James Murray Coronation Street Stint Leaves Actor Vowing ‘Never Again’
james murray has said he will not return to Coronation Street after a brief three-episode turn early in his career, calling the experience “frightening” during a conversation with Alan Titchmarsh on Love Your Weekend on Sunday (March 15).
James Murray Describes ‘Frightening’ First Screen Role
The actor recounted that his first screen role on the long-running soap was as Sandy the barman, appearing for roughly three episodes as the barman to Jack and Vera. He described walking onto the Rovers as an overwhelming introduction to screen acting: bright lights, rapid shooting cadence and a sense of panic that left him “shaking and sweating. “
Fast-Paced Soap Production and a Fellow Actor’s Advice
He contrasted the pace of soap filming with other forms of acting, saying it felt “very quick” and likening it to a “sausage factory, ” where there is limited time for creative input and actors are expected to hit marks and deliver lines swiftly. During the scene, a co-star noticed his visible nerves and offered blunt but practical advice: “You’re shaking like a leaf, son, either stop shaking or think of doing something else. ” The interaction stayed with him and helped shape his view of that early experience.
From That Stint to Theatre and Later Television Work
After the Coronation Street episodes, he stepped away from that mode of screen acting and focused on theatre and other projects rather than returning to the fast-turnaround environment he found so intimidating. james murray said the episode convinced him he did not want to be an actor “like this, ” though it did not end his acting career. He later went on to appear in multiple television productions and stage work.
Most recently, he took on the role of Raef Lonsdale in the 2025 drama series Wild Cherry, playing a more nefarious character. He acknowledged that while the early soap stint was a difficult baptism, he has continued to work and to take on roles that differ from that initial experience.
The account offers a candid look at how a short, early job on a high-profile serial can leave a lasting impression on a performer. For now, he has framed that three-episode run as a closed chapter and praised the skill of actors who work successfully in that fast-moving environment.
Looking ahead, his comments suggest he will continue to pursue projects that align with the methods he found more sustainable after that early lesson, while acknowledging the role Coronation Street played in kick-starting his screen career.
