Fans of Coronation Street can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Samia Longchambon, the actress behind Weatherfield favourite Maria Connor, has officially signed a new contract — securing her future on the cobbles throughout 2026.
The news comes after Samia celebrated an incredible 25 years on the ITV soap last year, firmly cementing Maria as one of Coronation Street’s most enduring and beloved characters. From her early days as a kennel maid to running the barbers, Maria has survived serial killers, shady builders, political battles, and the devastating loss of Liam Connor. Simply put, the street would not feel the same without her.
According to reports, the actress has renewed her deal for at least another year, with insiders teasing that “there’s so much more to come” for Maria. That promise has sparked excitement among fans, especially after a relatively quieter period for the character.
The timing couldn’t be better. The contract renewal lands just days before Coronation Street’s landmark crossover event with Emmerdale, airing on Monday, 5 January. The special episode — dubbed Corridale — is set to be one of the biggest soap events in ITV history.
The crossover will feature a catastrophic multi-vehicle crash on a dark country road near Hotten, bringing characters from both soaps together in a high-stakes disaster storyline. Lives will be on the line as Weatherfield meets the Yorkshire Dales in scenes described as more Hollywood blockbuster than weekday soap.
Reacting to the finished episode, Corrie legend Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt, admitted even he was stunned by the scale of the production. He revealed that cast members were kept away from the most dangerous sequences, with professional stunt drivers handling the most intense moments.
Describing the episode as “filmic and cinematic,” Shepherd hinted that the crossover packs an enormous amount of action into its runtime — promising crashes, chaos, and dramatic consequences that will ripple through both soaps.
With Maria Connor secured for another year and a blockbuster crossover about to explode onto screens, Coronation Street is heading into 2026 with confidence, spectacle, and plenty of drama still to come.