Jim McDonald (originally credited as MacDonald) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Charles Lawson. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 27 October 1989. He appeared as a regular character from 1989 to 2000, and made brief comebacks between 2003 and 2018.
Jim was introduced in 1989 along with his wife Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard), and their two teenage sons Andy (Nicholas Cochrane) and Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).
His storylines have often revolved around his family relationships and various crimes, which have resulted in several stints in prison. Early storylines for the character saw Jim and Liz's newborn daughter Katie die shortly after birth, followed by an alcohol addiction which led to domestic violence and the collapse of his marriage, as well as a near fatal fight with his son Steve, which resulted in temporary paralysis, as well as a one-night stand with Steve's ex-girlfriend Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin). Jim had a brief relationship with Gwen Davies (Annie Hulley), before remarrying Liz and then being imprisoned for the manslaughter of Jez Quigley (Lee Boardman), in retaliation for a near fatal attack on Steve.
Later storylines have included Jim escaping from prison, Liz divorcing him for a second time, his attack on Liz's new husband Vernon Tomlin (Ian Reddington), being imprisoned for attempted robbery of a building society, being diagnosed with the degenerative illness myotonic dystrophy, and concocting a plan to swindle Liz out of her money by pretending he had found their daughter Katie. Jim died off-screen in March 2026 as part of Steve's storyline.
Development
Original stint Lawson was offered a role in Coronation Street in 1989 but turned it down. The following year, producers planned to introduce the McDonald family; the casting department approached Lawson again, and he accepted the part of Jim.
In 1999, Lawson announced his intention to leave the show. He later revealed that his decision was based on Jim's "improbable plot lines". He believed that writers were struggling to find stories for him, and feared his character may have been killed off had he not left. Lawson agreed to part company with the show and see what happened in the near future.
Reintroductions Lawson returned to film guest appearances in 2003. The storyline had Jim escaping from prison to confront his wife, Liz (Beverley Callard), over a supposed affair. The duo decide to run away to Ireland, but the police managed to rearrest him before they are able to escape. In July 2007, it was reported that Lawson had agreed to return to filming in October that year for a special Christmas storyline. Lawson again reprised the role so Jim could attend Steve's wedding to Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly). Lawson has said that he is happy to return any time there are 'juicy storylines' available.
On 11 April 2014, it was announced that Lawson had again agreed to reprise the role. He was signed to an initial three-month contract, with the possibility of an extension. Halina Watts from the Daily Mirror reported that despite Jim still being in prison, serving out his sentence for committing armed robbery, he would still "cause havoc" upon his screen return.
Storylines 1989–2000 Jim first arrives in Coronation Street in October 1989 with his wife Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard) and two teenage sons Steve (Simon Gregson) and Andy McDonald (Nicholas Cochrane), buying 11 Coronation Street from Alf (Bryan Mosley) and Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls). He begins a bike repair shop and later becomes a mechanic for Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) at MVB Motors.
Jim suffers a personal tragedy with the death of his baby daughter, Katie McDonald. He splits from Liz soon afterwards after she berates him for punching Steve during an argument. Liz goes to manage a nearby pub for a while, but they soon reconcile and give their marriage another chance. By 1994, Jim is drinking heavily and his angry nature developed rapidly. He finds himself arguing repeatedly with family and friends and his marriage hits new depths in 1996 when he hits her at a service station in Macclesfield and drives off after she admits having an affair with a former army colleague many years earlier. Jim is arrested soon afterwards for trying to break into their house and after further breaching the conditions of a restraining order, he spends several weeks in prison for burglary and criminal damage.
Jim had a one-night stand with his son Steve's ex-girlfriend, Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin). This results in Jim stopping her wedding to Alan McKenna (Glen Hugill) and confessing what had happened between them. As a result, Alan dumps Fiona as he now doubts that the child she is carrying is his. Steve is disgusted with Jim and reconciles with Fiona, helping her to raise her son, Morgan. Tests show that Jim's vasectomy hasn't failed and therefore Alan is Morgan's father but he still refuses to have any contact with Fiona or Morgan. Jim is badly injured after falling from scaffolding after a fight with Steve on a building site, and needs physiotherapy to regain his ability to walk. Jim then catches Liz in bed with Michael Wall (Dominic Rickhards), his physiotherapist, and throws her out. Jim and Liz soon agree to a divorce, and Liz leaves Coronation Street with Michael to start a new life in Milton Keynes. Steve is badly beaten by gangster Jez Quigley (Lee Boardman). Jim gets revenge by viciously beating Jez and leaving him unconscious in his flat. Jez later regains consciousness in hospital but collapses and dies from a ruptured Spleen after trying to suffocate Steve with a pillow while they are both in hospital. Jim gives himself up to the police and is remanded in prison to await trial. He remarries Liz and is later sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for manslaughter.
