Aaron McCusker swaps Coronation Street’s Ben for brand new project
Ben Driscoll Star Expands Career Beyond The ITV Soap
Coronation Street actor Aaron McCusker is stepping into a very different kind of spotlight, as the soap favourite takes on an exciting new project far removed from the drama of Weatherfield.
McCusker, who joined the ITV soap last year as Ben Driscoll, has already been at the centre of several emotionally charged storylines. However, while his on-screen character continues to navigate family turmoil and personal upheaval, the actor himself has been quietly building momentum in another long-running television universe.
Ben Driscoll’s Turbulent Year On The Cobbles
It has been a particularly intense period for Ben Driscoll in Coronation Street, with the character enduring a relentless series of personal crises.
As landlord of the iconic Rovers Return, Ben has found himself balancing professional responsibilities with deeply emotional family struggles—most notably the ongoing fallout surrounding his son Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale). Will’s storyline has taken a dark and sensitive turn, as he continues to process the impact of grooming abuse at the hands of athletics coach Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon).
The situation has placed Ben under immense pressure, forcing him into a protective and often emotionally charged role as he attempts to support his son through trauma while keeping his own life from unravelling.
But family revelations have only added further complications. Ben was recently blindsided by the truth about his mother Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn), who confessed she had lied for years about his biological father.
In a dramatic twist, it was revealed that Ben’s real father is none other than Coronation Street icon Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson), making him the half-brother of Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson). The revelation has added an entirely new layer to Ben’s already complicated identity within the soap’s legendary family tree.
A New Chapter Away From Weatherfield
While Ben Driscoll’s life on the cobbles continues to spiral through emotional highs and lows, Aaron McCusker has also been expanding his creative portfolio away from Coronation Street.
The actor is also known for his work on the Northern Irish crime drama Hope Street, which has been airing since 2021 and follows the lives of police officers in the fictional coastal town of Port Devine.
Now, excitement is building as the series moves into a major new phase with a feature-length special titled One of Our Own – A Hope Street Film.
McCusker will reprise his role as Clint Dunwoody, a character who, much like Ben Driscoll, is also tied to the running of a local pub—the Commodore. The parallel between both roles highlights McCusker’s growing reputation for playing grounded, community-focused characters in emotionally driven ensemble dramas.
Behind The Scenes Of The Hope Street Film
Fans recently got a glimpse behind the curtain thanks to social media posts from hair and makeup artist Shelley Blair, who shared behind-the-scenes images from the production.
Blair described the first week of filming as a strong start, signalling that the feature-length project is already well underway.
The upcoming film is expected to focus on a serious and high-stakes storyline involving violent crime committed against a beloved local figure in Port Devine. According to early teases, the case will have wide-reaching consequences for the town’s police force, particularly DS Marlene Pettigrew.
A Special Event For Fans Of The Series
The Hope Street film is being positioned as more than just a continuation of the series—it is also a celebratory milestone for long-time viewers.
BBC Northern Ireland commissioning editor Mary McKeagney previously described the project as an opportunity to “tie up loose ends” while offering fans a feature-length story that honours the series’ loyal audience.
She also framed the film as a thank-you to viewers who have supported the show across multiple seasons, while praising the cast and crew for their continued commitment to bringing Port Devine to life.
Returning Faces And New Additions
Alongside Aaron McCusker, the film will see the return of several familiar Hope Street cast members, including Kerri Quinn, Tara-Lynne O’Neill, Niamh McGrady, Marcus Onilude, Cameron Cuffe, Katie Shortt, Eleanor Methven, Paddy Jenkins, Jonny Grogan, and RheAna Kamalu.
The project will also introduce new additions to the ensemble, including comedians Paddy Raff and Tim McGarry, as well as actor Letitia Hector—bringing fresh energy to the established cast dynamic.
Balancing Two Very Different Worlds
For McCusker, the timing of this new project highlights the increasingly dynamic nature of his career. While Coronation Street continues to deliver emotionally charged family drama for his character Ben Driscoll, Hope Street offers a different creative space rooted in crime storytelling and ensemble character work.
The contrast between the two roles underscores his versatility as an actor, shifting between the high-drama world of Weatherfield and the procedural tension of Port Devine.
What’s Next For Aaron McCusker?
With Ben Driscoll still deeply entangled in Coronation Street’s ongoing storylines—and major family revelations still reverberating through the cobbles—McCusker’s on-screen future in Weatherfield remains packed with potential drama.
At the same time, his expanded role in Hope Street signals a growing presence across UK television drama, with opportunities to explore characters far removed from the emotional chaos of the Rovers Return.
For fans, it means one thing: whether on the cobbles or beyond them, Aaron McCusker is firmly in the middle of some of television’s most compelling storytelling.