Mary Taylor (Coronation Street)
Encyclopedia
Mary Taylor is a fictional character
in the UK television ITV
soap opera
, Coronation Street
. played by Pattie Clare
, made her first onscreen appearance on 26 November 2008 and departed on 15 May 2009 but returned in March 2010 and has appeared on the show ever since. The character of Mary was originally a guest character who appeared in November 2008, as a love interest for Norris Cole
(Malcolm Hebden
). The character proved popular and was brought back in 2009 for another short stint. She was brought back full time in 2010.
) more often. Norris' fellow lodger, Jed Stone
(Kenneth Cope
), enjoys flirting with her, but Mary only has eyes for Norris. Norris invites her to his home for Christmas. Near the end of January 2009, Mary returns, telling Norris they have won a motor home. Norris is pleased, but begins to be concerned about how far she wants to take their relationship. On 13 February 2009, in the Rovers, they say an awkward goodbye to each other, Mary is expecting a kiss or a hug from Norris, but gets nothing, leaving her devastated.
In March 2009, she returns and she asks Norris if he would like to go traveling, this leaves his friends Emily
(Eileen Derbyshire
) and Rita
(Barbara Knox
) unsure how they'd feel if he left. In April 2009, Mary tells Norris that her mother has died but she admits that she feels a sense of relief as she had been a very domineering woman. On 15 May 2009, she and Norris say goodbye, as she sets off to travel around the world. She drives off in the motor-home, but not before promising to keep in touch with Norris via postcards.
Norris begins doing competitions with Emily's niece Freda (Ali Briggs), and they both win £1,000. They get a picture taken before splitting the money and Freda leaves the Street. However, Mary reads it and returns to the Street and surprises Norris. After briefly meeting him, she goes up to Scotland, but returns a few days later. When Norris begins getting tired and needing a break, Mary suggests that she does some work in The Kabin so he can take a break.
Mary enters a competition for them and if they win, they would win a week at a cottage in the countryside. She manages to win it and persuades Norris to attend, which he later agrees to. Norris is delighted when Rita returns to Weatherfield and offers her to work for him again at The Kabin. She also offers to look after it when he goes away with Mary.
One of the nights of which Norris and Mary are at the cottage, she causes Norris to realise that she is trying to ensure that he cannot escape, and he even witnesses Mary mentioning the two of them married; a horrific thought for Norris. Norris becomes even more scared of Mary's antics when he hears her talking to her 'dead' mother who later transpires to be alive and well. Norris then calls the police and Mary is taken to the station for holding Norris captive against his will. However, just when Norris thinks he has evaded Mary, she is released from the police station and returns to Weatherfield to try and make amends with Norris who wants nothing more to do with her.She also has made several attempts to try and talk to Norris since the event but he has refused to listen. On May 10, 2010, she attends Blanche Hunt
's (Maggie Jones
) funeral and also tried to talk to Norris, however, he leaves to go to The Kabin. On 31 May 2010, she turns up at Gail Platt
(Helen Worth
)'s trial for the murder of Joe McIntyre
(Reece Dinsdale
), and sits behind Norris in the court and again tried to talk to him. Mary and Norris quickly begin gossiping about the trial and are present for the duration, much to the annoyance of the Platts and Tina McIntyre
(Michelle Keegan
). On the day of the verdict she bets Norris five pounds that Gail would be found guilty.
She then formed, or forced - as some would say, a friendship of Hayley Cropper
, upon finding out about her forthcoming marriage to Roy Cropper
and offered her assistance with the preparations, but quickly began to hijack the situation - picking very expensive venues and dresses. Hayley tried to tell her to backdown but found it very difficult, much to Roy's annoyance.
On August 30, 2010, Mary was upset for not being invited to Roy and Hayley's wedding. She unbuckles the lock keeping Hayley's carriage on the steam train that they were traveling to the church in. Later, her motorhome was stolen, and she launched her own investigation, believing Gary Windass was responsible. Kylie Turner
turned out to be the one responsible for the theft but the motorhome was returned the following morning to Mary's delight.
concert.
