Charlie Lawson, the actor who famously portrayed Jim McDonald on Coronation Street, has made a strong and critical assessment of the soap’s current trajectory. 

In a recent appearance on The Nolan Show, Lawson shared his belief that the iconic ITV series may not survive another decade due to its shift in focus and declining viewership.

During his time on the show in the 1990s, Lawson was part of a golden era for Coronation Street, a time when the soap was known for its compelling, character-driven storylines. 

However, the actor now feels the show has lost much of that character focus, having shifted towards what he describes as an “issue-driven” approach. 

This transition, according to Lawson, has altered the essence of the program, making it less engaging and more politically charged.

“I don’t watch it anymore,” Lawson admitted, reflecting on how Coronation Street has evolved. “It’s a different animal now. 

It’s issue-driven now as opposed to when I was there in the 90s, it was character-driven.” He went on to express dissatisfaction with what he sees as a growing focus on topics like political correctness and “wokery,” which he feels detracts from the rich character development that made the show so popular in the past. While Lawson acknowledges that certain issues need to be addressed on screen, he believes the shift in emphasis has fundamentally changed the show.

Lawson’s disillusionment with the current direction of Coronation Street extends beyond its content. He raised concerns about the soap’s future viability, especially in light of falling ratings and advertising revenue. “I don’t think Corrie will be around in 10 years’ time. I don’t think it’s going to be having a 94th birthday because television is fundamentally different,” he stated, echoing a sentiment of pessimism regarding the long-term future of British soaps. Lawson also pointed to other long-running soaps, including EastEnders and Emmerdale, as being in a similar position, with the actor speculating that they, too, could eventually be phased out.

He elaborated on his concerns by referencing the dramatic decline in viewership. In the heyday of Coronation Street, the show regularly attracted audiences of 15 to 21 million viewers, but those numbers have significantly dwindled. “People dip in and out now,” he remarked. “If the income is falling from advertising revenue, they are not going to hang around, are they?”

Aside from the show’s creative and financial challenges, Lawson also expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment of actors, particularly young cast members, in the UK. He criticized the pay disparity between British actors and their counterparts in other countries, noting that UK performers are often paid far less than actors in Europe, Canada, or the United States. “If you go to do theatre or TV anywhere else in Europe or America or Canada, as I have – we are on half the money that we work over here,” he stated, highlighting the global pay gap.

Lawson’s comments underscore a broader issue he sees within the industry, where British actors often receive lower wages compared to their peers across the pond. He recalled his experiences working in Canada, where the starting salary negotiations for actors were about £300 a week higher than in the UK. “Actors in this country have been treated poorly for years,” he said, noting that the lack of financial reward for young performers is a longstanding problem. He also pointed out the difference in opportunities and wealth potential for actors in the U.S., where major shows and films could provide a significantly better standard of living.

“If you were doing a show like Coronation Street in America, then you would be buying your own vineyard,” Lawson said, lamenting the disparity in earnings between British and international actors. His frustration with the industry’s treatment of its actors, especially newcomers, adds another layer to his criticism of Coronation Street’s current state.

Despite his critical stance, Lawson’s remarks provide a thoughtful reflection on the challenges faced by British soaps and the broader entertainment industry. His comments about the shift from character-driven to issue-driven content, combined with the struggles over ratings and actor compensation, paint a picture of an industry in flux. As Coronation Street moves forward, it will be interesting to see how these issues evolve and whether Lawson’s predictions about the future of the show come to pass.

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