2003–2011 Three years into his sentence and a year before his scheduled release on licence, Jim escapes from prison as he fears that Liz is having an affair with her manager at a pub in Blackpool. He is soon recaptured and returns to prison. Jim makes an appearance in December 2004, phoning from prison to wish his family a happy Christmas. Jim fights with another inmate, cancelling his parole, as a result and he is ordered to stay in prison, as Liz gives up waiting for Jim and divorces him again.
Jim returns to the Street after being released early for good behaviour. On his return to the street, Jim seems to have changed for the better—a reformed character, teetotal and friendly to all. Steve gives him a job valeting cars at the cab firm and lets him see his granddaughter, Amy Barlow (Amber Chadwick). However, Jim is upset about Liz's upcoming wedding to drummer, Vernon Tomlin (Ian Reddington), and eventually it gets the better of him. On Liz and Vernon's wedding day, Jim gives Vernon a severe beating after Vernon launches at him and hits Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) in the process. Steve breaks up the fight, and in no uncertain terms tells his father he is no longer welcome, forcing Jim to leave the Street.
Jim returns for Steve's wedding to Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly) along with Andy. When Becky is arrested and accused of dealing drugs, Jim finds out about Slug (Marshall Lancaster), the person who planted the drugs, and suggests to Steve that he give copies of Slug's photos to taxi businesses around Weatherfield, in the hope someone will recognise him and leaves again with Andy.
Jim returns to celebrate his 55th birthday with Steve. He meets Becky's nephew, Max Turner (Harry McDermott), and catches up with Kevin in The Rovers. He also attends the funeral of old friend Jack Duckworth (Bill Tarmey). The next day, Jim sends Liz some flowers which are intercepted by her new boyfriend, Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies), who goes to The Flying Horse and warns Jim to stay away. Jim later goes to The Rovers and bumps into Owen again, goading him about the flowers and telling Steve what Owen has done. On 1 December 2010, Jim returns again and is disappointed that Liz is not there. He clashes with Owen again, and then later phones Steve, telling him that he is in hospital after getting into a fight in a pub.
Steve visits him, along with Owen, and after Steve has gone, Owen hints to Jim that he is behind the attack. When Steve goes to collect Jim from the hospital, Jim warns Steve that Owen was behind the beating, and asks him to watch out for his and Liz's safety.
In March 2011, Jim meets Liz in a hotel bar. They have a drink, and Liz tells him about Steve and Becky; he suggests that she buy the pub from Steve. Jim later walks Liz to her room and it is revealed that they had a one-night stand whilst in Spain. They agree to give their complicated marriage another go. He finds out that Steve and Becky bought a child called Max from Becky's sister, Kylie Turner (Paula Lane). The next day, he goes to The Rovers to speak to them and they tell him that they have had a fallout with Liz. Jim later meets up with Liz in the café and tells her that he thinks Becky is controlling Steve. In April, Jim agrees to buy the Rovers, which costs £120,000 in total and would allow Becky and Steve to flee the country. After numerous failed attempts to raise the money, he asks Kevin, who has just won the lottery, to put forward the cash and become a silent partner in the pub, which Kevin agrees to think about. Confident that things are finally falling into place for him, he joins Liz behind the bar.
The next day, he visits Kevin at the garage, but is stunned when Kevin reveals that he feels the venture is too risky. Jim reveals to Kevin how badly he needs the money, but despite begging, Kevin will not budge. A desperate Jim then thinks he has no alternative other than to rob a bank, and calls an old friend to receive a gun.
He later goes into the bank, and pulls out the gun to the receptionist. She gets him the money but also hits the panic button, which automatically alerts the police that something is wrong. He almost gets out of the bank successfully but bumps into a woman as he quickly paces out, revealing his gun to everyone. Chaos ensues, and as he attempts to calm everybody down, he is struck on the head with a chair. He furiously punches the attacker but before he can leave, he sees the police arrive outside and realises that he has no chance of escape.
Jim takes everyone in the bank hostage and tells a policeman over the phone that he will only co-operate if they get Liz to come down to the bank, to which they agree. After much talking, Liz manages to convince Jim to let the hostages go and come out. The police promptly arrest Jim and he shouts 'Elizabeth, I'm sorry!' to Liz as he is handcuffed in a police car.
The following day, Liz visits Jim and tells him she will be there when he comes out, and joins Andy in Spain. Steve visits Jim to inform him Liz has left, but will attend the trial. Steve visits Jim in custody and tells him that Liz has gone back to Spain. In October, Jim is sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
2014 Jim is tracked down in prison by fellow inmate Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne). Jim has the nickname "The Landlord" in prison, due to his reputation of illegally selling alcohol to other prisoners. Jim agrees to give him booze, but then proceeds to cruelly blackmail Peter in a bid to get in contact with his son Steve in order to repair their relationship. Jim also wants to reconcile with Liz and be a part of his granddaughter Amy's (now played by Elle Mulvaney) life. Liz later visits Jim in prison and tells him that she and Steve want nothing more to do with him, and that he lost his family years ago. A short while later, Jim finds Peter passed out from the booze he gave him, and saves his life by calling the medical services.