Lewis Archer
Encyclopedia
Lewis Archer is a fictional character from the British soap opera
Coronation Street
, played by Nigel Havers
. He made his first on-screen appearance on 18 December 2009. Lewis is a male escort hired by Audrey Roberts
, after she sees him accompanying her rival, Claudia Colby, to a Christmas party. Audrey begins to fall for Lewis and is upset when her friend, Rita Sullivan, uses his service. Lewis eventually tells Audrey that he has feelings for her and they begin to date. However, Lewis reveals a different side to his character and he scams Peter Barlow
's bookies out of four thousand pounds. Lewis flees Weatherfield and makes his final appearance on 13 August 2010. In September 2011, it was announced Havers would be reprising his role as Lewis and he will return to Coronation Street in 2012.
had joined Coronation Street as a new love interest for Audrey Roberts
(Sue Nicholls
). Havers was to make a one-off appearance in December, before continuing in the role in 2010. On his decision to join Coronation Street, Havers said "I couldn't say no [to Corrie]. Lewis is a fascinating character and he's got a really interesting story arc. Besides, it's always been an ambition of mine to be [on the show]. It's so well written and has such a unique take on life". In March 2010, Havers said that he was keen to renew his contract, as he was enjoying his time with the soap.
In February 2011, Havers revealed on Loose Women
that he had had talks with producers about a return to the show. Of reprising his role as Lewis, he said "I absolutely adore it and I've got to go and say sorry to Sue [Nicholls] - to Audrey." Seven months later, ITV announced Havers would be returning to Coronation Street as Lewis in 2012.
) to the Weatherfield Traders' Association Christmas lunch and he meets Audrey. Claudia tells Audrey that Lewis is an escort, which shocks her. However, Audrey decides to hire him to escort her to the Stylists' Dinner a few weeks later. Audrey calls Lewis again and invites him to have dinner with her, but she gets cold feet and pretends to be ill when he arrives. Lewis sits with Audrey as she shares her memories of her late husband, before they leave for dinner.
Audrey and Lewis visit the Rovers Return Inn and pretend that they have not met before. Norris Cole
(Malcolm Hebden
) recognises Lewis and jumps to the conclusion that Lewis and Audrey are having an affair. Norris later spots Audrey showing Lewis out of her salon and he captures their kiss on his camera phone.
Rita Sullivan
(Barbara Knox
) calls Lewis after seeing his advert in a magazine, and they attend the theatre together. Lewis charms Rita and she books him again for the Chamber of Commerce Easter Dinner Dance. Lewis then lies to Audrey about his availability. Lewis is surprised to encounter Audrey and Claudia, he is also surprised that Audrey knows Rita. Rita's interest in Lewis makes Audrey jealous and she and Rita begin fighting, until Lewis steps in. On a visit to Audrey's salon, Lewis leaves his notebook, which contains his thoughts on his clients, behind. When he goes to retrieve it, he finds that Audrey has read it. Lewis surprises Audrey with a kiss and tells her he has real feelings for her. They then begin dating. Lewis continues with his escort work, but after noticing that Audrey is not happy by his escort work, Lewis quits. He tells Audrey that he was beginning to feel too old for the job.
As their relationship becomes more serious, Audrey considers moving away from Weatherfield with Lewis to start a new business venture in Greece. Lewis spots an opportunity to con Audrey out of a £100,000 loan she secures. Lewis also decides to scam the bookies as he needs the money. He manages to place fake betting slips behind employee Deirdre Barlow
's (Anne Kirkbride
) back and in an effort to distract Deirdre from his deception he kisses her. He later returns to the bookies to claim his winnings.
