Ever fonder of Erica - the Joy of Erica Holroyd

(This post was originally posted by Ruth Owen on the Coronation Street Blog in February 2016.)

I had the genuine pleasure of interviewing Claire King just before she joined the cast of Coronation Street. She was warm, friendly and tried hard to answer our questions. She told us that her character, Erica Holroyd, had fallen on difficult times. She was living in Spain and she had left her abusive and violent boyfriend and without any time to pack, she was literally in possession of no more than the clothes she stood up in. Erica found employment with none other than Liz Mcdonald who was running a bar in Spain. Erica worked very hard for her wages and in return Liz gave her bed and board. Liz and Erica swiftly became good friends and then, sometime later, Erica turned up in The Rovers. Delight was in abundance for the two reunited friends. The reason for Erica’s arrival on the cobbles in December 2014, was because her mother, who lives in Preston was unwell.

Initially, much as I had enjoyed interviewing Claire King, I was disappointed in the character of Erica Holroyd. What’s more, I wasn’t sure why. After all, I liked that she waited for service in the Bistro, became impatient, then decided to serve herself, much to Ma Rodwell’s/Macintyre’s disgust! But what did Erica do wrong? Nothing dishonest or criminal.

Erica and Nick started a relationship – nothing serious and both were happy with it that way. Erica knew she was returning to Spain so there would be no point in getting serious. Then fate intervened in the shape of Erica’s mother who had a fall and needed help.

Later, Erica told Nick that she was pregnant with his baby. Once used to the idea, they were both excited until fate got in the way again and Erica lost the baby. They decided that they should stay together but Nick’s feelings for Carla had grown strong, and Erica moved over to allow Nick and Carla to develop their relationship.

In her next incarnation on the cobbles. she is a free woman, a great friend to Liz and a singles night companion for Anna. Erica has come into her own. She was a great support to Liz when it was discovered that Tony was cheating on her with Tracy and attempting to take the Rovers.

Erica now works in Dev’s shop, and it seemed at first that Dev had designs on her. That idea seems to have blown over – for now anyway. What has particularly impressed me about Erica is her role as a friend to Mary. Very few women on the cobbles have bothered to be kind to Mary let alone get to know her. Erica has befriended her. If anyone needs a friend right now, it is Mary, after Brendan’s wife humiliated her in The Rovers. Since then Mary has been in a dreadful state and is languishing around Dev’s house.

Dev is anxious about Mary’s welfare, partly because he cares about her, but largely because how Mary is, affects the smooth running of his children’s lives. Erica has no such motive. Erica is being kind because that is her nature. She has nothing to gain. Nevertheless, she stops Mary watching Loose Women, and tells her that it would be a great idea to go shopping together to buy something for the children’s tea. From not wanting to leave the sofa, and certainly not wanting to cook, the wonderful Erica has found a way to get Mary up and doing – all in a matter of minutes. ‘Come shopping with me, it’ll be fun.’ Later, when the children come to the table, Mary is enthusiastically serving them. Great work, Erica.

I like the fact that we have on the cobbles now, an attractive woman in her fifties, who is confident, stylish and independent and who doesn’t appear desperate to grab a man. It is my hope that the writers leave her that way, at least for a good while.

Ruth - twitter @ruth1722




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