CORRIE STAR AARON MCCUSKER FILMS NEW CRIME PROJECT AWAY FROM THE COBBLES!!!

Aaron McCusker Expands His On-Screen Universe Beyond Weatherfield

Coronation Street favourite Aaron McCusker is keeping himself exceptionally busy behind the scenes, balancing his ongoing soap commitments with a major new screen project away from Weatherfield.

McCusker, who joined Coronation Street last year as Ben Driscoll, has also been confirmed to reprise his role as Clint Dunwoody in the BBC Northern Ireland crime drama Hope Street, which continues to build its audience following its 2021 debut.

The actor is currently filming a brand-new feature-length special titled One of Our Own – A Hope Street Film, marking an expansion of the series into a cinematic format.

Filming Underway On Hope Street Feature Special

Production is already in full swing on the upcoming film, which revisits the fictional coastal town of Port Devine and its police force.

Behind-the-scenes images shared on social media by hair and makeup artist Shelley Blair have offered fans an early glimpse into the production, with McCusker seen back in character during the shoot.

Blair captioned one of the posts:

“Great first week shooting Hope Street One of Our Own.”

The film is expected to continue the show’s signature blend of small-town policing, emotional storytelling, and high-stakes crime drama.

What The Hope Street Film Will Be About

While full plot details remain tightly under wraps, the special has been described as centring around a “violent crime committed against a much-loved local”, an incident that sends shockwaves through the community and lands DS Marlene Pettigrew in a deeply challenging investigation.

BBC Northern Ireland commissioning editor Mary McKeagney previously hinted that the project will serve both as a narrative continuation and a tribute to loyal viewers.

She explained that the film aims to:

• Tie up loose storylines from the series
• Reward long-time fans
• Celebrate the work of the cast and crew across five seasons

Returning Cast And New Faces Confirmed

Alongside McCusker, a strong ensemble cast is set to return, including familiar faces from the original series such as Kerri Quinn, Tara-Lynne O’Neill, Niamh McGrady, Marcus Onilude, Cameron Cuffe, Katie Shortt, Eleanor Methven, Paddy Jenkins, Jonny Grogan, and RheAna Kamalu.

The feature will also introduce new additions to the franchise, with comedians Paddy Raff and Tim McGarry joining the lineup, alongside actor Letitia Hector.

This expanded cast is expected to bring new dynamics to the Port Devine storyline while maintaining the grounded, character-driven tone that has defined the series.

Balancing Two Major Roles At Once

Despite his involvement in the film project, McCusker is not expected to take a break from his Coronation Street duties. Industry sources suggest that filming schedules have been carefully coordinated to allow him to continue portraying Ben Driscoll in Weatherfield without an on-screen exit.

This means fans can expect to see the character remain active on-screen while McCusker simultaneously works across both productions.

His dual commitment highlights the increasing trend of British soap actors branching into parallel drama roles, particularly in long-running procedural and crime series.

What This Means For Fans

For viewers of both shows, McCusker’s packed schedule offers a double dose of drama:

• On Coronation Street, his character Ben Driscoll continues to be woven into ongoing storylines on the cobbles.
• In Hope Street, Clint Dunwoody’s return promises fresh tension in a major standalone special event.

With One of Our Own positioned as a key addition to the Hope Street universe, anticipation is already building among fans eager to see how the feature expands the series’ world.

Final Thoughts

Aaron McCusker’s latest move reinforces his growing presence across British television drama. Balancing a major soap role with a feature-length crime special is no small feat, but it’s clear the actor is firmly in demand.

As filming continues, audiences can look forward to seeing how both of his on-screen worlds evolve — one in the heart of Weatherfield, and the other on the windswept coast of Port Devine.