In May 2009, it was reported that Mary had been axed form Coronation Street
due to cost cuts but executives have denied reports that characters have been axed from the show in order to cut back on costs. Corrie producers this afternoon insisted that the departing characters were only ever intended to remain with the show for the duration of their ongoing storylines, which all happen to come to an end within the next few weeks. A show spokesperson said: "The affected actors were all involved in storylines that were due to run for a finite time. If every new character stayed in the show, the Street would be a little crowded to say the least." In September 2009, it was announced Patti Clare was to reprise her role as Mary Taylor. A spokesperson confirmed: "Mary will be back to rekindle her relationship with Norris."
who plays Norris Cole
said in an interview with the soap's official website, the star claimed that his friendship with Clare makes it easier to create chemistry and humourous moments when they film scenes as Norris Cole and Mary Taylor. Hebden commented: "I think when Patti and I get together it's comedy all the way. We love working together which is a good start for comedy. "Oddly enough, you can play a love relationship with someone you hate - I've done it - but comedy you can't do. So I love her to death and it helps with the comedy."
Pattie Clare revealed that she was obsessed with joining the cast of Coronation Street. She said: ""I used to write and write to the casting director asking for a job and he'd write back saying, 'Nothing doing at the moment'," she revealed. "I could really see myself in Corrie and was very persistent." She confessed that she had been so desperate to land a role that she had created a new character and written a scene for her. "So I wrote him a scene making up a character for myself called Cherise, who was to be Raquel's half-sister," she said. "She sat in the bar and didn't say anything and wore glasses and was quite dowdy and then Raquel gives her a make-over. "I thought it was brilliant, but he wrote back and said, 'No, no, no, no, no, it's not going to happen'." "I had a lot of theatre experience, but I'd wanted to go into television for a while. I was told I had to take a gamble for a year and turn theatre work down and sit it out," she explained. "It was terrible. I didn't do any acting for nine months so I worked in an office and the job came in the September."
. She lost out to Tameka Empson
who plays Kim Fox
in EastEnders
in 2011 Patti Clare won Best Comedy Performance at the British Soap Awards
2011.
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 UK 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...
. played by Pattie Clare
Pattie Clare
Patti Clare is an English actress, best known for playing the part of Mary Taylor in ITV drama Coronation Street from 2008. Previous roles included an appearance in Doctor Who and in a spinoff episode of Torchwood.-External links:...
, made her first onscreen appearance on 26 November 2008 and departed on 15 May 2009 but returned in March 2010 and has appeared on the show ever since. The character of Mary was originally a guest character who appeared in November 2008, as a love interest for 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:...
). The character proved popular and was brought back in 2009 for another short stint. She was brought back full time in 2010.
Storylines
In 2008, Mary begins to visit Norris (Malcolm HebdenMalcolm 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:...
) more often. Norris' fellow lodger, Jed Stone
Jed Stone
John Edward "Jed" Stone, played by Kenneth Cope, is a fictional character from the soap opera Coronation Street. He was a lodger of Minnie Caldwell's in the 1960s, and her nickname for him was "Sunny Jim"...
(Kenneth Cope
Kenneth Cope
Kenneth Cope is an English actor. He is most famous for his roles as Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk , Jed Stone in Coronation Street and Ray Hilton in Brookside.- Career :...
), enjoys flirting with her, but Mary only has eyes for Norris. Norris invites her to his home for Christmas. Near the end of January 2009, Mary returns, telling Norris they have won a motor home. Norris is pleased, but begins to be concerned about how far she wants to take their relationship. On 13 February 2009, in the Rovers, they say an awkward goodbye to each other, Mary is expecting a kiss or a hug from Norris, but gets nothing, leaving her devastated.
In March 2009, she returns and she asks Norris if he would like to go traveling, this leaves his friends Emily
Emily Bishop
Emily Bishop is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
(Eileen Derbyshire
Eileen Derbyshire
Eileen Derbyshire, MBE is an English actress, best known for her role as Emily Bishop on the soap opera Coronation Street. She has played the character since 1961, making her the longest-serving female cast member in a British soap opera...
