Kirk Sutherland is a
fictional character
In fiction, a character (or speaker, in poetry) is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, play, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or based on a real-life perso ...
from the
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies.
** Britishness, the British identity and common culture
* British English, ...
ITV
ITV or iTV may refer to:
ITV
*Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of:
** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...
soap opera
A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...
''
Coronation Street''. The character first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 22 May 2000, played by an uncredited actor and originally referred to as Mark. He has been played by
Andrew Whyment
Andrew "Andy" Whyment (born 2 April 1981) is an English actor, known for portraying the role of Darren Sinclair-Jones in the BBC sitcom ''The Royle Family'' and Kirk Sutherland on '' Coronation Street''.
Career
Whyment trained at the Laine John ...
since October 2000.
Storylines
Kirk first appears when
Tyrone Dobbs
Tyrone Dobbs is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. Portrayed by Alan Halsall, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 30 November 1998 and is still a cast member over 20 year ...
(
Alan Halsall
Alan David Halsall (born 11 August 1982) is an English actor, best known for portraying the role of Tyrone Dobbs in ''Coronation Street'', a role he has played since 1998.
Early life
Halsall was brought up in Walkden, Salford and attended Wal ...
) mistakenly believes that he is
Maria Sutherland
Maria Connor (also Sutherland) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', portrayed by Samia Longchambon. The character made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 19 May 2000. During her tim ...
's (
Samia Ghadie
Samia Maxine Longchambon (''née'' Ghadie, previously Smith; born 13 July 1982) is an English actress. She has played the role of Maria Connor in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' since 2000.
Early life
Samia Ghadie was born in Eccles ...
) boyfriend. Maria explains that Kirk (whom she refers to as "Mark") is her brother. Kirk briefly leaves Weatherfield after the mistake, but shortly returns soon after. He goes for a drink with local resident
Steve (
Simon Gregson
Simon Alan Gregory (born 2 October 1974), better known by his stage name, Simon Gregson, is an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Steve McDonald in the long-running ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' since 1989. He has re ...
).
Kirk reappears after being kicked out of
The Rovers Return
The Rovers Return Inn is a fictional pub in the long-running British soap opera ''Coronation Street''.
The Rovers Return occupies a corner of the fictional Coronation Street and Rosamund Street set location in the show. The pub was built by ...
by landlord
Fred Elliott
Fred Elliott is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' played by John Savident. He made his first appearance during the episode airing on 26 August 1994. Savident quit the role in 2005 and Fred died on-scre ...
(
John Savident
John Savident (born 21 January 1938) is a retired British actor, known for his numerous television roles, including his portrayal of Fred Elliott in the soap opera '' Coronation Street'' from 1994-2006. He is also known for his performance as ...
), who believes him to be too young to drink. He is the older brother of Maria, with whom he owns Weatherfield Kennels. Kirk is good friends with Tyrone and
Jason Grimshaw
Jason Grimshaw is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. Portrayed by Ryan Thomas, the character first appeared on screen on 25 December 2000. It was announced in October 2015 that Thomas had quit the role ...
(
Ryan Thomas
Ryan may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Ryan (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name)
*Ryan (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
Places Australia
* Division of Ryan, an electo ...
) and an ex-boyfriend of
Fiz Stape (
Jennie McAlpine
Jennie Elizabeth McAlpine (born 12 February 1984) is an English television actress, comedian and businesswoman. She is known for her role as Fiz Brown in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. She also took part in the seventeenth series o ...
) whom he had met at a flat-decorating party. He is also friends with
Les Battersby
Leslie Nelson "Les" Battersby (formerly Battersby-Brown) is a fictional character of the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', who appeared from 1997 to 2007, played by Bruce Jones. The character is best known for his outspoken opinion ...
(
Bruce Jones), with whom he once lived, acting as best man at his wedding to
Cilla Brown (
Wendi Peters
Wendi Louise Peters (born 29 February 1968) is an English actress. Peters began her acting career in theatre, with appearances in various productions including ''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1991), ''Guys and Dolls'' (1991), ''Into the Woods'' (199 ...
