August 22nd 2024.
In 2013, Julie Hesmondhalgh, known for her role as Hayley Cropper on Coronation Street, decided to leave the soap after 15 years. This news came as a shock to fans who had grown to love her character, especially since she had just married her longtime love, Roy Cropper, in 2010.
During a panel at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Julie revealed that Hayley was not originally meant to be a serious character. In fact, she was introduced as part of a joke storyline. The casting director had informed Julie that Hayley was going to be a trans character, but it wasn't until later that she found out it was just for laughs.
Hayley first appeared on the cobbles in 1998, and her journey on the show was full of ups and downs. In 2013, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and when treatment failed, she made the courageous decision to end her life on her own terms, passing away in Roy's arms in 2014.
Looking back on her time on the show, Julie shared that Hayley was meant to be a punchline in a series of disastrous dates for Roy. The plan was for her to reveal to him that she was trans, causing him to run away in horror. However, the character became so popular that the joke was dropped and Hayley was given a more meaningful storyline.
Julie acknowledged that it would have been difficult for a trans actor to play Hayley's role in 1997, as the media was not yet accepting and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. She is proud to have played a small part in the journey towards acceptance and celebration of trans individuals.
Reflecting on the progress that has been made since her character's debut, Julie admitted that she wouldn't be able to play Hayley's role now as a cis-gender woman. She believes it's important for trans actors to be given the opportunity to tell their own stories and is grateful to have been a part of the changing landscape.
In conclusion, Julie left Coronation Street at the right time, as the world was not yet ready for a cis-gender woman to portray a trans character. She is proud of her contribution to the representation of trans individuals and is excited to see the amazing trans actors who are now able to tell their own stories.
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