Why do you think this happens for actors?

[orgmatdane]

Why do you think actors on Coronation Street often stay for years or decades playing the same role? Aren’t they supposed to be famous actors who could get massive roles elsewhere or to progress their careers, for example, why don’t they all move to Hollywood?

Or, is it because they are less likely to be successful in getting better careers than Coronation Street?

Does anyone think coronation street actors are massively famous and could get other roles?

I imagine for a lot it’s steady money close to home.

I'm not sure there is huge demands for normal looking English people in Hollywood. And i think you overlook job satisfaction/ enjoyment/ steady paychecks and stability to not have to be moving around for work all the time. I have friends in the industry and its a very unstable worrying thing to be working short term gigs and making new applications regularly.

You like the role and want to develop your character?
Same as any job - some people stay forever and some want the career.

Why do you think actors on Coronation Street often stay for years or decades playing the same role?

It's steady work with a regular pay cheque.

How many former soap actors are ever really successful after leaving? From Coronation Street I can think of Sarah Lancashire and Suranne Jones.

Cos they are crap and are just playing themselves really.

Secure work. The majority that leave just fade away. Suranne Jones is the only one I can think of that's made it out of corrie

I don't know about Coronation Street but it always fascinates me the number of television actors, and some film actors, who have appeared in The Bill.

So many people who went on to have really good careers started out with a bit part in the Bill. And others who had regular roles in it went on to appear in other soaps and TV productions.

Lots of people act and lots want to act. Once you have a steady job, with regular income and not having to move around the world for various film sets, there is a lot of appeal to a soap.

They’re hardly massively famous 😂
There’s not much demand in Hollywood for soap actors from England. It’s a very competitive industry and many go nowhere after leaving. Once they’re competing with international talent not sure they stack up. They stay for the steady acting gig.

some of them do well and have the star power to leave soaps and have a career: Suranne Jones, Michelle Keegan, Margot Robbie for starters

Suranne Jones is the only one I can think of that's made it out of corrie

Sarah Lancashire
Michelle Keegan
Sally Lindsay
Katherine Kelly
Joanne Froggat

Aren't they usually pretty mediocre actors. The good ones do move on.

I don't think there's much call for actors like Helen Worth and Michael Le Vell in Hollywood.

Sarah Lancashire is fabulous! Michelle Keegan is rather beautiful although I can't say I'd rate her as an actress.

For a minute I was imagining Margot Robbie in the Rovers.

I think you have to be good + committed to be on a soap. Learning multiple scenes, having to swing high to low mood throughout the day, going on talk shows when you're involved in a story line. Doing charity appearances etc etc

Soap fan of more than four decades here. Bring in a soap is well-paid, usually not involving a lengthy commute. Those are big attractions, especially if you’re the breadwinner and have a big mortgage or two to pay for. In general, the very talented ones take the risk and move on. But usually not the ones who’re the breadwinners.

My friend’s dad was in Coronation Street.
A steady job after many years of uncertainty was basically it, I think. It might also have been more interesting playing a part with a chance to develop the character over years, than a succession of little film and tv parts, too.

Kylie is probably the former soap star who's made it biggest.

Guy Pearce didn't do too badly. And Jason.

Jim from Neighbours and Billy from Neighbours made it to the US, but I wouldn't say they became big Hollywood names.

I was sure Curly Watts had a place on the Hollywood walk of fame

Its a good income .....while it lasts. Some stay years and then get sacked. Because they are so typecast they struggle to get more work.
Some leave hoping for big stardom that doesnt happen.
The few already mentioned get to the dizzy heights but not very many.
Some decide they want to be killed off, think Dirty Den and Bobby Ewing then they have to concoct some weird story about them not being dead after all 🤣

I suppose it’s like any of us in any job. If it’s convenient for our lives at the time and the money and people are good etc then it works for as long as it works and when it’s time to move on, you know!

This is like the threads where someone is on NMW, and gets told to upskill and get a better job even though they are happy how things are.

Unless you are some A-list star, acting is not that lucrative, and there will be times you have no work at all. Staying in a soap for years is a steady income.

I disagree, I think Julianne Moore is the most successful of all.

Aren’t they supposed to be famous actors who could get massive roles elsewhere

No. They’re jobbing character actors.