Christine Mackie is in a very different role! (Picture: HER Productions)
Coronation Street fans recognise her as kindly and patient Weatherfield GP Dr Gaddas, who is always on hand to dish out health news and advice to the locals.
But they are less likely to recognise the actress behind her, Christine Mackie, in her new stage role at Hope Mill Theatre.
The acclaimed production of Lear, already winning rave reviews, is a re-imagining of the Shakespeare classic with a ‘female twist.’
It marks the company Unseemly Women’s fourth annual Shakespeare; bringing their version of the iconic ageing monarch, who, before dividing up their vast kingdom between their daughters, asks them to prove which loves them best.
The star, taking on the main character, enthused: ‘I was astonished to be asked to play Lear but I’m so excited about it.’
As Dr Gaddas, Christine is a semi-regular, most recently seen looking over Roy Cropper (David Neilson) after he suffered chest pains.
Dr Gaddas has been the COrrie GP since 2014, and was also caught up in the issues of colleague Ali Neeson (Picture: ITV)
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She is also involved in the long-running and tragic arc which has seen Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Susan Gaddas made her debut in 2014, In August 2014, seeing to Max Turner when he was brought in by his parents David and Kylie Platt after his behaviour underwent a sudden deterioration.
Not much has changed, as the same character, now played by Paddy Bever, has just returned from a behavioural unit after being convicted on extremism charges.
Having starred in over 80 episodes, the practitioner has also featured in major storylines, including the depression of Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).
She was there to offer reassurance to Mary Taylor (Patti Clare) when she found a lump in her breast, while also dealing with Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew) as he faked symptoms as part of his campaign of coercive abuse against Yasmeen Nazir (Shelley King).
Christine brings the sass to Shakespeare (Picture: HER Productions)
There was also drama at the medical centre itself when Dr Gaddas identified a diazepam addiction in colleague Ali Neeson.
The GP may be her most notable Corrie role, but Christine has previously walked the cobbles as three other characters.
Sticking to the medical theme, she played a nurse who treated Rita when she was admitted to hospital in 1989.
She played Bella in May 2010, the dancing instructor at salsa lessons attended by Hayley Cropper and Anna Windass.
She is also listed on her IMDB page as playing a brief character called Chris Jones for a few episodes in 1992.
Four Corrie parts and King Lear?
Very versatile indeed!
You can book tickets for Lear at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester here.
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You might not recognise her!