) and Rita
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...
) unsure how they'd feel if he left. In April 2009, Mary tells Norris that her mother has died but she admits that she feels a sense of relief as she had been a very domineering woman. On 15 May 2009, she and Norris say goodbye, as she sets off to travel around the world. She drives off in the motor-home, but not before promising to keep in touch with Norris via postcards.
Norris begins doing competitions with Emily's niece Freda (Ali Briggs), and they both win £1,000. They get a picture taken before splitting the money and Freda leaves the Street. However, Mary reads it and returns to the Street and surprises Norris. After briefly meeting him, she goes up to Scotland, but returns a few days later. When Norris begins getting tired and needing a break, Mary suggests that she does some work in The Kabin so he can take a break.
Mary enters a competition for them and if they win, they would win a week at a cottage in the countryside. She manages to win it and persuades Norris to attend, which he later agrees to. Norris is delighted when Rita returns to Weatherfield and offers her to work for him again at The Kabin. She also offers to look after it when he goes away with Mary.
One of the nights of which Norris and Mary are at the cottage, she causes Norris to realise that she is trying to ensure that he cannot escape, and he even witnesses Mary mentioning the two of them married; a horrific thought for Norris. Norris becomes even more scared of Mary's antics when he hears her talking to her 'dead' mother who later transpires to be alive and well. Norris then calls the police and Mary is taken to the station for holding Norris captive against his will. However, just when Norris thinks he has evaded Mary, she is released from the police station and returns to Weatherfield to try and make amends with Norris who wants nothing more to do with her.She also has made several attempts to try and talk to Norris since the event but he has refused to listen. On May 10, 2010, she attends Blanche Hunt
Blanche Hunt
Blanche Hunt is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She was originally played by Patricia Cutts; however, the actress committed suicide after appearing in just two episodes in 1974. Maggie Jones took over the role, playing Blanche in over 830 episodes between 1974 and...
's (Maggie Jones
Maggie Jones (actress)
Margaret "Maggie" Jones was an English actress, best known for playing Blanche Hunt in the British soap opera Coronation Street, a role which she first portrayed in 1974 and played regularly from the late 1990s until shortly before her death.-Career:Jones graduated from the drama school RADA and...
) funeral and also tried to talk to Norris, however, he leaves to go to The Kabin. On 31 May 2010, she turns up at Gail Platt
Gail Platt
Gail McIntyre is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Helen Worth, the character first appeared on screen on 12 July 1974...
(Helen Worth
Helen Worth
Helen Worth is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of the Coronation Street character Gail McIntyre- Early life :...
)'s trial for the murder of Joe McIntyre
Joe McIntyre (Coronation Street)
Joseph "Joe" McIntyre was a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character was portrayed by actor Reece Dinsdale. Joe was introduced as the father of Tina McIntyre, and made his first appearing onscreen during the episode that aired in the UK on May 26, 2008...
(Reece Dinsdale
Reece Dinsdale
Reece Dinsdale is an English actor of stage, screen and television.-Acting career:He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 1977 until 1980...
), and sits behind Norris in the court and again tried to talk to him. Mary and Norris quickly begin gossiping about the trial and are present for the duration, much to the annoyance of the Platts and Tina McIntyre
Tina McIntyre
Tina McIntyre is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Michelle Keegan, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 7 January 2008...
(Michelle Keegan
Michelle Keegan
Michelle Elizabeth Keegan is an English actress who currently plays Tina McIntyre in the soap opera Coronation Street.-Biography:...
). On the day of the verdict she bets Norris five pounds that Gail would be found guilty.