). He also grew quite close to Cilla's son,
Chesney
Chesney is an English surname or given name and a French surname It is derived from Old French ''chesnai'' ("oak grove").Sam Aston
Samuel David Aston (born 7 June 1993) is an English actor, who has portrayed the role of Chesney Brown on the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' since 2003.
Career
Aston made his television debut at the age of five, as an extra in ''Eddi ...
), while he was with Fiz. Kirk dumps Fiz after he finds out that she had spent the night at her ex-boyfriend Tyrone's house.
Kirk meets Thelma Clegg, who hires him to shampoo her poodle. She is so impressed that she asks him to call round to her house regularly. Fiz is suspicious and follows Kirk to Thelma's house where she can see Kirk being entertained by Thelma belly-dancing in her living room. Kirk professes his innocence and says Thelma would not let him out of the house. Kirk loses the kennels, following a lawsuit over the accidental
neutering of a pedigree specimen, and within a week proposes to his girlfriend, Fiz. She dumps him immediately and tells him that she no longer wants to be with him. She leaves Kirk to be with her first love,
John Stape
John Stape is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by actor Graeme Hawley. He made his first on-screen appearance during the episode airing on 6 May 2007. The character departed on 3 June 2011 after four y ...
(
Graeme Hawley
Graeme Hawley (born 28 November 1975) is an English actor. He is best known for his role as John Stape in the British soap ''Coronation Street''. Career
Hawley graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1996 with a degree in Drama, b ...
), leaving Kirk feeling broken and humiliated. Later that month, Kirk and
Jamie Baldwin
Jamie Baldwin is a Character (arts), fictional character from the Television in the United Kingdom, British ITV (TV network), ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', played by Rupert Hill. He first appeared in 2004 and left in 2008.
Storylines
S ...
(
Rupert Hill
Rupert Sinclair Hill (born 15 June 1978) is an English actor. He is known for his roles in several soap operas.
Hill started with small roles on television. He appeared in an episode of ''EastEnders'' as Robbie's half-brother Kevin Bolton, an ...
) rescue
Claire Peacock
Claire Jane Peacock (also Casey) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. Portrayed by Julia Haworth, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 9 April 2003, as the new nanny of es ...
(
Julia Haworth
Julia Haworth is an English actress. She is known for playing the role of Claire Peacock in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' from 2003 to 2011.
Early and personal life
Haworth was born in Burnley, Lancashire. She attended St Christo ...
), Kirk's next-door-neighbour from her burning house. As a reward, Claire's husband,
Ashley Ashley is a place name derived from the Old English words '' æsc'' (“ash”) and '' lēah'' (“meadow”). It may refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Ashley (given name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name ...
(
Steven Arnold) gives Kirk a job at his butcher's shop. After Cilla receives £45,000 for a necklace, she lets Kirk know first and leaves the street for
Las Vegas
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
. Kirk is left to look after her son, Chesney. Kirk fails to provide adequate care for Chesney, and he is subsequently taken into
foster care
Foster care is a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home ( residential child care community, treatment center, etc.), or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a "foster parent" or with a family ...
. When Fiz returns from a holiday, she is furious but forgives Kirk. She manages to get Chesney home but she has to move in with them, making Kirk believe she still has feelings for him.
Kirk leaves to visit his parents in
Cyprus
Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is ge ...
for several weeks. In the days leading up to his return, Fiz dreads him coming home, while she is providing a home for Chesney. On his return, he breaks the news that he has a new girlfriend called
Julie Carp
Julie Carp (also Jones) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', played by Katy Cavanagh. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 25 April 2008 and was originally introduced as a new g ...
(
Katy Cavanagh
Kathryn Sarah Collins Jupe (born 12 December 1973), known professionally as Katy Cavanagh, is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Julie Carp in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' from 2008 to 2015. She also had reg ...
), whom he fell in love with in Cyprus. Fiz has taken a dislike to Julie, who then moved in with them at their house.
Kirk's nephew Paul Jr is
stillborn
Stillbirth is typically defined as fetal death at or after 20 or 28 weeks of pregnancy, depending on the source. It results in a baby born without signs of life. A stillbirth can result in the feeling of guilt or grief in the mother. The ter ...
and he consoles his grieving sister. His brother-in-law
Liam Connor
Liam Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', played by Rob James-Collier from 2006 to 2008.
