All That Jazz

Since joining Coronation Street in January, Olivia Frances Brown has been causing plenty of mischief as the fiery Jodie Ramsey.

From her Liverpool upbringing and early love of music to navigating the fast pace of soap life, Olivia opens up about her dual passions, new album, and what Corrie fans can expect from her character in the months ahead

Words | Lawrence Saunders

Whereabouts on Merseyside did you grow up?

I was born in Liverpool, at the Women’s, and spent my early years in Aigburth. It was a lovely place to grow up – the people were very warm, and that warmth and humour really shapes you. It’s the sort of place that encourages you to have a personality and a point of view, and I think that stays with you.

For my school years, I moved to a small village in Cheshire called Whitley. It’s a rural area, so I had a very outdoorsy upbringing – climbing, riding bikes – which I loved and feel really grateful for. I’ve moved around a lot since, been here, there and everywhere, but I always seem to come back to Liverpool. I returned to attend LIPA, then moved away again, and now I’m back once more. It’s a city that gives you confidence but keeps your feet firmly on the ground – no one lets you get too big for your boots.

When did acting first enter the picture for you? Was there a specific moment that made you think, ‘This is what I want to do’?

I don’t think there was a single lightning-bolt moment, but from a young age I loved films and cinema, and I was always happiest when I was immersed in a character or a story. I hated school, but I loved drama – the only class where being curious and a bit strange actually felt useful.

While I was at school, I started to experience nerves and stage fright, and I struggled with that for a long time. I fought it at first, but over the years I’ve reframed it. If something doesn’t make
you nervous, it probably doesn’t matter enough. I’m much better with it now because of that shift in perspective. I see nerves as energy without direction, and I’ve learned to work with them rather than against them.

Alongside acting, you’re also a singer-songwriter. Was music your first love, or did the two passions develop side by side?

I think music came first. It was there before I even knew how to speak – my first love, my first language. I was fascinated by the songs my parents played growing up, especially Motown. I was always singing as a child – probably to everyone’s annoyance – and scribbling little songs in notebooks from about the age of four. They were rubbish, but I’d perform them for anyone who would listen, or at least pretend to.

I still perform regularly now in Liverpool. At the moment, I play every Friday at Petit Café on Berry Street. When I get some time away from Coronation Street, I’m hoping to put together a UK tour as well.

You released your debut single, ‘Shade of Red’, in February 2025. What did that milestone mean to you?

Releasing ‘Shade of Red’ was a big moment for me. I’d been working on my music for years, and it was always a slow, intentional process – I wasn’t interested in rushing something out just for the sake of it.

When I wrote ‘Shade of Red’, I was really drawn to Motown and old soul, and the song actually came together very quickly. I think I wrote it in about a day. Once I got into the studio, it fell into place exactly as I’d imagined. Lyrically, it’s very honest, and I love that about it. Even if it feels exposing, I think that honesty is what makes great music.

Are you still working on new material alongside your role in Coronation Street?

Yeah, I’m sitting on a lot of material at the moment. The next single I’m set to release later this year is called ‘You’ll Just Have To Do’. I wrote it quite a while ago, and it’s about being stuck in a toxic relationship – one you know is unhealthy but can’t walk away from. I think it captures that relentless cycle of leaving but inevitably returning, even when you know it won’t get any better, because the attachment feels stronger than logic. The song has already had some support from BBC Introducing and Radio Merseyside. The music video will feature Liverpool’s cityscape, which is exciting.

Alongside that, I’m also developing a jazz album called ‘Folie Douce’, which will be out later this year. The title is a French phrase that loosely translates as ‘soft madness’ or ‘gentle madness’. It’s inspired by Julie London’s first studio record, ‘Julie Is Her Name’, which I love – just guitar and double bass, really stripped back. I’ve always loved that understated style of jazz: minimal instrumentation but full of emotion. The album will include jazz standards and some other exciting material, all coming later this year.

Moving on to Coronation Street – your character Jodie was introduced during the special crossover episode with Emmerdale. How did you land the role?

Well, I actually auditioned for another role on Corrie that didn’t work out, but I was told I’d be kept in mind. I think it was about three years later when I got the audition for Jodie. When I read about her, I immediately knew she’d be a lot of fun to play. She’s a very complex character – unpredictable and layered – not the kind of role you get bored of. It felt like the right role at the right time. And I entered with the Corriedale special, which was incredible. That was such a brilliant way to come in, and I felt really lucky to be introduced that way.

What was your initial reaction when you found out you’d be stepping onto the famous cobbles?

It was surreal! My family have watched it since the very start, so it was a mix of excitement and a bit of disbelief, followed by a very real thought of, you know, ‘Don’t mess this up’. It’s such an institution, and you feel the history the moment you step on set. My mum was so excited because she’s a big Corrie fan, but she’s also brutally honest – you don’t get away with much with a scouse mum! She tells me exactly how to act.

How has it been joining such a long-established cast? Were you nervous walking into that environment?

I was a bit at the beginning, but it was more excitement than anything. It’s such a famous show with so much history, and you really feel that when you arrive and see cast members who’ve been there for years. But everyone was so welcoming – both the cast and crew. My on-screen sister, Julia Goulding, was amazing. We clicked straight away, and she really took me under her wing and made me feel completely at home. Everyone has a real respect for the work they’re doing, so it’s a really nice place to be.

Without giving too much away, what can fans expect from Jodie’s storyline in the coming months?

It’s going to be very juicy, but it will be a slow unravelling. The show is being very deliberate in how it’s all put together, because there are still a lot of questions that need answering. People really want to know why she was in that van, what her real connection is to Graham from Emmerdale, and why she keeps stealing random objects. They’ll have to wait for the answers, but they are on the way.

For now, she’s busy causing chaos in the Platt household – testing loyalties, pushing everyone’s buttons, and quietly positioning herself where she can do the most damage, I guess, or have the most fun. It depends what day you catch her on.

How have you adapted to the fast pace of soap filming compared to other television or film work?

It’s different, but refreshing – it really makes you stop overthinking and start trusting your instincts. It is intense, but I guess that keeps your performance alive, and there’s no space for vanity either, which is good – you don’t over-perfect things.

Your partner, James [Nelson-Joyce], is also an actor. Do you help each other when preparing for roles – for example, by rehearsing lines together – or do you keep your work separate?

We do read lines together, but we respect each other’s creative process. Sometimes it’s about giving each other space – creative work can be quite solitary. We both understand that, which is valuable in a partner. We also understand the demands of the job and that work sometimes has to take priority, so it helps to be with someone who gets that.

Ultimately, it’s about balance. Work doesn’t always stay at work in this job, so knowing how to switch off and decompress makes all the difference.

IMAGE: DANIELLE BAGULAY