Anna Windass is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Debbie Rush. The character was introduced in the episode first broadcast on 14 November 2008. Rush announced her decision to leave the series in July 2017 and Anna departed in the episode first broadcast on 22 January 2018. She appeared in two further episodes first broadcast on 31 May to 1 June 2018.
Anna's many storylines have included a rocky relationship to her long-term partner Eddie Windass (Steve Huison); coping with their wayward son Gary's (Mikey North) decision to enroll into the army; getting embroiled in conflicts with the Platt family and Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor); embarking on a turbulent relationship with Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies) after her break-up with Eddie; adopting Faye Butler (Ellie Leach), who later alleges that Anna is abusing her; forming a close friendship with Faye's biological father Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine); coping with Faye's underage pregnancy; a romantic relationship with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) following Owen's departure; and getting severely burnt in a car explosion unwittingly caused by Gary's old rival David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd).
During this time, Anna suffered years of torment at the hands of her sworn archenemy Pat Phelan in what is her biggest story arc to date. Anna's ordeal with Phelan included getting sexually harassed by him, being raped after he blackmailed her into sleeping with him, facing bankruptcy as a result of his revenge campaign against her family, being publicly humiliated by Phelan on several occasions, and later getting wrongfully jailed when Phelan framed her for pushing his protege and Faye's boyfriend Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni) off a ladder. She was found guilty and sentenced to prison for five years, leading to her first departure in the show. However, the character was soon released off-screen after Phelan's crimes were finally exposed and eventually Anna returned for her two final episodes; the first on 31 May 2018 where she rescues Gary and his girlfriend Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) from Phelan's captivity, and the second on 1 June 2018 where she ultimately kills Phelan by stabbing him after he shot his daughter Nicola Rubinstein (Nicola Thorp) and local resident Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) in the climax of his reign of terror scenario.
Creation The character of Anna was created as part of a new family unit that new producer Kim Crowther was introducing to the soap opera, consisting of a mother, father, son and uncle. They were originally billed as a storyline device for established character David Platt. An ITV spokesperson said of the character and her onscreen family: "The Windass family are very rough and ready, always ducking and diving. Early on they get involved with David Platt when he helps to fit a new kitchen in the Windass family home. However, Anna thinks the work is shoddy and refuses to pay for it. David goes round, rips out the kitchen and sets fire to it outside the family's house." Rush said of their entrance and choice of surname for the family: "The Windasses are a very close family, who are just about on the wrong side of the law, but they mean well. And yes, I am prepared for some of the things people might shout at me in the street because of the name!" The character was originally called Donna Windass but was changed last minute to Anna Windass after a series of name changes to all the members of the family since their inception, but before appearing onscreen.
Auditions were held for the part of Anna, with actress Debbie Rush going on to get the part over a number of highly-rated actors. Of this Rush said: "I went for the casting a few months ago and then was called back for the screen test. When I got the part I couldn't believe it, I was thrilled to bits. I watched Corrie all the time growing up and all the family are tuning in now that I'm going to be in it. It's surreal, because the cast and characters are already part of your life just from watching it."
Development The character of Anna has been seen to differ from the rest of her family in terms of personality traits that are not present in the others. This is because she does not approve of the continuous line of scams her husband pulls, as well as the life of crime Len and Gary indulge in. Anna is often described as the only nice Windass.
Departure and return On 3 July 2017, it was announced that Rush had opted to leave the serial to pursue other roles, following nine years in the role. The actress will finish filming in late 2017, with Anna departing in January 2018. Rush explained that the decision to leave was "not made lightly", but she is looking forward to pursuing other roles. She added, "I love playing Anna and will miss working with the fantastic cast and crew." Kate Oates, the show's series producer, promised that writers are creating an "exciting" departure plot for Anna, which sees her "fighting for her family and tackling old enemies head-on." Oates commented, "It's always sad when a huge talent like Debbie Rush decides to move to pastures new." Additionally, a show spokesperson confirmed "plenty more drama" for the character before her departure and wished Rush "every success for the future". Rush's exit aired on 22 January 2018.
