ITV's biggest soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, are officially colliding in an unmissable special, launching a whole new era of drama. Here's everything you need to know about the hotly anticipated Corriedale!
TL;DR:
- Coronation Street and Emmerdale are crossing over in a special episode called Corriedale, set to air in January 2026.
- Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) and Vicky Myers (Lisa Swain) are the first confirmed stars, with more beloved characters expected to join the action.
- Prepare for massive drama, including a character death, as this epic crossover kicks off ITV's new 'power hour' soap schedule.
Alright, soap aficionados, brace yourselves! We've got official confirmation and some seriously juicy details about the crossover event that's got everyone buzzing: Corriedale. This isn't just a fleeting cameo; it's a full-blown, hour-long special where the beloved residents of Weatherfield and Emmerdale village are set to collide in an unprecedented television event. Imagine your favourite characters from both shows sharing the same screen, facing intertwined destinies and, by the sounds of it, some seriously life-altering drama.
This "history-making episode," as actor Vicky Myers calls it, is more than just a ratings stunt. It's designed to be a monumental moment for ITV, especially as Coronation Street approaches its 65th anniversary year during filming. It promises to deliver a unique blend of what makes both soaps so special, wrapped up in a "massive, unmissable piece of telly," according to Corrie producer Kate Brooks. Basically, it’s going to be "epic," and as Danny Miller perfectly puts it, "every soap fan's dream."
Meet the First Confirmed Stars Bringing the Soaps Together
While we're all dreaming of who else might pop up, ITV has already given us a sneak peek at the first two big names making the jump to the other side, and filming has officially begun! From the rolling dales of Emmerdale, we have the fan-favourite Aaron Dingle, played by the brilliant Danny Miller. And representing the cobbled streets of Coronation Street, it's the formidable Lisa Swain, brought to life by Vicky Myers. These two are already on set, getting stuck into what promises to be an unforgettable storyline.
Their excitement is palpable, and frankly, contagious! Vicky Myers teased that when she read the script, she was blown away by "how two worlds collide, who is involved and how the characters interact, not to mention the impact the events of the night will have… Wow. It’s going to be unmissable." She couldn't wait to get started, praising the "talented team behind the scenes at Coronation Street and Emmerdale" for tirelessly making this happen. "It’s incredibly exciting and the camaraderie is great. It’s going to be epic," she shared.
Danny Miller, a Manchester native himself, expressed his deep connection to both shows. "I am made up that Aaron is in the Corriedale episode. Originally from Manchester, Coronation Street has always been an iconic show in our house just as much as Emmerdale. So to cross them both over is a great idea," he said. He even mentioned the "night shoots have been full on with having young kids but a lot of fun." It sounds like a lot of hard work, but also a lot of passion going into this special episode!
Prepare for the Worst: Major Drama and a Character Death Are Guaranteed
Now, for the really intense part. If you're a long-time soap fan, you know that big events often come with big consequences. And this crossover is no exception. Soap boss Iain MacLeod has made it clear: "The soap gods demand a sacrifice when you have an event of this kind." Yes, you read that right – someone won't make it out of Corriedale alive. MacLeod hinted that "sometimes the biggest and best exits are for characters that you care the most about," promising a "shocking" episode filled with "lots of trauma, lots of drama and lots of twists."
Tina O'Brien, who plays Sarah Platt on Corrie, also chimed in, teasing that there "may be some bad things" for the characters involved and that it's "really exciting." Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price from Coronation Street) echoed the sentiment, stating the crossover is "on another level" and that fans will be "blown away." It sounds like the writers have been locked in some serious debates over who will meet their maker, with MacLeod admitting that "story conferences are fiery places at times" when discussing such a huge responsibility.
"The soap gods demand a sacrifice when you have an event of this kind. Sometimes the biggest and best exits are for characters that you care the most about. It's going to be shocking. There will be lots of trauma, lots of drama and lots of twists."
— Iain MacLeod, Soap BossUnraveling the Mystery: Teased Storylines for Our Crossover Stars
So, what kind of trouble are Aaron and Lisa going to get into, and how will their worlds truly intertwine? The articles have given us some intriguing breadcrumbs!
