Mollie Gallagher landed a job as a seat filler at the ceremony three years ago – and now she’s up for an award
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Coronation Street: Nina Lucas turns to booze after horror attack
Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher is about to have a full circle moment at the upcoming National Television Awards – as she stands to get a gong three years after attending as a seat filler.
The 23-year-old landed a job at the ceremony as a drama student, sitting in the place of the celebs as they nip out for a break away from the show so the theatre still looks full.
But now, after capturing viewers’ hearts as tormented goth Nina Lucas in Corrie, Mollie’s made it to the nominations for Serial Drama Performance.
The weight of how far she’s come isn’t lost on the actress, who says she “wouldn’t believe” how well she’s done if she was told three years ago.
Mollie Gallagher plays Nina Lucas
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Image:
ITV)
Seb’s death devastated Nina
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ITV)
“I was a massive Corrie fan and I was desperate to sit with the Corrie cast. But I was at the opposite side of the room,” Mollie told The Sun.
“It was the year Lucy Fallon, who played Bethany Platt, won the Best Serial Performance award, and I got really emotional.
“When I got nominated this year I was laughing with my friends about how crazy it is that I’ve gone from being a seat filler watching Lucy to being nominated for the same award.”
Mollie has been nominated for an NTA for her portrayal of Nina
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Image:
ITV)
Mollie is being recognised after the heartbreaking storyline in which her character Nina is the victim of a hate attack for being a goth.
The vicious and unprovoked assault at the hands of Corey Brent (Max Evans) resulted in the death of Nina’s boyfriend, Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni), and Nina in hospital.
Since then, Nina has been wracked with guilt over the death believing she’s somehow to blame because of her clothing style.
Nina’s performances have consistently wowed Corrie viewers
In upcoming weeks, Nina – who was left with memory loss after the attack – begins to remember what happened to her.
Which couldn’t come at a more opportune moment as Corey and his co-conspirator Kelly head to court over the killing.
The storyline is based loosely on the death of 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster, who was kicked to death in an unprovoked attack for being a goth in 2007.
Nina is still struggling with her identity and blames her goth look for Seb’s death
Mollie has a fight on her hands though, as she comes up against EastEnders’ Danny Dyer for his portrayal of Mick Carter, her fellow Corrie star Sally Carman, who plays Abi Franklin, and Hollyoaks’ Billy Price as Sid Sumner.
But win or lose, Mollie has said she’s happy to take on such a unique role like Nina – especially as she relates to her so much.
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“If I was watching Coronation Street growing up and I saw someone like Nina, I would have said, ‘I want to play that role’,” she said.
“It would have been nice to see people like me and people I could aspire to be like.
“It’s good for any actors out there who are more alternative.
“It shows you can still be yourself and there are roles that represent society in every way.”
You can vote for this year’s National Television Awards at nationaltvawards.com/vote
*Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV