| Matt Carter | |
|---|---|
| Coronation Street character | |
| Portrayed by | Oliver Mellor |
| Created by | Phil Collinson |
| Duration | 2010— |
| First appearance | 20 August 2010 |
| Classification | Present; regular |
| Profile | |
| Occupation | Doctor |
Dr Matthew "Matt" Carter, is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Oliver Mellor. He made his first on screen appearance on 20 August 2010.
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Oliver Mellor was initially cast as a doctor for Natasha Blakeman (Rachel Leskovac)'s pregnancy storyline. Digital Spy said Mellor had initially been signed for four episodes, but that there was a "strong possibility" he would return for a longer stint. The character was introduced in August 2010 as Dr Carter, Gail McIntyre (Helen Worth)'s new boss at the medical centre.[1]
In June 2011, it was revealed that Matt would embark on a romance with Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) [2], however, Michelle has revealed that she thinks her character "would feel out of place with Matt".[3] It was also revealed that it would become clear that "Matt has some 'skeletons' in his closet.", and Mellor himself has claimed that he would like "to explore a dark side to his character".[4] Mellor has also claimed that "being given an on-screen romance is like getting 'a promotion'."[5]
Natasha first sees Dr. Carter and confides in him that she has just had an abortion. She tells him that she does not want her partner, Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) to know and he vows to keep her secret, even when Nick enters the surgery and introduces himself as the baby's father. Dr. Carter overhears Natasha and Gail, who is Nick's mother and the medical centre's receptionist, arguing. He soon learns that Gail hacked into Natasha's records and told Nick about the abortion, thereby breaking the rule of patient confidentiality. He immediately sacks Gail and Natasha leaves.
Whilst Dr. Carter is having a drink in the Rovers, an explosion occurs at the Joinery Bar, causing a tram to derail and crash on to the street. Dr. Carter takes charge of the casualties and tends to the wounded. He treats many street residents, including Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati). He helps Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine) when she goes into labour prematurely until an ambulance arrives. He offers Claire Peacock (Julia Haworth) mental health advice after she discovers that her husband Ashley has died in the accident.
Some weeks later John Stape (Graeme Hawley) visits Dr. Carter after being unable to sleep following the tram crash. Dr. Carter assumes that John's inability to sleep is due to the stress and worries of having a premature baby, however, John admits that it is his guilty conscience which is weighing him down. After prescribing John sleeping pills, Dr. Carter suggests that John speaks to a councillor, an idea which he refuses. John visits Dr. Carter for a second time the following week where he appears to be unstable following his actions. Dr. Carter suggests that John puts his guilt into perspective, before giving him a stronger prescription. Dr. Carter visits Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) at his home after Peter takes a fall while recovering from the injuries sustained from the events of the tram crash.
Dr. Carter has an awkward incident with Sunita Alahan's aunts who are trying to find her a new husband. They invite him around to Number 7 after claiming one of them is ill. Sunita and her husband Dev (Jimmi Harkishin) return at the same time, shocked and embarrassed by her aunts' behaviour.
Matt begins dating Tina in August 2011, much to the annoyance of Tommy Duckworth (Chris Fountain), who becomes jealous of him.
Matt is said to be "hunky".[6] In August 2011, Inside Soap readers voted Matt their favourite doctor in soap opera.[7]