry!' to Liz as he is handcuffed in a police car. The following day Liz visits Jim and tells him she"ll be there when he comes out, she then leaves for Spain. Steve visits Jim to inform him Liz has left but will attend the trial with him. Steve visit Jim in custody and tells him that Liz has gone back to Spain
to live with Andy. In October, Jim is sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
, said it was an "easy week for the scriptwriters" having Jim back. In explaining this she stated that his "irritating habit of calling everyone by their full names – Steven, Elizabeth, Rebecca – and finishing off every sentence with a ‘so there is’, ‘so I did’, ‘so you are’, et al, meant there were far fewer sentences to write."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the British television ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
. Portrayed by actor Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson is a Northern Irish film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born Quintin Charles Devenish Lawson in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland,...
, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989. The character is noted for his violent nature and his passionate love for his wife Liz
Liz McDonald
Elizabeth "Liz" Jayne McDonald is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Beverley Callard, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989 and remained on the series until Callard opted to leave in 1998...
(Beverley Callard
Beverley Callard
Beverley Jane McEwan is an English actress, best known for her role as Liz McDonald in ITV's Coronation Street, and Flo Henshaw in BBC Three's Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.-Early life:Beverley Jane Moxon was born in Leeds on 28 March 1957 to Clive and Mavis Moxon...
).
He was a regular character for a period of eleven years from 1989 until 2000. He has since made a number of brief returns since 2003 the most recent being in spring 2011.
Creation and development
He made his first appearance on 27 October 1989, with Liz McDonaldLiz McDonald
Elizabeth "Liz" Jayne McDonald is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Beverley Callard, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989 and remained on the series until Callard opted to leave in 1998...
(his wife since 1974) and his 15-year-old twin sons Steven and Andrew. Jim, from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, had been in the army for more than a decade prior to his arrival in Weatherfield
Weatherfield
Weatherfield is a fictional town, based on Salford in North West England, which serves as the setting for the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street...
. He then found work as a security guard but left after a violent encounter with two intruders led to him feeling concerned that he could kill someone if such a situation arose again.
Actor Charles Lawson was approached to play the part of Jim McDonald, the father of the new family unit that was to be introduced to the series. At the time Lawson had previously been offered a role in the series by producers but turned the role down, which he regretted and took the second role they offered him. Of the casting Lawson said: "I was working at the National Theatre when Street producers first approached me, I was a little bit up my own arse at the time and said 'no' - which was very silly. The following year they were introducing a new family - the McDonalds - into the Street and asked me again. I didn't know anything about the show. I never watched it because it was on TV at the wrong time of night for me - I was usually in the pub.".
Lawson quit the show in 1999 because he felt that script writers had run out of ideas for his character. He then returned for certain storylines in 2003 and 2005. Lawson agreed to return to portray his character during a storyline which saw his wife Liz
Liz McDonald
Elizabeth "Liz" Jayne McDonald is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Beverley Callard, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989 and remained on the series until Callard opted to leave in 1998...
marry Vernon Tomlin
Vernon Tomlin
Vernon Tomlin was a fictional character of the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Ian Reddington. he originally appeared from December 2005 till September 2008.-Background:...
. Lawson later reprised his role as the character once more in 2009 for a storyline which saw the character's on screen son marry Becky Granger. Lawson has said that he is happy to return any time there are 'juicy storylines' available.
1989–2000
Jim's next job is as a mechanic. After failing to succeed at running his own garage, Jim gets a job working with Kevin WebsterKevin Webster
Kevin John Webster is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Michael Le Vell, the character first appeared onscreen on 19 October 1983...
(Michael Le Vell
Michael Le Vell
Michael Le Vell is an English character actor, who since 1983 has played the role of garage mechanic, Kevin Webster, in the soap opera Coronation Street....
) at MVB Motors. Jim suffers a personal tragedy in January 1992 with the death of his one-day-old daughter Katie. He splits from Liz a short time afterwards after she berates him for punching Steve (Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson is an English actor. He is known for being a cast member of the British soap opera Coronation Street in which he has played Steve McDonald since 1989....
) during an argument. Liz goes to manage a nearby pub for a short time but they are soon back together.
Their marriage hits new depths in 1996 when he hits her at a service station in Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
after she admits to having an affair with one of his former army colleagues. Jim is arrested shortly afterwards for trying to break into their house by using a spade to smash the windows, and after further breaching the conditions of a restraining order placed upon him, he spends several weeks in prison for burglary.