Storylines
Liam first appeared on ''Coronation Street'' in August 2006 when he and nephew Ryan ( Ben ...
(
Rob James-Collier
Robert James-Collier (born 23 September 1976) (known professionally as Rob James-Collier) is a British actor. He is known for his roles as Thomas Barrow in ''Downton Abbey'' and as Liam Connor in ''Coronation Street''.
Early life
James-Col ...
) dies in a hit and run incident and his parents return to comfort their daughter over the loss of her husband. In November 2008, Kirk, Chesney and later Fiz visit Cilla in
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
, only to find she's up to her old tricks again. She enters a competition for $500,000 and Kirk poses as a mentally disabled boy, Chesney as a paralysed boy, Cilla's new "Les" as "old" Les and Fiz as a nun. While on a safari, Kirk saves them from a bush near wild animals. The "family" lose the competition when Chesney reveals Cilla's lies after she lied about 'returning' to Weatherfield. In March of 2009, Julie admits she thinks she's pregnant, but it turns out to be a false alarm. After this, Kirk begins to see that they are drifting apart, as they are too different, and he ends their relationship. However, Kirk supports Julie after the revelation that
Colin Grimshaw
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' in 2008, by order of first appearance.
Tina McIntyre
Tina McIntyre, played by Michelle Keegan, made her first appearance on 7 January 2008, ...
(
Edward DeSouza),
Eileen
Eileen ( or ) is an Irish feminine given name anglicised from Eibhlín and may refer to:
People Artists
*Eileen Agar (1899–1991), British Surrealist painter and photographer
*Eileen Fisher (born 1950), clothing retailer and designer
*Eileen ...
's (
Sue Cleaver
Susan Owen ( Cleaver; born 2 September 1963) is an English actress. She is best known for portraying the role of Eileen Grimshaw on the ITV soap opera, ''Coronation Street'', which she has played since 2000.
Early and personal life
Cleaver wa ...
) father, is also her father.
Kirk decides to move out of No. 5, as he feels he is in the way of Fiz's life. He packs his bags and leaves, only to turn up next door at Maria's. A few weeks later, he decides to pack and move in with Tyrone and
Molly (
Vicky Binns
Victoria Jane Binns (born 27 August 1982) is an English actress, known for her two roles in the two veteran ITV soap operas ''Emmerdale'' and '' Coronation Street'' respectively. She had a lead role in ''Von Trapped'' opposite Caroline Quentin ...
). He then moves out and back into Maria's when she goes to stay in Ireland with the baby at Liam's parent's house after
Tony Gordon
Tony Gordon is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', portrayed by actor Gray O'Brien. The character first appeared on-screen on 16 September 2007. He appeared as a regular character for two years befor ...
(
Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien (born Gerard O'Brien, 11 August 1968) is a Scottish television and film actor, best known for his portrayal of the villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in the popular ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' from 2007–2010 ...
) admits to having Liam killed. Kirk applies for a job at ''Underworld'' as a machinist but ultimately loses out to
Izzy Armstrong
Izzy Armstrong is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', portrayed by Cherylee Houston. The character first appears on-screen on 16 April 2010; she is introduced as a new love interest for Kirk Sutherland ...
(
Cherylee Houston
Cherylee Martina Houston (born 20 August 1974) is a British actress. She grew up in Morecambe, Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. She is currently playing Izzy Armstrong in '' Coronation Street'', a role she has portrayed since April 2010. She ...
). However, owner
Carla Connor
Carla Barlow (also Connor and Gordon) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Alison King. She made her first appearance on screen during the episode airing on 1 December 2006 and introduced ...
(
Alison King
Alison Rosamund King (born 3 March 1973) is an English actress and model. She is known for her roles as Lynda Block in the Sky One drama series ''Dream Team'' (1998–2003, 2005–2007), and Carla Connor in the long-running ITV soap opera ''C ...
) offers him a job as a delivery driver. Kirk soon forms a strong friendship with Izzy, and as a result, his feelings for her grow stronger. When
Gary Windass
Gary Windass is a fictional character from the British soap opera '' Coronation Street'', portrayed by Mikey North. He made his first appearance on November 14, 2008, the same episode where his parents Eddie (Steve Huison) and Anna Windass (De ...
