Soap icon Beverley Callard has officially traded the Rovers Return for Carrigstown.
Opening up about her new role as Lily Patterson and her decision to relocate to Ireland. After 32 years, best known to millions as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, Beverley admits that joining a new soap in a new country brings a unique set of nerves.
Lily arrives in Carrigstown with a complicated history involving her daughter, Gwen (played by Emily Lamey). The two really clash due to a past filled with a massive amount of lies.
Beverley departed Coronation Street in 2020, feeling that her character had reached a natural conclusion. While she remains totally loyal to her time on the cobbles, she was ready for a whole new chapter. “I just felt that Liz, the character I played, had sort of come to an end,” she confesses.
‘I watched it episode after episode, week after week, month after month, and I just thought I can’t say no to this. I love the way it’s about people’s lives, and I just thought it’s a proper kitchen sink drama. It reminds me of Coronation Street a long time ago, and that is a compliment.’
Asked how Lily compares to Liz, Beverley revealed: ‘She’s certainly not shy and retiring. She’s quite forceful. She’s very independent.’
Her new character, Lily, is a beautician who has spent years working on cruise ships. Unlike Liz McDonald’s famous mini-skirts, Lily’s wardrobe will be entirely different.
‘She’s very feisty, she doesn’t take any prisoners, she’s vulnerable as well but people don’t know it at that point’
The move to Ireland is more than just a temporary work trip. Beverley revealed that she and her husband, Jon McEwan, have found a house and are officially relocating to Dublin.
‘I’m honored to be in Fair City; I am going to give it my utmost, and I hope everybody likes Lily.’
With Lily Patterson only just finding her feet in Carrigstown, it seems one thing is certain, Beverley Callard is only getting started.
Fair City airs RTÉ One on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with episodes available on RTÉ Player – Check local listings for air times. For those without access to RTE One you can still view Fair Cirty on RTE Player.