As the gripping drama continues to unfold on Coronation Street, one storyline has fans holding their breath: the shocking disappearance and brutal attack on Gary Windass.

What begins as a seemingly minor domestic dispute quickly escalates into a harrowing mystery with potentially fatal consequences. And at the heart of it all is

Maria Connor—played by longtime Corrie star Samia Longchambon—whose growing fears and emotional turmoil promise to leave a lasting impact on the residents of Weatherfield.

Samia, who has portrayed Maria since 2000, recently opened up about her character’s emotional rollercoaster as Gary vanishes without a trace. “At first, Maria just thinks Gary’s angry,” Longchambon explained. “They’ve had a falling out, and she assumes he just needed space. But the longer he’s gone, the more her gut tells her something’s terribly wrong.”

Tensions between Maria and Gary had been simmering for weeks, sparked largely by the presence of Lou—Gary’s enigmatic new acquaintance. Lou has been a wedge in the Windass household, and Maria’s instincts are on high alert. “I don’t think Maria believes they’re having an affair,” Samia clarified, “but she’s definitely suspicious. Gary keeps siding with Lou, always seeing the worst in Maria and the best in Lou. That naturally sets off alarm bells.”

As the emotional strain builds, Maria tries to stay composed. But when Gary fails to appear for stepson Liam Connor’s birthday—a date he would never miss—her unease transforms into full-blown panic. “That’s the moment she knows it’s not just a relationship issue,” Samia revealed. “Maria starts to spiral. She knows Gary wouldn’t miss Liam’s birthday without a very serious reason. And she hasn’t heard from him. He’s ignoring her messages. It’s completely out of character.”

Unbeknownst to Maria, Gary never made it to his mother’s house as he’d claimed. In reality, he was the victim of a vicious and mysterious attack and now lies unconscious in a hospital bed, his identity hidden by someone intent on covering their tracks. But at this point in the storyline, Maria is still in the dark.

With her worries mounting, Maria reaches out to DC Kit Green for help. He informs her of an unidentified man found beaten and placed in a coma. He assures her it isn’t Gary—but both of them are unaware of just how elaborate the attacker’s cover-up has become.

Samia painted a chilling picture of Maria’s emotional conflict upon hearing the coma patient isn’t Gary. “Maria is heartbroken, but in a strange way, part of her wishes it was him,” she said. “That way, at least she’d know where he was. It’s that agonizing not-knowing that drives her deeper into fear.”

“She’s glad, of course, that he isn’t in a coma,” Samia added, “but then her mind goes to even darker places. What if he’s dead? What if he’s in worse condition, somewhere no one has found him? It’s bittersweet. There’s relief—but also absolute terror.”

Despite Kit Green’s reassurance that he’ll do everything possible to find Gary, Maria refuses to sit idly by. “She’s grateful for Kit’s help,” said Samia, “but that wouldn’t stop Maria from doing everything she can, too. She’s relentless. She needs answers, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find them.”

As Maria’s distress intensifies, the audience is left to witness her mental unraveling in real-time. Her once composed demeanor begins to crack under the weight of fear, guilt, and unanswered questions. The Maria viewers see now is a far cry from the resilient woman who has weathered her fair share of heartbreaks and challenges. This time, the stakes are higher than ever.

Adding to the emotional tension is the list of potential enemies who might have had a motive to harm Gary. From past criminal connections to unfinished vendettas, Gary’s life has never been short of danger. Could one of these old foes be responsible for his current state? And if so, how far are they willing to go to keep their identity hidden?

There’s also the looming question of Lou’s role in all of this. While Maria doesn’t believe Lou and Gary are romantically involved, there’s no denying that Lou’s sudden presence has destabilized their marriage. Could Lou know more than she’s letting on? Is she involved in Gary’s disappearance? Or is she just another red herring in this intricate web of deceit?

Meanwhile, Gary’s condition remains critical. With him still in a coma, unable to speak for himself, the truth remains buried beneath layers of deception. Someone has gone to great lengths to impersonate his next of kin, a calculated move to conceal the crime and delay any chance of recovery or justice.

As viewers eagerly await the next twist, one thing is certain—Maria’s journey through this ordeal will reshape her character in lasting ways. Vulnerable yet determined, she is a woman caught between hope and despair, clinging to any clue that might lead her back to the man she loves.

The question remains: will Gary Windass wake up before it’s too late? And if he does, will he remember who attacked him—and why? Or has the assailant already ensured that Gary’s secrets will stay buried forever?

For now, Coronation Street fans are left to speculate. But with stakes this high and emotions this raw, the drama is only just getting started. Maria’s battle for the truth may be her most harrowing yet—and the fallout, if Gary doesn’t survive, could ripple through Weatherfield for years to come.