Ian Puleston-Davies is returning to Coronation Street, reprising the role of Owen Armstrong more than a decade after the character last appeared in Weatherfield, according to the BBC. The 67-year-old actor will begin filming the comeback next week, and viewers will see Owen back on screen in January.
The announcement was reported by the BBC on Monday. The character's earlier exit followed the failure of his building business and the end of his relationship with Anna Windass.
Why it matters
Owen's comeback is a notable one for the ITV soap, which has not featured the character for almost 11 years. According to the BBC, the returning builder will move in with his daughter Izzy and his grandson Jake, and will make plain that he holds Anna Windass' son, Gary Windass, responsible for the troubles that have befallen his family.
The return also drew immediate reaction from viewers. Manchester Evening News reported that fans responded to the news by calling for another character to come back, while Metro.co.uk reported that some welcomed the announcement, with one describing it as a decent return at last.
A familiar face back on the cobbles
Puleston-Davies, who is from Flint in Flintshire, said he was looking forward to resuming the part. According to the BBC, he said he could not wait to pick up where he left off a decade ago, described being back as brilliant, and said he was eager to get stuck into a strong storyline. He added that Owen has returned and remains angry.
Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks said she was thrilled to have the actor back. She told the BBC that Owen causes disruption on the street and that his relationship with Gary will be put under serious strain.
Since his previous spell on Coronation Street, Puleston-Davies has appeared in the dramas Pennywell, Tin Star and After The Flood, the BBC reports.
The character's history gives the new storyline its footing. Owen left after his business collapsed and his relationship with Anna Windass broke down, and his return places him back among the same family tensions, this time under the same roof as Izzy and Jake.
What to watch: filming begins next week, with Owen's first scenes scheduled to air in January.
