Alexandra Mardell
“Emma just feels completely alone…”
She’s only been a Street resident for a year and a half, but Emma Brooker’s natural charisma and madcap dizziness has made her a firm favourite with the show’s audience already. So, it was very pleasant – if rather surprising – news to find out that she was joining one of the soap’s premier families: the Mcdonalds. This week, Steve gets confirmation that Emma is his biological daughter, opening up a can of worms that’ll change both of their lives. And, for
star Alexandra Mardell – who plays Emma – it’s a game-changer too…
“This was sprung on me quite recently, but I’m absolutely chuffed!” grins the star, who made her Corrie debut in April 2018. “Did I know this was the plan? No, not at all. Becoming a Mcdonald has been a real shock for me! It’s great to be tied into one of the biggest families on the Street. I’m so grateful.”
It’s also a surprise for Steve, who had no idea there was even a possibility he was Emma’s biological father! Emma’s mum, Fiona Middleton, hasn’t been seen in Weatherfield since 1998, so Steve has barely thought about her in years. But Alexandra is a huge fan of Fiona – and her real-life alter ego, Angela Griffin.
“Angela has been an idol of mine all my life,” enthuses the actress. “She’s someone I’ve always looked up to. Even before this storyline came up, I’d always wanted to be able to work with Angela, and everyone tells me she’s completely lovely. But I do feel a bit nervous, because I loved her in Cutting It, Brief
Encounters and One Man, Two Guvnors in the West End. I’m a proper stalker! Angela and I have been messaging, though, which has been nice.
“I was five years old when Steve and Fiona were a couple,” adds Alexandra. “I’ve seen clips of them together recently, but I was too young at the time. Fiona was a brilliant character. And she lived in the f lat above the salon, and worked in the salon – which is exactly what Emma is doing now. I love that!”
While it remains to be seen if Fiona will ever head back to Weatherfield (see box over the page), Alexandra has been starting to develop closer relationships with her new family, Simon Gregson (Steve) and Beverley Callard (Liz).
“When Simon found out, he walked up to me and said, ‘Hello daughter!’” chuckles Alexandra. “Now we just walk around saying, ‘Hey, daughter’, ‘Hey, dad’. Some of the scenes we’ve filmed together have been so emotional, but Simon is so funny that my biggest challenge is trying not to laugh at him!”
Things won’t run quite so smoothly for Steve and Emma on screen, though. Steve sneakily takes a strand of Emma’s hair, to get what he needs for a conclusive DNA test, then springs the truth on his daughter at her other dad’s funeral!
“Steve’s been sneaky by taking her for lunch and then pulling her hair out!” explains Alexandra. “She thought it was all innocent, because Steve has been so generous and kind to her while she’s having such a hard time. There could have been a potential of a father/ daughter relationship there, but Steve’s gone about it the wrong way, and
Emma just feels completely alone.
He’s really broken her trust.”
The fallout is set to be huge, not least because Tracy and Amy are also about to find out that Emma is part of their family. It all gets too much for Emma, who decides to pack up and leave the Street for good. Can anybody stop her?
“Emma’s had enough,” admits Alexandra. “She doesn’t have a good relationship with her mum, so all the close bonds she’s made in the Street were really important to her. With Steve, the trust has gone and Emma thinks, ‘I’ve had enough, I need to get out of here!’ She needs someone to show her that there are more reasons for her to stay.”
We’re willing to bet that Emma can be convinced to stick around, and Alexandra is hoping that this isn’t the end of her Weatherfield journey.
“I’m here for a good few months, but I’m happy to stay for as long as they’ll have me, so fingers crossed!” grins the star. “The reaction from the public has been huge. People come up to me and say, ‘We love your character’ or ‘You’re that funny girl off Corrie!’ Everyone has been so supportive. I was surprised by how instant it is when people recognise you. It’s always nice to stop for a chat!”