The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street in 2008, by order of first appearance.

Tina McIntyre

Tina McIntyre, played by Michelle Keegan, made her first appearance on 7 January 2008, Tina cemented herself as the new "gobby goddess" of Weatherfield. Tina was initially introduced as a new girlfriend for established character, David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd). She was shortly joined by her father, Joe (Reece Dinsdale), who ended up marrying David's mother, Gail (Helen Worth). In February 2010, Joe died after faking his own death in an insurance scam, which devastated Tina.

Since then, Tina has highlighted issues such as perjury, abortion and surrogacy. She has had a few relationships, including ones with David, Graeme Proctor (Craig Gazey), Tommy Duckworth (Chris Fountain), Dr. Matt Carter (Oliver Mellor) and Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas). In May 2013, Tina gave birth to Jake Windass, whose biological parents are Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston) and Gary Windass (Mikey North), but Tina acted as a surrogate for the couple. Tina decided she wanted to keep the baby and name him after Joe, infuriating the Windasses and Anna (Debbie Rush) slapped Tina. Tina has also developed an unbreakable friendship with Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) since her first appearance in January 2008, although they have had their disagreements. In late 2013, Tina began an affair with Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne), who was married to Carla Connor (Alison King). Tina's boss Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard) and her son Steve (Simon Gregson) eventually found out. Tina has also had many feuds, particularly with Kylie Platt (Paula Lane), Kirsty Soames (Natalie Gumede) and Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford).

In May 2014, Peter decides to tell Carla about his affair with Tina and promised Tina that they will leave Weatherfield together. Meanwhile, Tina and Rita argue and Rita slaps her for insulting Rita's marital status. Tina is later visited by Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis), and they argue. Tina falls from the balcony but survives that so Rob beats her with a metal pipe to ensure that she dies. Tina's final scenes aired on 2 June 2014, where she died in hospital, ending 6 years on Coronation Street.

Barry Connor

Barrington "Barry" Connor is the father of Paul (Sean Gallagher), Liam (Rob James-Collier) and Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh). Barry first appeared in February 2008 along with his wife, Helen, and nephew, Tom Kerrigan (Philip McGinley), to attend Liam's wedding to Maria Sutherland (Samia Ghadie). He returned to the street on 20 October after hearing news of Liam's death in a hit and run accident. He and Helen went home after apologising to Carla (Alison King) for telling her what to do. Barry and Helen returned on 24 November 2008 to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary.

Barry and Helen returned in July 2009 to meet their new grandson, Liam, but after clashing with Maria over Tony's involvement in baby Liam's life, they returned to Ireland. They returned in October for the first anniversary of Liam's death and they were horrified by Maria and Tony Gordon's (Gray O'Brien) relationship. They eventually accepted it, however, and attended baby Liam's christening and left Weatherfield on good terms with Maria and Tony. They returned again in November after Tony told the police and Maria that he did arrange for Liam to be killed. Michelle rang Barry and Helen to tell them the horrifying news. They booked a flight to Manchester immediately and comforted Maria. Deciding she needed to leave Weatherfield for a while, Maria and Liam went to Ireland to stay with Barry and Helen. In the end, he returns to Ireland after making a pass at Liz.

He returned on 4 October 2013, telling Michelle initially that her mother had gone on holiday with a friend from her book club. Suspicious, Michelle rang her parents' home to check and her mother was there but insisted that Michelle ask her father why they had separated. Michelle tried to insist that her father talk to her mother but that just led to more arguments. When Michelle caught a drunk Barry trying to seduce Liz, she was furious and insists that he return to Ireland to sort things out with Helen, but Barry tries to talk his way out of it. Eventually, he gave up and admits that Helen caught Barry sleeping with one of her friends, Aoife. Michelle was angry and booked two flights to Ireland with Barry to sort it out with Helen.

On 25 May 2015, Barry and Helen returned for Michelle's wedding to Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), where he walked Michelle down the aisle.

On 27 January to 18 February 2017, Michelle and Steve stayed with Barry and Helen in Ireland following the loss of their stillborn son Ruairi.

Helen Connor

Helen Connor is the mother of Paul (Sean Gallagher), Liam (Rob James-Collier) and Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh).

Helen first appears in February 2008 along with her husband, Barry and nephew, Tom Kerrigan (Philip McGinley), to attend Liam and Maria's wedding. She returns to the street on 20 October 2008, after hearing that Liam has been killed in a hit and run accident. She and Barry return to Ireland after apologising to Carla (Alison King) for telling her what to do. Helen and Barry return on 24 November 2008 for their 40th wedding anniversary.

Helen returns along with Barry in July 2009 to visit their new grandson, Liam. She is not happy with Tony Gordon's (Gray O'Brien) presence in the house and makes sure that Tony and Maria are aware of this. Helen soon begins arguing with Maria, accusing her of trying to replace Liam with Tony. Helen continues to show her dislike of Tony, and when she returns to the cobbles in October 2009, for baby Liam's christening, she tells him that she does not approve of the situation but is willing to be civil. During their stay, they visit Liam Sr's grave, and upon returning discovers that Maria and Tony are engaged. Helen is enraged, accusing Maria of betraying Liam's memory. Helen later softened on the situation, and after attending Liam's christening, she and Barry returned to Ireland on good terms with Maria and Tony.