(
Mikey North
Michael "Mikey" North (born 27 September 1986) is an English actor best known for his role as Gary Windass in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' since 2008.
Early life
North was born in the Cayton area of Scarborough and began acting ...
) is arrested for assaulting a lad who was hassling Izzy, Kirk makes a false statement to the police that it was him who committed the crime. As a result, Gary's military career is not put in jeopardy and this is a relief to Izzy, who has started to harbour feelings for Gary, much to Kirk's dismay. The charges against Kirk are dropped to a lack of sufficient evidence, and he is a free man.
Kirk helps Tyrone come to terms with the fact that baby Jack is not his son as he and Maria visit him on Christmas Day. He is later kicked out along with Maria by a frustrated and angry Tyrone. Kirk attends
Peter Barlow's (
Chris Gascoyne) wedding renewal to
Leanne Battersby
Leanne Battersby (also Tilsley and Barlow) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Jane Danson. It was announced in February 1997 that a "family from hell" would be introduced to ''Coronation ...
(
Jane Dawson
Jane Elizabeth Anne Dawson is a British academic and historian. Her specialism is early modern history within the British Isles and the Protestant reformation.
Dawson is Professor Emerita of Reformation history at the University of Edinburgh a ...
) he arrives with Maria and her boyfriend
Chris Gray (
Will Thorp
Will Thorp (born 21 June 1977) is an English actor.
Early life
Thorp attended St Augustine's Catholic College in Trowbridge. He studied at Bath College and joined Musical Youth Theatre Company. Thorp was also a member of the National Youth T ...
) he informs Peter that everyone has arrived and that they can start the ceremony. Kirk, Tyrone, Gary, and Tommy abduct Leon Southam, whose girlfriend is harassing Fiz in prison. They hold him hostage in the empty butcher's shop and figure out how they will get out of it, only for Norris to find Leon and perform a citizen's arrest on him. Leon is sent back to jail for violating his parole and Norris is hailed as a hero, only for his fifteen minutes to expire immediately when a drunken Carla crashes into the bookies and almost kills
Stella Price
Stella Price is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Michelle Collins. Collins' casting was announced in April 2011 and she began filming her scenes in May. The actress commuted from north L ...
(
Michelle Collins
Michelle Danielle Collins (born 28 May 1962) is an English actress and TV presenter, best known for her roles in the British soap operas ''EastEnders'' and ''Coronation Street''.
Collins played Cindy Beale in the BBC soap ''EastEnders'' fro ...
).
In July, Kirk is put in charge of helping colleague Michelle's son
Ryan Connor
Ryan Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. He first appeared on-screen during the episode broadcast on 30 August 2006. The character was initially portrayed by actor Ben Thompson from his introd ...
(
Sol Heras
Sol Heras (born 8 October 1987) is an English actor. He was the second actor to portray the character Ryan Connor in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', from 2012 until 2013. He replaced Ben Thompson, and in turn was replaced by Ryan Pr ...
) in the packing department at ''Underworld'' as Michelle is punishing Ryan for an incident involving setting fire to
Steve McDonald's (
Simon Gregson
Simon Alan Gregory (born 2 October 1974), better known by his stage name, Simon Gregson, is an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Steve McDonald in the long-running ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' since 1989. He has re ...
) house. While left alone, Ryan takes advantage and fakes a severe injury in order to take time off. Michelle and
Rob Donovan
Rob Donovan is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', portrayed by Marc Baylis He was introduced as the brother of Carla Connor (Alison King). He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadc ...
(
Marc Baylis
Marc Baylis (born 3 April 1978) is a British stage, television and film actor. He trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where he was awarded the Stage Scholarship. He is best known for his role as Rob Donovan in '' Coronation Street'' f ...
) take Ryan to hospital, but no injuries are shown. However, later, Ryan announces that he plans to sue Underworld. Months later, Kirk meets
Beth Tinker
Beth Sutherland (also Tinker) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Lisa George. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 5 August 2011.
Storylines
Beth previ ...
