Alya on Coronation Street on June 28, 2021 / © ITV
Coronation Street star Sair Khan has teased a new side for her character Alya when she returns to the cobbles next week.
Alya left Weatherfield for a job in Ireland in April – while in real life Khan went on maternity leave – but she returns in next week’s episodes with a new role shadowing a criminal solicitor.
“Alya has definitely had a complete revamp, and I think getting away from the street, really focusing on her career and where she wants to be, has ignited a new spark in her,” explained Khan.
“She’s changed lanes a little bit in terms of her work and what she wants to do, but she’s putting her heart and soul and all of her passion into making her career a success and learning.
“And when she comes back onto the street, you can tell that she’s been influenced by the place that she’s been working. It’s quite corporate, her look has changed.
“She’s obviously got a bit more money, her style is much more elevated, and she’s taken time out for herself, rather than pouring everything into her family relationships, which have taken a lot from her. I think she’s taken the opportunity to be a bit selfish, and I quite like that for her.”
When Alya does return, Khan hinted that her new job could put her at odds with Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) and her good friend Dee-Dee (Channique Sterling-Brown).
“Alya makes a very unexpected return,” she said. “Where we find her is not where you expect her to be, and where you expect her to show up. So that throws a spanner in the works at the very beginning.
“Dee-Dee is one of her best friends, so she will know what has been going on, but where Alya finds herself is in a very compromised situation of her own when she gets back.”
She continued: “I think the moment you first see Alya back on the screen, you can instantly tell that she has misgivings about the situation that she’s in. She feels very compromised.
“She doesn’t quite know the facts of what’s happening, but her spidey senses are telling her that something’s not quite right, and she doesn’t really know how the situation is going to pan out, or if she’s on the wrong side of the truth. She finds herself questioning her morals and what she thought she wanted.”
Coronation Street continues Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7am on ITVX and at 8pm on ITV1.
> Picture Spoilers: Next week on Coronation Street (Nov 25-29)