Aaron Dingle's Rollercoaster Ride Continues
Poor Aaron Dingle just can't catch a break, can he? He's been through the wringer recently, dealing with the fallout from his killer husband John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth). And just when things started to look up, his ex-hubby Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) returned, only to move on with prison pal Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill). It's a lot for anyone to handle! The crucial detail here? A wanted poster for John Sugden was recently spotted in the background of a scene at Weatherfield Police Station. This is huge! It suggests John, the fugitive killer from Emmerdale, might be making a dramatic appearance or at least influencing events in Corriedale.
Lisa Swain's Complicated Love Life and a New Case?
Meanwhile, over on the cobbles, Lisa Swain’s life has been anything but quiet. Her presumed dead wife Becky (Amy Cudden) dramatically returned after four years in witness protection in Spain. And if that wasn't complicated enough, Becky's trying to worm her way back into Lisa's life, despite Lisa being engaged to the formidable Carla Connor (Alison King)! Becky has even shown a "more sinister side," making her a character to definitely watch out for. With Lisa's background, it's been teased that she might just "pick up the case of missing John Sugden." Talk about worlds colliding! Could Lisa be investigating an Emmerdale villain? And how will Becky and Carla react to all this?
The question on everyone's lips is: "What leads Lisa and Aaron to find their lives intertwined on a dark and foreboding night in January? Which other beloved characters from both shows will join the action-packed episodes?" The anticipation is killing us, in the best possible way!
The Bigger Picture: Kicking Off ITV's New 'Power Hour' Schedule
This massive crossover isn't just a standalone event; it's a strategic move by ITV to shake up its evening schedule and give soap fans even more to love! The Corriedale episode will serve as the grand launch of ITV's brand-new "power hour" for its two biggest soaps. What does that mean for your viewing habits?
Starting after the crossover airs in the new year, both Emmerdale and Coronation Street will switch to airing five nights a week. But here's the exciting part: they'll each get a dedicated 30-minute slot, back-to-back, starting at 8:00 PM for Emmerdale, followed by Coronation Street at 8:30 PM. This means consistent, daily drama for five nights, making it easier than ever to catch up with your favourite residents and their ongoing sagas. It's a big change from the current mixed schedule (Corrie currently airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8pm; Emmerdale weeknights at 7:30pm), and this hour-long Corriedale special is the perfect explosive start to this new era.
When and Where You Can Catch All the Corriedale Action
Mark your calendars, because the Corriedale crossover episode is officially expected to air in January 2026! While a specific date hasn't been locked down yet, knowing the month gives us plenty of time to get hyped.
Once it airs, you'll be able to watch this monumental event, and the subsequent new 'power hour' episodes, on ITV1. And for all you streamers out there who like to watch on your own terms, don't worry – it'll also be available to stream on ITVX, so you won't miss a single dramatic moment.
Before the big change, remember that Coronation Street currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX. Emmerdale currently airs on weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX. So make sure you're caught up with all the ongoing storylines before the ultimate soap mash-up hits your screens!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Emmerdale and Coronation Street Crossover When is the Corriedale crossover episode airing? The special Corriedale crossover episode is expected to air in January 2026, kicking off ITV's new soap schedule for the new year. Which characters are confirmed for the Corriedale episode? The first confirmed characters are Aaron Dingle (played by Danny Miller) from Emmerdale and Lisa Swain (played by Vicky Myers) from Coronation Street. More characters are teased to be involved, including Becky Swain, John Sugden, Robert Sugden, and Kev Townsend. What is the new "power hour" ITV soap schedule? After the Corriedale crossover, Emmerdale and Coronation Street will both air five nights a week. Emmerdale will be on at 8:00 PM for 30 minutes, followed immediately by Coronation Street at 8:30 PM for 30 minutes, creating a full hour of back-to-back soap drama. Will a character die in the Corriedale crossover? Yes, soap boss Iain MacLeod has confirmed that "the soap gods demand a sacrifice" for an event of this magnitude, meaning at least one character will tragically die in the crossover episode. Sources- ITV Official Announcements and Cast/Producer Interviews (as reported by various news outlets)