(
Lisa George
Lisa George (born 15 October 1970) is an English actress. She has played the role of Beth Tinker in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' since 2011. In 2020, George competed in the twelfth series of ''Dancing on Ice'', finishing in fifth ...
) and begins a relationship with her. In January 2015, Kirk and Beth get married in a 1980s themed wedding, and then spend the night together at a posh hotel, as a wedding gift from Carla. In June 2016, Kirk accompanies Beth to her school reunion in which Beth insults Kirk in front of an old school rival. Kirk then moves in with
Norris Cole
Norris Gene Cole II (born October 13, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League. A 6' 2" point guard, he is a two-time NBA champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 with the Miami ...
(
Malcolm Hebden
Malcolm Hebden (born 21 December 1939) is an English former actor. He is known for portraying the role of Norris Cole in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' on and off between 1994 and 2020. Aged 81, he announced his retirement from act ...
) as Norris is lonely, they become very close as they spend several evenings playing board games. Beth eventually wins Kirk back in a plan set up by Chesney and girlfriend Sinead.
Casting
Whyment resigned from ''Coronation Street'' in September 2003, in order to appear in the latest addition to the ''
Carry On
Carry On may refer to:
* ''Carry On'' (franchise), a British comedy media franchise
*Carry-on luggage or hand luggage, luggage that is carried into the passenger compartment
* ''Carry On'' (film), a 1927 British silent film
* ''Carry On'' (novel), ...
'' series - ''
Carry On London
The ''Carry On'' series is a long-running British sequence of comedy films, stage shows and television programmes produced between 1958 and 1992. Distributed by Anglo-Amalgamated from 1958 to 1966, and the Rank Organisation from 1967 to 1978, th ...
''. However, after the film's scripts were delayed, and amidst rumours that it would perform poorly, Whyment pulled out and returned to ''Coronation Street'' in a £60,000 deal.
In 2012, Whyment said that he was committed to staying with ''Coronation Street''. As he was in his eleventh year of playing the role and it remained "great"; he hoped it would be "a job for life".
Development
In 2013, it was announced that Kirk would start a romance with
Beth Tinker
Beth Sutherland (also Tinker) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Lisa George. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 5 August 2011.
Storylines
Beth previ ...
(
Lisa George
Lisa George (born 15 October 1970) is an English actress. She has played the role of Beth Tinker in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' since 2011. In 2020, George competed in the twelfth series of ''Dancing on Ice'', finishing in fifth ...
). Their relationship begins when Kirk rescues Beth from a date who becomes aggressive with her. Talking about the romance, Lisa George said "Usually the viewers only see Beth as the really gobby person in the factory. But there are some really nice, tender little moments in this storyline, and Beth is quite open and honest with Kirk. I think it's really nice that the audience will get to see that."
Reception
For his portrayal of Kirk, Whyment was awarded "Best Comedy Performance" at the 2003
British Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards (BSAs) are an annual awards ceremony in the United Kingdom which honours the best moments in British soap operas. The ceremony is televised on ITV and has been presented by Phillip Schofield since 2006. The trophies gi ...
. He won the award for the funniest character at 2004
''Inside Soap'' Awards. Laura Morgan of ''
All About Soap
''All About Soap'' was a fortnightly UK magazine founded in October 1999. It was released on Tuesdays. Storylines of the shows it covers are from soap operas shown in the United Kingdom and from Australia, including '' EastEnders'', '' Cor ...
'' wrote that she "simply could not imagine" Coronation Street without Kirk and his "gormless grin". In 2004, Ian Hyland of the ''
Sunday Mirror'' questioned whether there was a "better comic actor in Britain today than Andrew Whyment". Kirk and Beth's wedding was described as "possibly the tackiest event in soap all year" in the ''
Inside Soap Yearbook 2016''.
References
External links
Kirk Sutherlandat
itv.com
itv.com is the main website of ITV plc, the UK's largest commercial television broadcaster which operates 13 out of 15 regions on the ITV network under the ITV brand (or the UTV brand in Northern Ireland). The website offers online streaming, ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sutherland, Kirk
Coronation Street characters
Television characters introduced in 2000
Fictional factory workers
Fictional butchers
Fictional singers
Male characters in television