On 31 May 2018, Anna returned to the series as part of Phelan's exiting storyline. Her return had not been announced beforehand and was a surprise for the audience. She appeared in the episodes first broadcast on 31 May and 1 June 2018. Rush was glad that Anna's story did not end with her last departure as she felt they could not leave Anna imprisoned. On her reasons for leaving, Rush explained, "I didn't leave because I hated it, I left for a few different reasons and I loved going back." Rush had already agreed to reprise her role for the episodes when she left and had to decline other acting opportunities for the return. The actress liked returning for the episodes. After her departure, she continued to tweet about the show, which attracted the attention of her followers. Rush filmed her scenes over five days and when she entered the studios in her car, she had to hide so nobody saw her. In her final episodes, Anna kills Phelan after he shoots Nicola and Michelle and holds several residents hostage in the Bistro. Rush explained that Anna realises that Phelan is "pure evil" so decides to kill him before he kills her. She added, "I think in a moment of pure, frenzied anger and vengeance, she just picked the kitchen knife up and stabbed him. Then she was thrilled that she'd done it, because she could finally sleep." Rush hoped the audience would enjoy the storyline and believed that Anna's story had firmly ended.
Storylines Anna Windass first appears on screen with her long-term boyfriend Eddie (Steve Huison) when they refuse to pay builder Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale) for a kitchen refit. Joe's protege David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) then tries to force them to pay but they refuse. David then carries out his threat of retaliation by enlisting both his best friend Graeme Proctor (Craig Gazey) and Joe's daughter Tina (Michelle Keegan) to help set fire to the Windasses' kitchen. The trio succeed and they escape before Anna and Eddie's wayward son, Gary (Mikey North), could catch them.
Weeks later, however, the Windass family move into No. 6 Coronation Street with the rest of her family. She has a heart-to-heart with David's mother Gail (Helen Worth), who is also her new next-door neighbour and Joe's boyfriend, to make peace as she wants a fresh start in Coronation Street even though their families are feuding and convinces Eddie to make peace with Gail's partner, Joe. This ends badly at Christmas, as Gail's invitation for the Windasses to stop in for dinner soon leads to Joe throwing food at them and forcing them out of the house.
As the New Year in 2009 begins, Anna is dismayed as she senses Eddie sinking back into his con artist ways; she always objected to them and her character shows her desire to live a free life without stealing and scrounging money from society,. However, the feud between Gary and David grows more volatile and in March 2009 she is relieved when Gary is cleared of assaulting David in public; with Anna also attempting to convince both Gail and Tina to make David drop the charges. She is also seen breaking down on a number of occasions, trying to hold her family together.
In April 2009, Anna is given a job at the local café by owner Roy Cropper (David Neilson) and she manages to impress him with her work ethic; Roy's wife Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh) is initially sceptical but she too becomes impressed by Anna's services. Anna's friendship with Hayley strengthens when she takes the Croppers' side over being unhappy with Eddie after he steals and poses as Roy in a scam to receive free alcohol from the cash-and-carry.
In 2010, Anna is dismayed when Gary decides that he wants to join the army. She fears for his life on the front line, but eventually comes to terms with his career decision. However, Anna is later dismayed when Gary is reported as being AWOL; after she comforts him over his secret fears he returns to duty.
By then, Anna and Eddie are seeking to adopt a child. Anna's nephew, Rory visits while his parents are on holiday. Eddie is seen pushing Rory round in a pram, upsetting Becky as she thinks that Anna and Eddie have been given a child.
In early 2011, Anna is pleased when a young girl named Faye Butler (Ellie Leach) comes to stay with her and Eddie; so much so that the couple are given a view of becoming her foster parents. Faye is quite a troubled young girl and this causes a rift between Anna and Eddie as he becomes discouraged with fostering. Anna is adamant that she will support Faye, particularly after her biological mother is found dead, following a drug overdose. Eddie breaks the tragic news in quite a clumsy way to Faye and this angers Anna. Eventually, Eddie issues Anna with an ultimatum: him or Faye. Anna chooses Faye in the end and Eddie moves to Germany as a result.
Following Eddie's departure, Anna becomes romantically involved with Gary's boss Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies) and the two start a relationship with each other. Coincidentally, Gary has begun dating Owen's eldest daughter Izzy (Cherylee Houston) and this often leads to conflict between the two men. Anna is dismayed when she discovers that her landlord Jerry Morton (Michael Starke) is planning to sell No. 6. Unable to afford to buy the house, she is worried as Faye has finally found stability in her new home. Owen, much to Anna's surprise, buys the house and becomes her new landlord. This brings them closer together, making Faye jealous as she fears that Owen will take Anna away from her. Their relationship goes well, and Anna supports Owen after he discovers his younger daughter Katy (Georgia May Foote) is pregnant and later helps deliver her son Joseph on Christmas Eve 2011.