In the latest Coronation Street update, star Will Mella has shed light on why Harvey won’t be making a return to the show. Mella, who played the notorious drug lord Harvey, first appeared in 2021 when Simon Barlow was recruited into Harvey’s criminal gang. Leanne Battersby, working with the police, played a crucial role in taking down Harvey after he escaped from a prison van. During a dramatic week-long special, Harvey attempted to murder Leanne but instead ended up killing Natasha Blakeman.

Harvey made a brief return in 2022 when Natasha’s son, Sam, visited him in prison. He reprised the role earlier this year, but Mella has now confirmed that Harvey will not be coming back to Coronation Street. In a recent interview, Mella explained that he prefers not to overexpose his character. “When I first played Harvey, it was meant to be a special appearance, and I thought that would be the end of it,” Mella told the Mirror. “They asked me to return for a while, focusing on a storyline where Sam wanted answers about why Harvey killed his mother and his motivations.”

Mella found the storyline intriguing, noting how Harvey’s tough persona was challenged by the young Sam, who forced him to confront his own actions. Despite this compelling angle, Mella feels that there isn’t much more to explore with the character. “I think I’ve done everything I can with Harvey,” he said. “Sometimes, returning too often can dilute the character and weaken the storyline, and I don’t want to do that. It’s better to leave it as it is.”

Reflecting on his time on the show, Mella described his experience as fulfilling a significant career milestone. He viewed his role as ticking off a box on his acting journey that he was eager to achieve but now feels it’s time to move on.

So, while Harvey’s reign of terror was intense and memorable, fans should not expect any more appearances from him in future episodes. Mella’s decision ensures that the character’s storyline remains impactful and avoids overextending his presence.