She then formed, or forced - as some would say, a friendship of Hayley Cropper
Hayley Cropper
Hayley Anne Cropper is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
, upon finding out about her forthcoming marriage to Roy Cropper
Roy Cropper
Royston "Roy" Cropper, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor David Neilson, the character was introduced during the episode airing on 19 July 1995. Originally a secondary character, he was given a more prominent role in 1997, by the...
and offered her assistance with the preparations, but quickly began to hijack the situation - picking very expensive venues and dresses. Hayley tried to tell her to backdown but found it very difficult, much to Roy's annoyance.
On August 30, 2010, Mary was upset for not being invited to Roy and Hayley's wedding. She unbuckles the lock keeping Hayley's carriage on the steam train that they were traveling to the church in. Later, her motorhome was stolen, and she launched her own investigation, believing Gary Windass was responsible. Kylie Turner
Kylie Turner
Kylie was initially described as having a "full on" personality, similar to Becky. She was also labelled a "firecracker". Lane described her as a "messed up girl, dragged up by an alcoholic mother". In her life she had to "fight for survival". Lane has also expressed her admiration of Kylie's...
turned out to be the one responsible for the theft but the motorhome was returned the following morning to Mary's delight.
Casting
The character was introduced for a specific storyline as both herself and Norris have an obsession with entering competitions. Mary lives with and takes care of her disabled mother and uses the competitions as a way to enjoy life. Norris initially resents Mary, as she often beats him in competitions, but when they meet, they quickly become close, and Mary offers Norris one of the tickets she has won for a Cliff RichardCliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
concert.
In May 2009, it was reported that Mary had been axed form 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...
due to cost cuts but executives have denied reports that characters have been axed from the show in order to cut back on costs. Corrie producers this afternoon insisted that the departing characters were only ever intended to remain with the show for the duration of their ongoing storylines, which all happen to come to an end within the next few weeks. A show spokesperson said: "The affected actors were all involved in storylines that were due to run for a finite time. If every new character stayed in the show, the Street would be a little crowded to say the least." In September 2009, it was announced Patti Clare was to reprise her role as Mary Taylor. A spokesperson confirmed: "Mary will be back to rekindle her relationship with Norris."
Storyline development
Malcolm HebdenMalcolm 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:...
who plays 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...
said in an interview with the soap's official website, the star claimed that his friendship with Clare makes it easier to create chemistry and humourous moments when they film scenes as Norris Cole and Mary Taylor. Hebden commented: "I think when Patti and I get together it's comedy all the way. We love working together which is a good start for comedy. "Oddly enough, you can play a love relationship with someone you hate - I've done it - but comedy you can't do. So I love her to death and it helps with the comedy."
Pattie Clare revealed that she was obsessed with joining the cast of Coronation Street. She said: ""I used to write and write to the casting director asking for a job and he'd write back saying, 'Nothing doing at the moment'," she revealed. "I could really see myself in Corrie and was very persistent." She confessed that she had been so desperate to land a role that she had created a new character and written a scene for her. "So I wrote him a scene making up a character for myself called Cherise, who was to be Raquel's half-sister," she said. "She sat in the bar and didn't say anything and wore glasses and was quite dowdy and then Raquel gives her a make-over. "I thought it was brilliant, but he wrote back and said, 'No, no, no, no, no, it's not going to happen'." "I had a lot of theatre experience, but I'd wanted to go into television for a while. I was told I had to take a gamble for a year and turn theatre work down and sit it out," she explained. "It was terrible. I didn't do any acting for nine months so I worked in an office and the job came in the September."
Reception
Patti Clare was nominated for funniest performance at the 2010 and 2011 Inside Soap AwardsInside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
. She lost out to Tameka Empson
Tameka Empson
Tameka Empson is a British actress and comedienne who is perhaps best known for being one of the three protagonists in the hidden-camera comedy sketch show 3 Non Blondes.Tameka also featured in a episode of MI High : Red Button Rampage, Series one...
who plays Kim Fox
Kim Fox
Kimberley Harmony Angelica "Kim" Fox is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Tameka Empson. She is the half-sister of Denise Fox , and aunt to Chelsea Fox and Libby Fox...
in EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
in 2011 Patti Clare won Best Comedy Performance at the British Soap Awards
British Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to...
2011.