Sally Ann Matthews is stepping into a bold new chapter of her career after landing a major role that could not be further removed from her long-running Coronation Street character Jenny Bradley.
The actress has been announced as the new Patricia in HERE & NOW, the hit musical built around the much-loved songs of pop superstars Steps. Sally will take over the role from Finty Williams, who originated the part and completed her run in December 2025. Sally is set to begin performances from 23 January 2026, marking her first major project since leaving Coronation Street last autumn.
For viewers, the casting represents a striking contrast to the troubled pub landlady Jenny Bradley, a role Sally made her own over several decades. Patricia, by comparison, exists in the vibrant, feel-good world of musical theatre, surrounded by pop anthems, romance and high-energy choreography.
Sally’s association with Coronation Street spans an extraordinary 39 years. She first appeared as Jenny Bradley in 1986, remaining on the ITV soap until 1991 before returning briefly in 1993. In 2015, she made a full-time comeback, becoming a central figure on the cobbles once again and staying with the show until October 2025.
Over the years, Jenny evolved from a headstrong teenager into one of Weatherfield’s most complex characters. Sally was at the heart of many of the soap’s biggest storylines, from explosive relationships to personal tragedy, earning her a reputation as one of the show’s most emotionally powerful performers. Her departure last year marked the end of an era for long-time fans.
While she is best known for Coronation Street, Sally has consistently balanced soap success with an impressive stage career. Her theatre credits include UK tours of Mum’s The Word, The Business of Murder, Present Laughter and Killing Time, as well as The Accrington Pals at the Bolton Octagon. The move into a large-scale musical production is a natural next step for an actress with extensive live performance experience.
Produced by Steps themselves alongside ROYO and Pete Waterman, HERE & NOW features an original book by Shaun Kitchener and is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh. Choreography comes from Olivier Award-winner Matt Cole, with musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Matt Spencer-Smith.
The story follows Caz and her close-knit group of friends as they dream of the ultimate summer of love. When romantic illusions begin to crumble, and relationships unravel, the group are forced to question whether true happiness is worth the risk. The narrative is set to a soundtrack of Steps’ biggest hits, including Tragedy/Heartbeat, Stomp, One For Sorrow, 5,6,7,8, Last Thing On My Mind, Chain Reaction and Love’s Got A Hold On My Heart.
Steps remain one of the UK’s most successful pop groups, with 14 top-five singles, four number one albums and more than 22 million records sold. Their music-driven stage show provides a colourful backdrop for Sally’s post-Coronation Street reinvention.
For fans used to seeing her pulling pints behind the Rovers Return bar, Sally Ann Matthews’ transformation into Patricia promises something entirely new. It’s a role that showcases her versatility, proving that even after nearly four decades defined by one iconic soap character, she is still eager to explore fresh territory, and do so centre stage.