In 1997 Jim has a one-night-stand with his son Steve's ex-girlfriend Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin
Angela Griffin
Angela Griffin is a British actress and television presenter.-Acting career:She appeared in the popular long-running British soap operas Emmerdale and most famously in Coronation Street as Fiona Middleton from 1993 to 1998...
). This results in Jim stopping her wedding to Alan McKenna (Glen Hugill) and confessing what had happened between them, as a result Alan dumps Fiona, who is carrying his child. Steve is disgusted with Jim and gets back together with Fiona, helping her to bring up her son Morgan.
Jim is badly injured after falling from scaffolding
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support people and material in the construction or repair of buildings and other large structures. It is usually a modular system of metal pipes or tubes, although it can be from other materials...
following a fight with Steve on a building site in 1998, and has to undergo physiotherapy to regain his ability to walk. Jim then catches Liz in bed with his physiotherapist and throws her out, quoting in his strong northern Irish accent "Get out of my house you cheating bitch" and they are soon divorced.
In September 2000, Steve is badly beaten by drug dealer Jez Quigley (Lee Boardman
Lee Boardman
Lee Boardman is an English actor and narrator.-Television:He is best known for playing Murray Priestman in Drop Dead Gorgeous as well as the drug dealer Jez Quigley in Coronation Street...
). Jim gets revenge by viciously beating Jez in his own home. Jez later dies in hospital from a ruptured Spleen
Spleen
The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
. Jim gives himself up to the police and is remanded in prison to await trial. He re-marries Liz on 30 November 2000, and is later sentenced to eight years imprisonment for manslaughter.
2003–11
In 2003, three years into his sentence and a year before his scheduled release on licence, Jim breaks out of prison after fearing that Liz is having an affair with her manager at a pub in BlackpoolBlackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
. They try to flee to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, but have to stop to rescue Ashley
Ashley Peacock
Ashley Sibelius Peacock is a fictional character from the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Steven Arnold, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 1 February 1995.On 23 April 2010, it was announced that the character had been axed along...
(Steven Arnold
Steven Arnold
Steven Arnold is an English actor best known for his role as Ashley Peacock in the long running hit show Coronation Street.- Early life :...
) and Claire Peacock
Claire Peacock
Claire Peacock , is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Julia Haworth, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 9 April 2003, as the new nanny of established character Ashley Peacock's son Joshua...
(Julia Haworth
Julia Haworth
Julia Louise Haworth is an English actress best known as Claire Peacock on ITV's Coronation Street, a role she has played since 2003...
) who are adrift in a boat. Jim is soon recaptured and returns to prison. In 2005, Jim beats up another inmate. His parole licence is cancelled as a result and he is ordered to remain in prison until the end of his sentence in September 2008. Liz gives up waiting for Jim and divorces him again.
Jim returns to the Street in November 2007, after being released early from prison for good behaviour. On his return to the street, Jim seems to everyone to have changed for the better - a reformed character, teetotal, and friendly to all. Steve gives him a job at the cab firm, valeting the cars, and lets him see his granddaughter Amy (Amber Chadwick). However, Jim has thoughts deep down about his ex-wife's upcoming marriage to drummer Vernon Tomlin
Vernon Tomlin
Vernon Tomlin was a fictional character of the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Ian Reddington. he originally appeared from December 2005 till September 2008.-Background:...
(Ian Reddington
Ian Reddington
- Early life :Ian Reddington was born in Sheffield. He was educated at Frecheville Comprehensive. He had no formal drama training, but became a leading figure in the Meatwhistle youth theatre project run by youth workers in the city. This gave him his first appearance as The Herald in Peter...
), and in the end it gets the better of him. On the day of Liz and Vernon's marriage, Jim gives Vernon a severe beating after Vernon launches at him, even hitting Dev Alahan
Dev Alahan
Devendra 'Dev' Alahan is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Jimmi Harkishin, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 10 November 1999.-Character development:...
(Jimmi Harkishin
Jimmi Harkishin
James "Jimmi" Harkishin is an actor best known for his role as shop owner Dev Alahan in Coronation Street. He also featured in the film East is East and also Bhaji on the Beach....
) in the process. Steve breaks up the fight, and in no uncertain terms tells his father he is no longer welcome, forcing Jim to leave the Street.
In August 2009, Jim returns for Steve's wedding to Becky Granger
Becky McDonald
Rebecca "Becky" McDonald is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. She is played by actress Katherine Kelly. Becky was created by producer Steve Frost as a recurring...
(Katherine Kelly
Katherine Kelly (actress)
Katherine Kelly, is a British actress and recording artist who is most well known for playing Becky McDonald in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She has also starred in the film Mischief Night.-Early life and career:...
