Richard Hillman

For the Australian poet, see Richard Hillman (poet).

Richard Hillman
Coronation Street character
Brian Capron as Richard Hillman
Portrayed by	Brian Capron
Duration	2001–2003, 2024
First appearance	Episode 5060 20 June 2001 (2001-06-20)
Last appearance	Episode 11451 25 December 2024 (2024-12-25)
Classification	Former; regular
Introduced by	Jane Macnaught (2001)
In-universe information Occupation Financial adviser Businessman Spouse Marian Hillman (backstory) Patricia Hillman (backstory) Gail Platt (2002–2003) Stepchildren Nick Tilsley Sarah Platt David Platt Other relatives Alma Halliwell (cousin) Kath Simpson (cousin)

Richard Charles Hillman is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street , portrayed by Brian Capron. Introduced on 20 June 2001, Richard initially appears as a respectable financial adviser who begins a relationship with Gail Platt. He later becomes one of the programme's best-known villains, with storylines involving fraud, manipulation and murder. Richard's original stint culminates in March 2003 when, after his crimes are exposed, he abducts Gail and her family and attempts to kill them in a murder–suicide by driving into a canal, where he dies while the others survive.

The character continued to be referenced in subsequent years. Capron appeared in the 2010 spin-off DVD Coronation Street: A Knight's Tale as Richard's brother, Dickie. ^[1] In December 2024, Capron briefly reprised the role in a dream/vision sequence as part of Gail's exit storyline. ^[2]

Creation and development

Capron pictured in 2012

Capron said in an interview during the storyline that he enjoyed playing Richard because of the contrast between his outwardly ordinary persona and his darker side. ^[3] In a later retrospective interview, Capron said he worked to establish Richard as tender and trustworthy within Gail's family before revealing the character's violent behaviour, and recalled that the public response to the storyline included hostile reactions in everyday life. ^[4]

In early 2002, media reports suggested that Coronation Street would be removing multiple characters; Richard was among those speculated to be affected, although the reports were later denied. ^[5]

Storylines

Backstory

Before arriving in Weatherfield, Richard Hillman works as a financial adviser and is married twice. He and his first wife, Marian, attempt to have a child without success; the marriage ends and Marian later dies. Richard subsequently marries his second wife, Patricia, but the relationship breaks down after they learn that Richard is infertile, and they divorce.

2001–2003

Richard arrives in Weatherfield in 2001, attending the funeral of Alma Baldwin and claiming to be her cousin. He forms a relationship with Alma's friend Gail Platt and moves in with her, becoming close to her family, including her children Sarah and David.

Richard's financial activities attract suspicion from Norris Cole, and it emerges that Richard is involved in questionable property and investment schemes. During a dispute, Richard's business partner Duggie Ferguson suffers a serious fall; Richard leaves him to die and later steals money from him. When Patricia reappears and threatens to expose Richard's dealings, he kills her on a building site and conceals her body. Richard and Gail marry in 2002.

As Richard's finances worsen, he targets Gail's mother, Audrey Roberts, believing her assets could resolve his problems. He manipulates the family into doubting Audrey's judgement, including convincing Gail that Audrey is unwell and unreliable, and he later attempts to kill Audrey by setting her house on fire. Audrey survives and becomes convinced that Richard is dangerous, repeatedly trying to warn Gail and alert the police, but is initially dismissed.

Richard later attacks Emily Bishop and murders Maxine Peacock with a crowbar when interrupted, attempting to frame Sarah's then-boyfriend Aiden Critchley for the crime. Audrey remains suspicious, while Richard continues to maintain a façade within the community. Eventually Gail begins to notice inconsistencies in Richard's stories and evidence linking him to the crimes. In February 2003, Gail confronts Richard and he confesses. Gail reports him to the police, and Patricia's body is recovered, confirming Richard as a murderer.

Richard goes on the run as details of his fraud and violence become public. Gail faces hostility in Weatherfield, including from neighbours Richard has financially exploited. After a period of apparent recovery for the family, Richard returns to Weatherfield and abducts Gail, Sarah, David and Sarah's baby daughter Bethany, intending to kill them and himself. After a pursuit, Richard drives the family car into a canal. Gail and the others escape and survive, while Richard dies. Gail later identifies his body and attends his funeral.

2024 return

On Christmas Eve 2024, Gail experiences a vision of Richard on the eve of her wedding to Jesse Chadwick. Richard attempts to unsettle her, but Gail rejects him; it is later revealed to have been a dream sequence. Gail proceeds to marry Jesse and leave Weatherfield. ^[2]

Reception and legacy

The character of Richard Hillman proved to be successful with viewers and attracted extensive media coverage. On 13 January 2003, an estimated 15.3 million viewers watched the first episode of a double-bill, with 15.6 million watching the instalment in which Richard murdered long-standing character Maxine Peacock; the broadcasts were linked to a reported surge in electricity use after transmission. ^[6] The two-hander confession episode on 24 February 2003 attracted an average of 17.2 million viewers for the first instalment, with the second averaging 17.6 million and peaking at 19.4 million. ^[7] On 12 March 2003, 19.4 million viewers watched Richard drive the Platt family into the canal, helping make Coronation Street the most-watched UK television programme of 2003. ^[8]

In a 2023 interview, Capron recalled receiving hostile reactions from members of the public during and after the storyline, which he said affected his day-to-day life while the character was on screen. ^[4]

At the 2003 British Soap Awards, Capron won awards including Best Actor and Villain of the Year, while the storyline received multiple honours. ^[9] In a 2003 TVTimes poll, Richard was voted the top soap villain of all time. ^[10]

See also

• List of soap opera villains

References

1. "Tricky Dicky's going back to Coronation St". What to Watch. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
2. "Gail has a visit from the ghost of Christmas past". ITV. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
3. "Actor Brian Capron on "Corrie's" Richard". Digital Spy. 17 August 2002. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
4. Hogan, Michael (6 February 2023). "'Someone threw a brick at my car': what's it like to play a terrible TV villain?". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
5. "Street axes further eight characters". Digital Spy. 7 January 2002. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
6. England, Ian (14 January 2003). "Entertainment | Street killer attracts 15m viewers". BBC News. Archived from the original on 17 June 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
7. "Street drama hits ratings high". BBC News. 25 February 2003. Archived from the original on 7 March 2006. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
8. "ITV1's Street heads 2003 ratings". BBC News. 7 January 2004. Archived from the original on 28 June 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
9. "Street sweeps soap awards". BBC News. 10 May 2003. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
10. "Corrie killer voted top soap villain". BBC News. 4 March 2003. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2026.

External links

• Corrie.net profile of Richard Hillman