David Neilson says Roy Cropper’s secret niece presents an "interesting dynamic" on ‘Coronation Street’.
The cafe owner – who is played by David having first appeared on the cobbles back in 1995 – is set to be introduced to his troubled ‘goth’ niece Nina (Mollie Gallagher) after discovering he has a brother from an affair his late mother Sylvia had as a younger woman.
David, 70, said: "The storyline is a great device to bring Roy’s niece Nina into his life, a new relationship with a younger character, a troubled young person in the same way as he took in Wayne, Fiz, Becky and even cared for Carla when she was struggling. It is an interesting dynamic.
"Roy works well when he has something to focus on, a problem to solve or someone to look out for, particularly someone who others may see as a bit different.
"Roy can identify with that as he has been an outsider himself. It is interesting and it puts him on his mettle. They are different generations and worlds apart but there is a connection between them."
Roy tracks down his brother Richard Lucas (Paul Brown) and discovers he is seriously ill, and he agrees to take on responsibility for Nina.
Newcomer Molly, 21, added: "I am absolutely delighted to be in ‘Coronation Street’.
"I grew up watching the show and it is surreal to be on the set working alongside such incredible actors as David Neilson and Alison King.
"Nina is a really interesting character, she is a bit of an outsider and although she is reluctant to let Roy into her life she soon realises they have more in common than she first thought."
Corrie’s David Neilson on Roy Cropper’s secret niece joining the cobbles
