Smallscreen News
The Return of the Rovers with Ian McKellen
By James Wray
Mar 10, 2005, 23:00 GMT

Ian McKellen in Paramount's 'Asylum'

Sir Ian McKellen is to appear in UK soap Coronation Street.

McKellen is swapping Gandalf's staff for a writers pen when he takes the role of a dubious character who is a writer.

The character, Mel Hutchwright, will be in ten episodes of the long running show.

Posting on his Web site he wrote: "For my next job I shall realise a long-held ambition - to appear in Coronation Street.

"More I shouldn't reveal, except that the script is hilarious and well up to the Street's current high standards as the UK's most popular television programme"

"About 15 years ago I turned down a previous offer to visit the Street, as Elsie Tanner's long-lost nephew. But I chickened out.

"After all it can't be easy to fit in with the expertise of the cast who have made Coronation Street so watchable over so many years. Now, I am nervous but raring to go.

"I don't yet know what Mel will look like nor sound like (a bit of my native northern accent maybe) but I'm already studying his lines, as rehearsal time is scarce for the five-times-a-week show."

Filming is scheduled for the end of March at Granada Studios in Manchester.

McKellen recently finished filming Paramount's love/drama "Asylum." You can read more about that in our database.