Since arriving on the cobbles, Coronation Street’s Megan has wasted no time in making her presence felt. Manipulative, calculating and deeply unsettling,

the character has quickly become one of the soap’s most talked-about new arrivals. But while Megan’s on-screen actions have left viewers horrified and glued

to their screens, the woman behind the role has a very different story to tell — one of perseverance, near heartbreak, and an extraordinary career breakthrough that came just in time.

Inside Coronation Street Megan actress’ life off-screen from normal job to actor ex

The character of Megan was introduced earlier this year as the athletics coach to teenage runner Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale), who moved to Weatherfield from Hull with his family in the hope of a fresh start. At first, Megan appeared professional, encouraging and dedicated — exactly the kind of mentor a vulnerable young athlete might trust. However, it soon became horrifyingly clear that all was not as it seemed.

As the storyline unfolded, viewers learned that Megan had been secretly grooming 16-year-old Will for months before his relocation, carefully manipulating his trust and isolating him from those closest to him. The revelation sent shockwaves through Weatherfield and sparked widespread debate among fans, with many praising the soap for tackling such a dark and complex subject head-on.

To complicate matters further, Megan later embarked on a romantic relationship with fellow teacher Daniel Osborne (Rob Mallard), a development that unsettled viewers and added another disturbing layer to her character. Her ability to seamlessly switch between charm and menace cemented Megan as one of Coronation Street’s most chilling villains in recent memory.

And just when viewers thought the storyline couldn’t get any more explosive, this week delivered another bombshell: Megan is pregnant. The twist has raised countless questions about her future, her motivations, and the devastating impact her actions may yet have on those around her.

As the drama intensifies on screen, interest has surged in the actress behind the role — newcomer Beth Nixon — whose real-life journey to the cobbles is as compelling as any soap storyline.

Beth joined the Corrie cast this year

From York to Weatherfield: Beth Nixon’s Journey

At just 25 years old, Beth Nixon hails from York and trained at the prestigious Arden School of Theatre in Manchester. Like many aspiring actors, her path to success was anything but straightforward. Determined to keep her dream alive, Beth juggled auditions alongside full-time work, managing a skin clinic while chasing acting opportunities whenever she could.

Before landing her breakthrough role on Coronation Street, Beth had also spent years working as a waitress — a reality familiar to countless performers struggling to gain a foothold in an unforgiving industry. The long hours, financial uncertainty and repeated knockbacks took their toll, pushing Beth to the brink of walking away from acting altogether.

That all changed with one life-altering phone call.

Beth has spoken candidly about the moment she learned she’d secured the role of Megan — a moment that marked not just a professional milestone, but an emotional turning point. She revealed that she was at work when her agent called with the news.

“I was upstairs as my colleague watched the desk,” she recalled. “When he told me I’d got it, everybody in the clinic could hear me screaming my head off — and then I cried.”

For Beth, the role came after four years of uncertainty following her graduation, making it even more significant.

“It’s been four years since I graduated and this is my first TV role,” she explained. “It’s been a hard time, and I was really close to quitting, having a normal job and pursuing a different career. This just came at exactly the right time — when I needed it.”

It is her first TV role

A First TV Role — and a Huge Responsibility

Despite Megan’s prominence in the storyline, Coronation Street marks Beth Nixon’s first-ever television role. Prior to her soap debut, her experience consisted of a handful of stage productions, radio voiceovers, and one memorable commercial.

Beth previously appeared in a McDonald’s advert filmed in Switzerland alongside her actor ex-boyfriend — a job she still remembers fondly.

“I was flown out there for four days, shot the advert and thought it was just the coolest thing in the world,” she said. “Getting paid to eat McDonald’s all day in Switzerland!”

The advert centred on a relatable moment — finding the last few chips at the bottom of a takeaway bag — but for Beth, it was a glimpse of the acting career she desperately hoped to build.

“I’ve also done a few plays and radio voiceovers, but nothing major really until this,” she admitted.

That makes her performance as Megan all the more remarkable. Tackling such a complex, controversial role as her first major TV job is no small feat, and viewers have been vocal in their praise — even as they recoil from Megan’s behaviour.

Almost a Different Coronation Street Face

What many fans don’t realise is that Beth Nixon came agonisingly close to joining Coronation Street long before Megan ever appeared on screen. In fact, she auditioned twice for other roles before finally securing her place on the cobbles.

“This is my first TV job, but not the first time I have auditioned for Corrie,” Beth previously revealed.

She previously auditioned to play Lauren Bolton

She explained that she had auditioned for the role of Lauren Bolton — a character eventually played by Cait Fitton — as well as for another part involving a girl who bullied Lauren at the mother-and-baby unit.

Although she narrowly missed out, those auditions ultimately paved the way for her return to the casting room.

“My agent called me and explained this role and asked if I wanted to audition,” Beth said — a decision that would change her life.

Cait Fitton went on to debut as Lauren Bolton in 2022 and has since become a regular presence on the show. Meanwhile, Beth’s eventual casting as Megan demonstrates the unpredictable nature of soap casting — and how persistence can finally pay off.

A Star on the Rise

As Megan’s storyline continues to unfold, Beth Nixon has found herself at the centre of one of Coronation Street’s most powerful and controversial plots. The pregnancy twist promises to push the narrative into even darker territory, raising questions about accountability, redemption, and the long-term consequences of Megan’s actions.

For Beth, the role represents not just a career breakthrough, but validation after years of doubt and struggle. Her journey from managing a skin clinic and contemplating quitting acting altogether, to becoming one of Weatherfield’s most talked-about newcomers, is a powerful reminder of resilience and timing.

While Megan’s fate remains uncertain — and likely explosive — one thing is clear: Beth Nixon is a talent to watch. And for Coronation Street viewers, her arrival has ensured that the drama on the cobbles is far from over.