Coronation Street and Doctor Who star Millie Gibson has opened up about her new role, and how much it differs from her alter-egos from Weatherfield and the TARDIS.

Millie portrayed the role of Kelly Neelan in the ITV soap on and off from 2019-2022.

Shortly after she left, she joined sci-fi drama Doctor Who, to appear as the first companion alongside Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor.

Her character was called Ruby Sunday, and her arc focused on her trying to find her mum, who abandoned her when she was a baby.

Millie has now left her role as Ruby, which means she’s exploring new avenues in the industry. Soon, she will appear in the upcoming Channel 5 period drama called The Forsytes.

Given her roles as Kelly and Ruby, Millie’s latest character is a huge contrast. The series, based on the novels by John Galsworthy, follows familial tensions and marriages erupting as secrets come to life.

Millie will portray the ambitious wife of Soames Forsyte, who battles against cousin Jolyon about taking over the family firm.

With the series beginning on Channel 5 on October 20, Millie has recently revealed more about what to expect from her character.

She also said at the programme launch that she has loved playing the role, even though it’s so different from who she is.

‘I look completely different in The Forsytes. I’m the girl with the red hair that’s dancing all the time. I look completely different, and it’s an absolute pleasure, because I love playing a character that is totally unlike me, and isn’t Mancunian.

‘It’s totally gruelling but totally all worth it.’

Millie admitted that the job will ‘always be very special’ to her.

‘It came to me at a very needed time’, she added.

‘I fell completely in love with it and I fell in love with the cast and the crew, I will forever be grateful for it. I was very lucky enough to work with such an incredible ensemble. When I saw the cast release, I was like, ‘Oh my god!’

‘I’m very fortunate enough to have Joshua Orpin play the husband and we had the most special time, and it will always be in my heart, and I’ve learned so much from this job.’

Millie’s Corrie character Kelly Neelan departed the cobbles in 2022 after discovering the truth about her dad Rick.

Before Doctor Who, Millie played Kelly in Corrie

She learnt that Gary Windass (Mikey North) murdered her father during a showdown in the woods. Gary feared that Kelly would tell the police about his secret, but she chose not to.

After confirming that she would keep quiet, she told Gary that she needed to get away and go somewhere she could be ‘just Kelly’.

She made her way onto the cobbles, bags packed, as the closing credits began to roll.

Earlier this year, Millie featured in Ncuti’s final episodes of Doctor Who.

Ruby helped the Doctor and new companion Belinda (Varada Sethu) defeat the two Ranis (Anita Dobson and Archie Panjabi), a toxic podcaster (Jonah Hauer-King) and an ancient beast known as The Omega.

‘This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever’, Ncuti said as he bid farewell to the role.

‘There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe.

‘The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show and I can’t thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in, and making this such a touching experience.

‘I’ve loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. I’ll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor.