Coronation Street to introduce first Muslim family

Bosses at ITV1’s long running soap ‘Coronation Street’ have confirmed that it will be introducing its first ever Muslim family into the show after 53 years.

Viewers have already seen Jimi Mistry play the role of Khalid Nazir since November last year. He will now be followed by the rest of his screen family in the coming weeks on the popular show. Producers of the show wanted ‘Coronation Street’ to reflect real life in multicultural Manchester.

According to RadioTimes, Kal will go into business with his father Sharif and corner shop owner Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) when they open a gymnasium at Victoria Court, the complex at the end of Victoria Street where Leanne (Jane Danson) and Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) currently reside.

Producer Stuart Blackburn told RadioTimes, “We’ve cast Kal’s dad, who I’m already loving on paper. He’s a man who retired some time ago after making enough money,” revealed Blackburn. “You can imagine that he’s had some health problems and his wife has told him, ‘you’re not going to work for 12 hours a day any more, you blithering idiot’.”

Digital Spy has reported that actor Marc Anwar has already been cast as Khalid’s father Sharif. Khalid’s mother, son and daughter will also be brought in.

Last year, it was reported by The Sun newspaper that a family was being brought into the show but it was not confirmed if it will be a Muslim one or another Asian family. At the time, a source said, “Producers want to introduce a new family to the Street and they think it would be brilliant if they are Muslim. It would also highlight issues facing Muslims in the country and promote racial awareness. Bosses have put out a casting notice to ask actors to put themselves forward.”