On the day that Lewis and Audrey are due to fly to Greece, Peter Barlow
(Chris Gascoyne) discovers Lewis's con. He looks at the CCTV and sees Lewis sneaking behind the desk to place the betting slips, as well as his kiss with Deirdre. Audrey is devastated by Lewis's betrayal, but she finds out that he did not take the £100,000 loan. When Audrey gets home she discovers a photograph of her and Lewis with the words "I tried" written on the back. Lewis waits in the airport for a flight to Barbados and he encounters Lydia Radcliffe (Lysette Anthony
). He introduces himself and suggests that they should sit together on the flight as Lydia is scared of flying.
said "As love rat scumbags go, Lewis Archer is up there with that chap who tried to push Rita under a tram in Blackpool. Havers' turn in the soap proved popular with female viewers. The actor told entertainment website, Digital Spy
, that he had been sent sackfuls of fan mail and underwear. In November 2011, Jon Horsley of Yahoo!
said viewers should be excited about Lewis' return to Coronation Street. Horsely added "It'll be great to see the old smoothy back on the cobbles. We're really looking forward to Audrey's reaction to him, too."
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...
, played by Nigel Havers
Nigel Havers
Nigel Allan Havers is an English actor. He is probably best known for his BAFTA-nominated role as Lord Andrew Lindsay in the 1981 British film Chariots of Fire, and for his role as Dr. Tom Latimer in the British TV comedy series Don't Wait Up...
. He made his first on-screen appearance on 18 December 2009. Lewis is a male escort hired by Audrey Roberts
Audrey Roberts
Audrey Roberts is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Sue Nicholls, the character first appeared during the episode aired on 16 April 1979....
, after she sees him accompanying her rival, Claudia Colby, to a Christmas party. Audrey begins to fall for Lewis and is upset when her friend, Rita Sullivan, uses his service. Lewis eventually tells Audrey that he has feelings for her and they begin to date. However, Lewis reveals a different side to his character and he scams Peter Barlow
Peter Barlow (Coronation Street)
Peter Francis Barlow is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode aired on 15 April 1965...
's bookies out of four thousand pounds. Lewis flees Weatherfield and makes his final appearance on 13 August 2010. In September 2011, it was announced Havers would be reprising his role as Lewis and he will return to Coronation Street in 2012.
Character creation and casting
In October 2009, it was announced that British veteran actor, Nigel HaversNigel Havers
Nigel Allan Havers is an English actor. He is probably best known for his BAFTA-nominated role as Lord Andrew Lindsay in the 1981 British film Chariots of Fire, and for his role as Dr. Tom Latimer in the British TV comedy series Don't Wait Up...
had joined Coronation Street as a new love interest for Audrey Roberts
Audrey Roberts
Audrey Roberts is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Sue Nicholls, the character first appeared during the episode aired on 16 April 1979....
(Sue Nicholls
Sue Nicholls
Susan Frances Harmar Nicholls is an English actress, best known today for her long-running role as Audrey Roberts in British soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
). Havers was to make a one-off appearance in December, before continuing in the role in 2010. On his decision to join Coronation Street, Havers said "I couldn't say no [to Corrie]. Lewis is a fascinating character and he's got a really interesting story arc. Besides, it's always been an ambition of mine to be [on the show]. It's so well written and has such a unique take on life". In March 2010, Havers said that he was keen to renew his contract, as he was enjoying his time with the soap.
In February 2011, Havers revealed on Loose Women
Loose Women
Loose Women is a British lunchtime television programme, first broadcast in 1999 on ITV. It consists of a panel of four women who interview celebrities and discuss topical issues, ranging from daily politics and current affairs, to celebrity gossip...
that he had had talks with producers about a return to the show. Of reprising his role as Lewis, he said "I absolutely adore it and I've got to go and say sorry to Sue [Nicholls] - to Audrey." Seven months later, ITV announced Havers would be returning to Coronation Street as Lewis in 2012.
Storylines
Lewis accompanies Claudia Colby (Rula LenskaRula Lenska
Rula Lenska is an English actress. Best known for her work in the United Kingdom, she is remembered in the United States for a television advert that presented her as a celebrity, even though she was not widely known in the US at the time the advert was produced.She has appeared extensively on...
) to the Weatherfield Traders' Association Christmas lunch and he meets Audrey. Claudia tells Audrey that Lewis is an escort, which shocks her. However, Audrey decides to hire him to escort her to the Stylists' Dinner a few weeks later. Audrey calls Lewis again and invites him to have dinner with her, but she gets cold feet and pretends to be ill when he arrives. Lewis sits with Audrey as she shares her memories of her late husband, before they leave for dinner.
