A former Coronation Street star has revealed a completely new look years after leaving the cobbles.
A former Coronation Street star looks completely unrecognisable six years after last appearing on the ITV soap.
Summer Spellman first arrived on the cobbles in 2017, originally played by Matilda Freeman. As the adopted daughter of Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) and Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce), the character was quickly drawn into a number of major storylines.
In 2020, Matilda stepped away from the show and the role of Summer was recast, with Harriet Bibby taking over. More recently, Summer has faced a heartbreaking period on screen following Billy’s death, according to the Mirror.
The much-loved vicar died during the dramatic Corriedale episode earlier this month, and in Wednesday’s episode (January 28), a grief-stricken Summer attended Billy’s funeral. But what happened to the original actress behind the role, and what has she been up to since leaving Weatherfield?
Matilda’s time on Coronation Street
Matilda joined Coronation Street in 2017 when she was cast as Summer Spellman. Speaking about landing the role at the time, she said it was an exciting opportunity. Although she hadn’t watched the soap before, she understood how important it was to so many people. She added that her nan was a big fan, as were some of her school friends, and she was delighted to share the news with them.
In 2020, Matilda decided to step away from the ITV soap after appearing in 147 episodes. Announcing her exit, she thanked what she described as her “second family,” including the cast, crew and loyal viewers who supported her throughout her time in Weatherfield. She explained that after three and a half happy years, she felt ready for a new challenge and was looking forward to beginning the next chapter of her career with a fresh role.
Why did she leave Corrie?
A year after leaving Coronation Street, Matilda opened up about her decision during an Instagram Q&A in 2021. She admitted that working on the soap could feel quite restrictive. When asked by a fan why she chose to leave, she explained that she wanted the freedom to take on other television shows, films and creative projects.
Matilda went on to clarify that being part of Corrie meant she was tied to an exclusive contract, which prevented her from working elsewhere at the same time. As a result, she felt limited and eager to explore new opportunities beyond the cobbles.
What’s new with Matilda?
Since leaving Coronation Street, Matilda has remained busy with a string of new acting projects. In 2021, she appeared in the BBC comedy Alma’s Not Normal, playing teenage Lin, and more recently took on the role of Lil in ITV’s 2024 drama Passenger. She is also set to appear in the upcoming Netflix series How To Get To Heaven From Belfast.
Alongside her growing CV, Matilda has also debuted a noticeable new look, trading her blonde hair for a rich auburn shade. In a recent Instagram photo taken at a screening for How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, fans were quick to praise her transformation, flooding the comments with compliments such as “breathtaking” and “so beautiful.”
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