Corrie icon Katherine Kelly delivers EMOTIONAL MESSAGE as she stars in new Channel 4 drama

Channel 4 has shared a sneak peek at new crime thriller In Flight, starring ex-Coronation Street favourite Katherine Kelly and Top Boy’s Ashley Thomas.

The new six-part drama is due to begin airing on Tuesday, 12 August, and sees Katherine, famed for playing Becky McDonald in Coronation Street, take on the lead role of Jo Conran, a single mum and flight attendant.

She is joined by Rebel Moon star Stuart Martin, playing criminal gang member Cormac, as well as Ashley, playing Jo’s ex and customs officer Dom Delaney.

Making up the rest of the cast is Bronagh Waugh as Melanie, Harry Cadby as Sonny, Corinna Brown as Kayla and Ambreen Razia as Zara.

Filming for the highly anticipated series took place in Belfast earlier this year. In Flight was produced by Buccanneer Media, written and co-created by Mike Walden and Adam Randall, and produced by Brendan Mullin.

The synopsis reads: “As Jo becomes ensnared in the murky underworld of corruption and hired killers, she is forced to carry out their orders while desperately trying to find a way out.

“She turns to her ex, Dom, for help however, no matter how far Jo finds herself from her old life, her mission remains the same, to keep her son alive.

“Set against the fast-paced, high-pressure backdrop of international air travel, In Flight follows Jo’s relentless quest to protect her family while entangled in a dangerous criminal syndicate.”

First-look images released by Channel 4 see actress Katherine, 45, looking worlds away from her days in Weatherfield. She starred in Coronation Street from 2006 until 2012.

Many will also recognise the star Mr Selfridge, Happy Valley, Strike Back, Gentleman Jack, Innocent and Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

Co-creators Mike and Adam previously said of the series: “In Flight is our spin on the noir genre, a high stakes, stylish, romantic thriller with iconic characters and nerve-shredding action.

“Channel 4 is the perfect home for our story and we’re so excited to be collaborating with such a brilliant team. Jo is a character close to our hearts. She is an ordinary woman facing extraordinary odds. We can’t wait for audiences to meet her.”