Audrey and Lewis visit the Rovers Return Inn and pretend that they have not met before. Norris Cole
Norris Cole
Norris Benjamin Cole is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Malcolm Hebden, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 11 March 1994 and remained until his departure on 14 April 1997, only to return on 1 December...
(Malcolm Hebden
Malcolm Hebden
Malcolm Hebden is an English television and stage actor best known for his role as Norris Cole in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
) recognises Lewis and jumps to the conclusion that Lewis and Audrey are having an affair. Norris later spots Audrey showing Lewis out of her salon and he captures their kiss on his camera phone.
Rita Sullivan
Rita Sullivan
Rita Sullivan is a long-standing character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
(Barbara Knox
Barbara Knox
Barbara Knox, MBE , is an English actress, best known for playing Rita Sullivan in the television soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:Knox was born in Oldham, Lancashire...
) calls Lewis after seeing his advert in a magazine, and they attend the theatre together. Lewis charms Rita and she books him again for the Chamber of Commerce Easter Dinner Dance. Lewis then lies to Audrey about his availability. Lewis is surprised to encounter Audrey and Claudia, he is also surprised that Audrey knows Rita. Rita's interest in Lewis makes Audrey jealous and she and Rita begin fighting, until Lewis steps in. On a visit to Audrey's salon, Lewis leaves his notebook, which contains his thoughts on his clients, behind. When he goes to retrieve it, he finds that Audrey has read it. Lewis surprises Audrey with a kiss and tells her he has real feelings for her. They then begin dating. Lewis continues with his escort work, but after noticing that Audrey is not happy by his escort work, Lewis quits. He tells Audrey that he was beginning to feel too old for the job.
As their relationship becomes more serious, Audrey considers moving away from Weatherfield with Lewis to start a new business venture in Greece. Lewis spots an opportunity to con Audrey out of a £100,000 loan she secures. Lewis also decides to scam the bookies as he needs the money. He manages to place fake betting slips behind employee Deirdre Barlow
Deirdre Barlow
Deirdre Anne Barlow is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV Granada soap opera, Coronation Street...
's (Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride is an English actress, best known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street which she has played for thirty-nine years.-Coronation Street:...
) back and in an effort to distract Deirdre from his deception he kisses her. He later returns to the bookies to claim his winnings.
On the day that Lewis and Audrey are due to fly to Greece, Peter Barlow
Peter Barlow (Coronation Street)
Peter Francis Barlow is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode aired on 15 April 1965...
(Chris Gascoyne) discovers Lewis's con. He looks at the CCTV and sees Lewis sneaking behind the desk to place the betting slips, as well as his kiss with Deirdre. Audrey is devastated by Lewis's betrayal, but she finds out that he did not take the £100,000 loan. When Audrey gets home she discovers a photograph of her and Lewis with the words "I tried" written on the back. Lewis waits in the airport for a flight to Barbados and he encounters Lydia Radcliffe (Lysette Anthony
Lysette Anthony
Lysette Anthony is an English film, television, and theatre actress.-Early life:Anthony was born Lysette Chodzko in Fulham, London, the only daughter of actors Michael Anthony, and Bernadette Milnes....
). He introduces himself and suggests that they should sit together on the flight as Lydia is scared of flying.
Reception
Of the character, Steve Pratt writing for The Northern EchoThe Northern Echo
The Northern Echo is a leading daily regional morning newspaper, serving the North East of England. The paper is based in Priestgate, Darlington. Its covers national as well as regional news. It is one of the UK's most famous provincial newspaper titles....
said "As love rat scumbags go, Lewis Archer is up there with that chap who tried to push Rita under a tram in Blackpool. Havers' turn in the soap proved popular with female viewers. The actor told entertainment website, Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
, that he had been sent sackfuls of fan mail and underwear. In November 2011, Jon Horsley of Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
said viewers should be excited about Lewis' return to Coronation Street. Horsely added "It'll be great to see the old smoothy back on the cobbles. We're really looking forward to Audrey's reaction to him, too."
External links
- Character profile at ITVITVITV 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...