Former EastEnders Villain Aidan O’Callaghan Joins Coronation Street — and Fans Think They’ve Cracked His New Role
From Walford to Weatherfield
Coronation Street is about to welcome a familiar face from EastEnders — and soap fans are already buzzing with theories about what his arrival could mean. Irish actor Aidan O’Callaghan, best known for playing twisted villain Lewis Butler in EastEnders, is set to make his Corrie debut as a mysterious newcomer named Alan.
According to his Spotlight CV, O’Callaghan will appear in two episodes of the ITV soap, and his casting has sparked major speculation that his character could have deep ties to the newly introduced Driscoll family — the Irish clan taking over the iconic Rovers Return.
Aidan O’Callaghan’s Soap Legacy
O’Callaghan, 36, first stepped into soapland back in 2018 with a brief Emmerdale appearance, where his character Mike nearly became a love interest for Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley). Four years later, he became a household name in EastEnders after taking on one of the soap’s darkest storylines as Lewis Butler, the charming yet predatory bar manager of The Prince Albert.
Lewis’s harrowing arc culminated in the assault of Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), a storyline that shocked viewers and earned O’Callaghan widespread recognition — and revulsion — for his chilling portrayal. After his downfall in Walford, Lewis was written out, and fans assumed the actor had left the soap world behind. Until now.
Welcome to the Driscoll Family
Aidan’s new role will coincide with the arrival of Coronation Street’s highly anticipated Driscoll family. The new Rovers landlords include Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker), his formidable mother Maggie (Pauline McLynn), and returning fan-favourite Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley), who’s reuniting with her daughter Susie.
They’ll be joined by Ben’s sons Will (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) and Ollie (Raphael Akuwudike), rounding out what’s being billed as Corrie’s next big family unit.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Pauline McLynn teased what to expect from her fiery matriarch, warning fans to “put on your seatbelt” because Maggie is “fierce, formidable, and never wrong.”
Fan Theory: Alan Is Part of the Driscoll Past
But who exactly is Alan — and how does he fit in?
One eagle-eyed fan on X (formerly Twitter) noticed something intriguing: O’Callaghan’s face appears in a vintage family photo spotted on set in the Driscolls’ living quarters. That clue has sparked a wave of theories suggesting that Alan could be Maggie’s husband — possibly seen in flashbacks that explore the family’s turbulent past.
If true, it would mark another creative deep-dive into backstory for Coronation Street, following earlier special episodes exploring the childhood of Kit Green (Jacob Roberts). Viewers are speculating that Alan’s brief stint could unveil emotional secrets that shaped Ben’s upbringing and Maggie’s fierce protectiveness.
From Villainy to Family Secrets
O’Callaghan’s casting adds an intriguing edge to Corrie’s expanding universe. Known for his ability to play complex, morally grey characters, the actor’s presence has fans wondering whether Alan will appear as a nostalgic figure — or if darker revelations lie ahead.
While ITV has yet to comment, the excitement is already building. One fan wrote, “If Aidan’s playing Maggie’s husband, we’re in for a storm. There’s no way his character is just background.”
Whatever the truth, it seems Coronation Street is gearing up to give its newest family a rich and dramatic history — and Aidan O’Callaghan might be at the centre of it.