Fans of “Coronation Street” were left in shock as they discovered that Jonathan Howard, who plays the notorious Carl Webster, has a surprising connection to a major Hollywood blockbuster. The actor’s transformation from soap villain to superhero film star has taken viewers by surprise, and many are only just catching on.
Jonathan made his debut on the beloved ITV soap last year, stepping into the role of Carl, the troubled brother of Kevin (Michael Le Vell) and Debbie (Sue Devaney). Since then, Carl has caused quite a stir, embroiling himself in scandalous affairs and even a hit-and-run incident involving Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall). His manipulative ways led to his mother, who suffers from dementia, taking the fall for a multi-car crash, resulting in her brief imprisonment.
In a recent twist on the cobbles, Carl learned that Tyrone was the one who accidentally ran him over earlier this year, leading to a dramatic hospital visit courtesy of Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan), as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
What many fans may not realize is that Jonathan has a noteworthy film credit to his name. In 2013, he appeared as Ian Boothby in “Thor: The Dark World,” a Marvel film that featured stars like Chris Hemsworth and Idris Elba, and grossed over £500 million worldwide.
The revelation of Jonathan’s role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has left fans in disbelief. One viewer took to social media, exclaiming, “I was today years old when I found out Carl Webster is canon in the MCU… this crossover!” Another fan expressed their surprise, saying, “How did I never realize that was him? I’ve seen Thor: The Dark World so many times!”
Despite his impressive credits, Jonathan has faced his share of challenges in the industry. He recently opened up about the tough times he experienced, including persistent rejection during auditions. In an interview with the Mirror, he shared, “At one point in my mid-30s, I was auditioning constantly and getting rejected three times a week, which was tough. It’s mentally challenging.”
As “Coronation Street” continues to air Monday through Friday at 8:30 PM on ITV1 and ITVX, fans are left wondering: what other surprises might be hiding in the cast’s past?
