CORONATION Street has quietly recast a star after just a year on screen – with a fourth actor set to take over the role.
The ITV soap is sadly losing child star Carter-J Murphy in the role of Harry Platt, son of Sarah Barlow (Tina O’Brien).
But it’s for a good reason as the actor has landed a huge role in Matilda the Musical.
He could no longer fit in time on the cobbles with the tour so has had to step away from his role of a year.
Speaking to press about the change-up last year, actor Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt, said: “They’ve just recast the lad who plays Harry.
“Carter is very, very confident.”
Now an actor called Josh has taken over the role and will soon be seen on screen in the coming weeks.
Young actor Carter succeeded twins Freddie and Isaac Rhodes as Harry.
The pair had been playing the character from 2017 onwards.
Harry was born in 2016 following Sarah’s fling with baddie Callum Logan (Sean Ward).
Callum was murdered by Kylie Platt (Paula Lane) before Harry’s birth.
The villain’s body was then concealed underneath No.8’s annex.
Harry Platt celebrates his 8th birthday on Coronation Street
Harry’s on-screen cousin Lily Platt was recently also recast.
Young actress Brooke Malonie had been playing the character since June 2016.
Soap characters who’ve been recast
Soap operas are staple viewing for many people, but even some of the most famous characters have been played by different actors. Here are some examples from over the years.
Coronation Street
- Tracy Barlow: Kate Ford took on the role of Corrie legend Tracy Barlow in 2002. Before Kate, three other actresses had played Tracy – most notably Dawn Acton from 1988 to 1999.
- Nick Tilsley: Ben Price has been playing Gail’s oldest child in 2009, but the former Footballers’ Wives star is the third actor to take on the part.
- Sarah Platt: Although Tina O’Brien debuted as Sarah Platt in 1999, she is the third actress who has played the iconic role of Sarah Platt.
- David Platt: Completing the line-up of Gail’s children, David was initially played by Thomas Ormson for a decade before Jack P. Shepherd took over.
- Daniel Osbourne: For almost a decade, the role of Ken Barlow’s son Daniel has been portrayed by actor Rob Mallard. Before Rob joined, two other actors had previously played Daniel.
- Bethany Platt: Fans know Lucy Fallon as Bethany nowadays but before her, three other actresses had stepped into the character’s shoes.
- Kirk Sutherland: Before Andy Whyment took on the role of Kirk, he played by an uncredited actor in his very first appearance.
- Todd Grimshaw: Gareth Pierce stepped into the role of Todd back in 2020, becoming the second performer to play this part.
- Summer Spellman: Harriet Bibby became the second actress to play Summer, taking over the role from Matilda Freeman in 2020.
- Ryan Connor: Ryan Prescott currently plays the long-running character, but Ben Thompson and Sol Heras had earlier portrayed the role.
EastEnders
- Martin Fowler: Although Martin was the first baby born on-screen in EastEnders, he hasn’t always been played by the same person. His current portrayer, James Bye, is the third actor to star as the character.
- Peter Beale: Seven actors have portrayed Ian Beale’s elder son, with the current actor, Thomas Law, in his second stint as the character.
- Ben Mitchell: Ben has been played by a total of six actors – with Max Bowden bowing out of the role in March 2024.
- Bobby Beale: Before Clay Milner Russell, Ian’s younger son had been played by four other actors.
- Freddie Slater: Bobby’s best mate, Freddie Slater, had been previously played by twins Alex and Tom Kilby before Bobby Brazier took over in 2022.
- Chelsea Fox: Former Coronation Street actress Zaraah Abrahams took over the role of Chelsea in 2020. The character had been first played by Tiana Benjamin from 2006 to 2010.
- Lauren Branning: Jacqueline Jossa took on the role of Lauren in 2010, succeeding Madeline Duggan who’d played her from 2006 to 2010.
- Johnny Carter: Johnny has been played by three actors since debuting in 2013 – most recently, Charlie Suff has taken on the role.
However Grace Ashcroft-Gardner has taken over the role of Lily, making her debut last month in a terrifying siege storyline.
Coronation Street has been contacted for comment.