Coronation Street legends reunite worlds away from Weatherfield for a new BBC kids' sitcom
If you've ever had CBeebies on in the background while making a brew, listen up. Two familiar Coronation Street voices are about to pop up in a place you wouldn't expect - a brand-new BBC sitcom for kids set in Manchester.
Jennie McAlpine (movies and tv series) - Fiz Dobbs to most of us - has taken a role in Rafi the Wishing Wizard. She's been part of Corrie since 2001, with a quick earlier stint in Emmerdale back in '99-2000 as Michelle Morley. She left for Weatherfield at 17 and, aside from maternity breaks, hasn't looked back. Most recently, fans saw Fiz return to Tyrone, Ruby and Hope, slotting back into the family (movies and tv series) chaos like she never left.
So what's the new show?
Rafi the Wishing Wizard is a Manchester-based CBeebies sitcom following seven-year-old Rafi Martin - a determined kid with one wish a day to use. The twist? Her wishes run out. Often at the worst possible moment. Which is kind of the point - and the fun.
The voice cast is a proper mix of familiar and fresh. Alongside Corrie favourites Julie and Jennie, there's Mina Anwar (movies and tv series) as rebellious Aunty Tanuja, plus a handful of recognisable names from TV and theatre.
- Mina Anwar as Aunty Tanuja
- Julie and Jennie as family friends Doris and Amy
- Oliver Wellington (movies and tv series) as Park Keeper Al
- Melissa Lowe (movies and tv series) as Nia
- 11-year-old Karis Musongole as Khia
- Guest stars across the series include Sue Perkins (movies and tv series) and Natalie Cassidy (movies and tv series)
Created by executive producer Tom Cousins and directed by Sean McCormack, the series was commissioned by BBC Children's and Education for CBeebies after emerging from the Ignite animation initiative - a push to spotlight homegrown talent. It's warm, a bit chaotic, and rooted in family and friendship, with a Manc spin that feels lived-in rather than painted on.
What they're saying
Tom Cousins told us: "I can't wait for audiences to meet Rafi and her family and see the stories we've been crafting for the past few years come to life on screen. Rafi is full of heart, humour and plenty of unexpected, slightly chaotic wishes, proudly set in a magical vision of Manchester!"
And from Beth Gardiner, Commissioning Editor for CBeebies: "The series embodies our mission to create inspiring, entertaining and purposeful programming that reflects the lives of families. Animation has a unique power to connect with audiences of all ages and our commitment to supporting homegrown creativity goes from strength to strength. We can't wait for the CBeebies audience to meet Rafi."
Why this matters for soap fans
Here's what this could mean. For Corrie viewers, it's a sweet crossover: familiar voices turning up in a show your kids (or nieces and nephews) might fall in love with. For the industry, it keeps big soap names visible beyond the cobbles, and it does it without yanking them out of their day jobs.
And because it's set and made in Manchester, it keeps that local energy humming - the accents, the humour, the warmth. Honestly, it's the kind of move that makes sense: a family-friendly series fronted by actors parents already trust.
If you want a quick sense of the channel's vibe or to keep tabs on scheduling, check the official CBeebies site: bbc.co.uk/cbeebies.
We'll keep an ear out for when it lands. And yes, we'll be listening for those voices too.
