"Happy Valley's Sarah Lancashire Reflects on Coronation Street Career and Future"

Lancashire Triumphs at NTAs

Sarah Lancashire was the star of the night at the National Television Awards (NTAs), taking home three awards. Her hit show, Happy Valley, won Best Returning Drama, and Lancashire herself won Best Drama Performance. The actress was also honored with a Special Recognition Award for her impressive four-decade-long career. The award was presented to Lancashire by acting legend Sir Ian McKellen, who moved her to tears.

The Importance of Coronation Street

During her acceptance speech, Lancashire paid tribute to her time on ITV's Coronation Street, where she played the beloved character Raquel Wolstenhulme (later Watts) from 1991 to 1996. She praised the soap as "one of the best training schools in the world," highlighting the extraordinary caliber of people she worked with and the immediate nature of the work.

"I'm very proud of my four years in Coronation Street," Lancashire expressed. "I was terribly lucky to work with extraordinary people."

No Plans for a Return

In an exclusive interview with The Celeb Report, Lancashire revealed that despite her appreciation for Coronation Street, she has no plans to return to the show.

"It's very clear why I would never go back because the show evolves, decade by decade by decade," Lancashire explained. "When people say 'I was in Coronation Street', you think 'well, which one?' They all have a defining quality."

According to Lancashire, the show during her time in the 90s was specific to that era, with a unique voice from brilliant writers. She also acknowledged that her character would now be too old for short skirts.

"So no, but you can walk away from it and leave it because you never really leave the characters because they take up residence in you," Lancashire shared. "A little part of you, benignly there, behaving themselves. You don't fully move on from them. You sort of take them with you, you accumulate them."

The Power of Character Choice

Lancashire concluded by saying, "I always believe characters choose you, not the other way around." This sentiment reflects her deep connection to the roles she takes on, and her gratitude for the opportunities they have brought her throughout her career.