Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon recently shared a personal update with her fans, declaring herself “ready” for the autumn season after a summer that typically leaves her feeling melancholy. The actress, a familiar face on British television for a quarter of a century, is best known for her compelling portrayal of Maria Windass – née Sutherland and Connor – in the popular ITV soap. Having made her debut back in 2000, Longchambon famously secured the coveted role after a competitive audition process, reportedly beating out other notable personalities like Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh and Hear’Say star Suzanne Shaw. Her character, Maria, was originally introduced as a kennelmaid at Sutherland’s Kennels, quickly integrating into the fabric of Weatherfield life when she accepted a marriage proposal from Tyrone Dobbs atop Blackpool Tower. Throughout her remarkable tenure, Longchambon has taken only two brief hiatuses from the soap, both for maternity leave in late 2009 and 2015, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the role and the show.

Away from the dramatic cobbles of Weatherfield, Samia frequently engages with her fanbase, offering glimpses into her real life. Recently, she provided insights into her summer break, expressing a newfound readiness to embrace the cooler, autumnal months. Taking to Instagram on Thursday, September 5th, Longchambon posted a stylish mirror selfie, dressed in a black and white striped jumper, a black leather mini skirt, tights, and boots. Accompanying the image, the mum-of-two penned a reflective caption for her thousands of followers: “September. Kids are back in school, I’m making bone broth and the sweaters are out.. it’s like summer never happened. But I don’t hate it. I do usually feel sad when the summer holidays end but maybe because we had a decent summer weather wise, I don’t feel cheated out of a season. So bring on the Cinnamon lattes, blankets and home made soups.. I’m ready for Autumn.” This declaration followed a sun-drenched summer holiday in Greece, where Samia and her husband, Sylvain Longchambon – a professional skater renowned for his appearances on Dancing on Ice – enjoyed a picturesque getaway in Corfu. She shared a series of idyllic snaps from their trip, including a romantic boat ride with Sylvain, a breathtaking sunset, and herself smiling in a turquoise patterned bikini paired with brown shorts. Her post, captioned with the joyful sentiment “Had a Mamma Mia moment on a cute boat in Corfu. The last pic might be the best I’ve ever taken of a sunset.. kefalonia summer25 greece,” garnered an outpouring of appreciative comments from co-stars like Sally Ann Matthews (Jenny Connor), Sally Carman-Duttine (Abi Webster), and Emmerdale’s Michelle Hardwick (Vanessa Woodfield), all praising her stunning appearance. Her affectionate bond with Sylvain was further highlighted when she celebrated their nine years of marriage on Instagram Stories, playfully captioning a shirtless photo of him: “It’s a tough job but I crack on with it.”

While Samia Longchambon enjoys a harmonious personal life, her on-screen alter ego, Maria Windass, has navigated a quarter-century of relentless drama, heartache, and complex relationships, solidifying her status as one of Coronation Street’s most enduring and multifaceted characters. From her initial introduction as an innocent kennelmaid, Maria quickly endeared herself to viewers with her compassionate nature and hopeful romanticism. Her early storylines saw her fall for Tyrone Dobbs, eventually marrying him in a fairytale proposal. However, this period of relative normalcy was short-lived, setting the stage for a tumultuous romantic history that would define much of her character’s journey on the cobbles.

One of Maria’s most defining and heartbreaking storylines began with her ill-fated affair with Liam Connor, the brother of her best friend, Carla Connor. This clandestine romance, fueled by passion and forbidden desire, led to Maria becoming pregnant. The secret eventually came to light, causing immense pain and disruption to those involved, particularly Carla and Liam’s wife, Maria. The tragedy escalated when Liam was killed in a hit-and-run orchestrated by Tony Gordon, an event that left Maria a heartbroken single mother, grieving the loss of her child’s father while carrying his unborn son, Liam Jr. This period irrevocably changed Maria, hardening her in some ways, yet also cementing her fierce protective instincts as a mother. Her subsequent struggles as a single parent, grappling with loss and betrayal, resonated deeply with audiences, showcasing Longchambon’s powerful dramatic capabilities.

Following Liam’s death, Maria’s romantic life continued to be fraught with complications and unusual turns. She found love again with Nick Tilsley, a relationship that eventually saw her explore her bisexuality during a brief but significant romance with Marcus Dent, a storyline that was praised for its sensitive portrayal of identity and modern relationships within a traditional soap setting. Despite various attempts at finding lasting happiness, Maria often found herself entangled in the lives of others, or falling for men who, despite their charm, carried significant baggage. Her relationship with Luke Britton, for instance, offered a period of stability, only to end in devastating tragedy when Luke was murdered by the nefarious Pat Phelan, leaving Maria once again to contend with profound grief and the lingering trauma of violence.

However, perhaps her most impactful and morally complex relationship in recent years has been with Gary Windass. What began as a seemingly supportive friendship during difficult times soon spiralled into a deep, passionate, and dangerously entangled romance. Maria found herself drawn into Gary’s increasingly murky world, unknowingly becoming complicit in his dark secrets. Gary, burdened by the murder of loan shark Rick Neelan and his various other criminal enterprises, went to extreme lengths to protect Maria and their family, often putting her in perilous situations without her full knowledge. Their marriage, built on a foundation of Gary’s lies and a desperate desire for a fresh start, has been perpetually shadowed by his past actions. Maria’s unwavering loyalty to Gary, even as she gradually uncovered the extent of his deceit, has forced her to confront her own moral boundaries, portraying a character often torn between her innate goodness and her fierce love for her flawed husband and their blended family.

Beyond her tumultuous romantic entanglements, Maria has also evolved into a more community-minded figure in recent years. Embracing a role as a local councillor, she has channeled her compassion and determination into addressing pressing social issues within Weatherfield. Notably, her passionate campaign against air pollution, triggered by concerns for her son Liam’s asthma, showcased a new facet of her character: a vocal advocate for environmental causes and the well-being of her community. This shift has allowed Maria to step beyond being solely defined by her relationships, demonstrating her capacity for growth, leadership, and a broader commitment to making a positive impact.

Through a quarter of a century on screen, Samia Longchambon has imbued Maria Windass with an enduring spirit, portraying a character who, despite facing an almost endless string of misfortunes and heartbreaks, consistently finds the strength to pick herself up and fight for her loved ones and her beliefs. From an innocent kennelmaid to a grieving widow, a single mother, a troubled partner, and now a conscientious local councillor, Maria’s journey is a testament to resilience. As Samia embraces the changing seasons in her personal life, fans continue to be captivated by Maria’s unfolding narrative, a saga that remains as central and vital to the enduring appeal of Coronation Street as the cobbled streets themselves.