) along with Andy
Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
(Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Cochrane is an English actor, best known for his role as Andy McDonald in long-running soap opera Coronation Street....
), Steve's twin brother. When Becky is arrested and accused of dealing drugs, Jim finds out about Slug (Marshall Lancaster
Marshall Lancaster
Marshall Lancaster is a British actor. He has appeared in many television dramas, including Coronation Street, Holby City, The Lakes and Family Affairs, but is probably best known for playing DC Chris Skelton in the BBC time-travel police dramas, Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.Lancaster is a...
), the person who planted the drugs, and suggests to Steve that he give copies of Slug's photos to taxi businesses around Weatherfield, in the hope someone will recognise him. After that, he leaves the Street with Andy.
Jim returns again in November 2010, to celebrate his 55th birthday with Steve, meeting Becky's nephew Max and catching up with Kevin in the Rovers and attends the funeral of his old friend Jack Duckworth
Jack Duckworth
John Harold "Jack" Duckworth is a long-standing fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. He is played by actor William Tarmey. The character debuted onscreen during the episode...
(Bill Tarmey). The next day Jim sends Liz some flowers, which are intercepted by her new boyfriend Owen Armstrong
Owen Armstrong
Owen Armstrong is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Ian Puleston-Davies. He made his first on-screen appearance on 9 June 2010.-Casting:...
(Ian Puleston-Davies
Ian Puleston-Davies
-Early life and career:Born in Flint, Wales, Puleston-Davies has starred in the ITV drama Vincent alongside Ray Winstone, and Ghostboat , alongside David Jason. He has also played the lead roles in Conviction and the BBC Three series Funland.He has starred in long-running dramas such as Holby...
) who then goes to 'The Flying Horse' and warns Jim to stay away from her. Jim later turns up at the Rovers and bumps into Owen again, goading him about the flowers and telling Steve what Owen has done.
On 1 December 2010, Jim once again turns up at the Rovers and is disappointed that Liz is not there. He clashes with Owen again and then later on phones Steve and tells him that he is in hospital after getting into a fight in a pub. Steve visits him, along with Owen and after Steve had gone, Owen hints to Jim that he is behind the attack. When Steve goes to collect Jim from the hospital on 2 December 2010 Jim warns Steve that Owen was behind the beating and asked him to watch out for his and Liz's safety.
In March 2011, Jim meets Liz in the bar of a hotel. They have a drink and Liz tells him about Steve and Becky; he suggests that she buy the Pub from Steve. Jim later walks Liz to her room and it is revealed that they had a one night stand whilst in Spain. The next day he goes to the Rovers to speak to Steve and Becky and they tell him that they have had a fallout with Liz. Jim later meets up with Liz in the Cafe and tells her that he thinks Becky is controlling Steve.
In April 2011, Jim agrees to get the money to buy the Rovers, which costs £120,000 in total. After asking Kevin Webster
Kevin Webster
Kevin John Webster is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Michael Le Vell, the character first appeared onscreen on 19 October 1983...
(Michael Le Vell
Michael Le Vell
Michael Le Vell is an English character actor, who since 1983 has played the role of garage mechanic, Kevin Webster, in the soap opera Coronation Street....
), who has just won the lottery, for some money, to which he refuses, Jim has no other options, so decides to rob a bank. He goes into the bank, and pulls out a gun to the receptionist, and she gets the money, but unbeknown to him, while she is doing so, she hits the panic button, which automatically alerts police something is wrong. He holds the entire bank hostage after being hit over the head with a chair. As the police arrive, Jim tells the policeman over the phone to get Liz to come down, to which they agree. After much talking, Liz manages to convince Jim to let the hostages go, and to come out. Jim comes out of the bank after letting the people go, and is arrested. He shouts 'Elizabeth, I'm sorry!' to Liz as he is handcuffed in a police car. The following day Liz visits Jim and tells him she"ll be there when he comes out, she then leaves for Spain. Steve visits Jim to inform him Liz has left but will attend the trial with him. Steve visit Jim in custody and tells him that Liz has gone back to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
to live with Andy. In October, Jim is sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
Reception
In 2011, Jaci Stephen, writing for the Daily MailDaily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
, said it was an "easy week for the scriptwriters" having Jim back. In explaining this she stated that his "irritating habit of calling everyone by their full names – Steven, Elizabeth, Rebecca – and finishing off every sentence with a ‘so there is’, ‘so I did’, ‘so you are’, et al, meant there were far fewer sentences to write."