On 20 November, Helen and Barry returned after Tony Gordon handed himself into police and admitted that he had Liam killed. The two supported Maria, and she soon decided she wanted to go to Ireland with them and the baby rather than stay in Weatherfield and be reminded of Tony. They left on 26 November. In June 2010, she rang The Rovers wanting to speak to Michelle but ended up speaking to Ciaran (Keith Duffy). The two had a long, friendly conversation and exchanged stories about Michelle. She rang again later that week and once again spoke to Ciaran, who told her that he loved her lemon drizzle cake (which she'd sent to Michelle), when actually he did not – something which Michelle pointed out. Ciaran replied to Michelle that her mother had a 'sexy voice'.

On 25 May 2015, Helen and Barry returned for Michelle's wedding to Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).

From 27 January to 18 February 2017, Michelle and Steve stayed with Helen and Barry in Ireland following the loss of their stillborn son Ruairi.

In January 2018, Helen texted Michelle and wished Robert Preston (Tristan Gemmill), her fiancé, good luck with his surgery to remove his testicular cancer.

Tom Kerrigan

Thomas "Tom" Kerrigan, played by Philip McGinley, is the cousin of Liam (Rob James-Collier), Paul (Sean Gallagher) and Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh). He returns to Coronation Street in June 2008, having previously being seen at Liam's stag party in February that year. On his return, he flirts with Carla (Alison King), Paul's widow, much to her fiancé, Tony Gordon's (Gray O'Brien) dislike. On 23 March 2009, it was revealed that Tom had been axed from the show.

Tom makes friends with gay character Sean Tully (Antony Cotton). On 3 September 2008, Sean mistakenly thinks Tom is gay and when Tom tells Sean that he is straight, Sean leaves in a huff. This leads to Sean's partner, Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou), punching Tom after he suspects that he has slept with Sean.

In September 2008, Tom and Liam go into business together, selling men's shirts, called 'Lad Rags'. Unable to get a loan from the bank, Tom turns to Carla who gives him the £50,000 that he needs, on the condition that she can have a 25% share in the business. This angers Liam initially but he eventually accepts the partnership. He insists, however, that Carla's 25% comes out of Tom's share of the business. Tom is devastated when Liam is killed by a hit-and-run driver in October 2008. Weeks after his death, Tom is confronted by Liam's wife Maria (Samia Ghadie) about Carla's involvement in 'Lad Rags' and he is forced to admit that Carla had invested money in the business. On 3 December 2008, at Tony and Carla's wedding, Tom and Michelle discover Liam and Carla's affair as Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor) reveals it to Maria. This infuriates her and she is about to confront Carla, but she and her new husband, Tony, have already left for their honeymoon. Tom is confused as to Maria's repeated allegations and tries his best to convince her that he knew of no affair. When Maria begins to believe Tony killed Liam, Tom tries to convince her of Tony's innocence, despite his own initial suspicions on the night of Liam's death.

In March 2009, Maria receives Carla's 25% share of 'Lad Rags' making Tom a minority shareholder to her combined 75%. Around this time, he begins to have feelings for her and is not happy when she seeks financial advice from Tony about the business. Tony warns Tom to keep out of it, saying that he knows about his crush on Maria. This infuriates Tom and as revenge, he reveals to Tony's new business partner Luke Strong (Craig Kelly) that Tony is having him followed by a private investigator. Tom leaves the Street in April, following a big argument with Maria and Tony. He is last seen kissing Kelly Crabtree (Tupele Dorgu) outside the Rovers on her birthday, leaving Tony and Maria inside.

Dylan Wilson

Dylan Wilson is the son of established characters Violet Wilson (Jenny Platt) and Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) and first appeared on 22 February 2008, having been delivered by Sean and his partner Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou) in the Rovers. He was four weeks premature.

Violet and her boyfriend Jamie Baldwin (Rupert Hill) intended for Dylan to be born in London as they planned to escape Weatherfield because of what they saw as Sean's obsession. Sean immediately bonded with Dylan, and said that when he was born, he looked straight at him and was lost for words at the fact he was the first person Dylan saw. Jamie also bonded with Dylan, although found it hard due to the fact that Sean was his biological father and present at the birth.

Dylan was named by Violet and Jamie. They wanted a name that would go with Wilson and Baldwin. His middle name is "James" after Jamie. Sean suggested changing his last name to "Wilson-Tully" and asked if they would name him as Dylan's father on his birth certificate – Violet and Jamie didn't refuse, making Sean hope they would agree. Dylan left the Street with Violet and Jamie. They decided to put Jamie on the birth certificate, rather than Sean, so Jamie could be his legal father, and so their start in London would be easier for all of them.

Two years later, Sean decided to get back into contact with Dylan and posing as Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard) on a social networking site, added Violet as a friend and saw updated photos of Dylan. However, he was found out when Sean asked her how she'd feel if she had Dylan stolen from her. Violet phoned Liz angrily and Sean's deception was uncovered. Liz sacked Sean, but forgave him as she knew how much he wanted to get in contact with Dylan and told Violet. Violet later added Sean as a friend and allowed him to have contact with Dylan.