In the upcoming storyline of Coronation Street, the return of Eva Price brings fresh drama and tension to Weatherfield — especially when she enters into a new family unit with husband Ben Driscoll and his formidable mother-in-law, Maggie Driscoll. Actress Catherine Tyldesley has explained why Eva is so on edge around Maggie, highlighting the emotional undercurrents, the power dynamics at play, and the challenge of becoming part of someone else’s family.

Eva’s fear of Maggie stems from multiple sources. First, there’s the power imbalance: Maggie arrives on the scene as a strong, interfering presence who expects her voice to carry weight. She is not the passive maternal figure; instead, she holds opinions, makes demands, and expects to influence decisions. For Eva — whose previous days in Weatherfield, while often self-assured, also involved vulnerability and past mistakes — moving into a family where the mother-in-law wields control is destabilising. Tyldesley describes Maggie as “a mother-in-law from hell” in the promotional announcements, emphasising just how much of a threat her character will be. Radio Times+1

Second, Eva’s anxiety is rooted in expectation vs. reality. She is stepping into a new role: wife, perhaps landlady of the Rovers Return, part of a blended family. She wants to make that succeed. But Maggie’s presence complicates the picture — there’s always the unspoken question of loyalty: Is Maggie side-lined by Eva’s ambition? Or will Maggie feel usurped, prompting passive-aggressive behaviour? Tyldesley hints that Eva is wary of being undermined. In one quote she noted how the launch of this family bundle “arrives with a suitcase full of secrets” that Maggie knows or senses already. Wikipedia+1

Third, there’s the emotional and psychological dimension of trust and control. Maggie represents a figure of authority, experience, and perhaps scepticism. Eva, for all her confidence, is vulnerable in this arena: she has to prove herself not only to her husband Ben but now to Maggie — and that means navigating Maggie’s standards, her opinions, and her demands. Tyldesley explains that Eva is “scared” because she senses the stakes: if Maggie doesn’t approve, Eva’s future in this family and in the business (the Rovers Return) could be jeopardised. It’s not just personal — it’s professional, public, relational.

Fourth, Maggie’s arrival brings with it hidden motivations and secrets. The casting announcements already hinted that Ben and Maggie’s family carry “explosive secrets” into Weatherfield. Wikipedia Eva’s unease comes from knowing there are things unknown that Maggie might exploit or that Eva might be judged for by association. Tyldesley indicates that Eva doesn’t fully know Maggie yet — and when you don’t know someone but they hold power over your new life, you stay on your guard.

Fifth, the storyline forces Eva into a new family hierarchy in which she must find her place. Historically, Eva has been her own person — she’s been independent, opinionated, even at times self-centred and driven. Being part of a Driscoll family means her autonomy might be challenged. Tyldesley says this shift is a test for Eva: emotionally, she wants to belong; professionally, she wants to shine; but under Maggie’s gaze, she realises she may have to compromise. That conflict of self-identity vs. acceptance fuels much of her anxiety.

In practical terms on screen, this plays out in sharp interactions: Maggie correcting Eva’s business decisions, Maggie questioning how Eva handles family matters, Maggie asserting how things should be done in the pub, or how the Driscoll family should project itself in Weatherfield. Eva reacts — sometimes with bravado, sometimes with vulnerability, sometimes visibly afraid of stepping on Maggie’s toes. Tyldesley remarks that Eva’s “on edge” because Maggie’s unpredictable mood means Eva can’t relax. The mother-in-law figure isn’t consistent — sometimes supportive, sometimes critical — and that inconsistency escalates Eva’s stress.

Beyond the personal tension, Tyldesley highlights that the writers are using this dynamic to explore broader themes: generational conflict, power within family businesses, and how incoming family members negotiate their role when a dominant parent figure still holds sway. Eva’s fear of Maggie isn’t trivial or purely comedic — it’s representative of the insecurity many feel when entering a marriage or partnership where in-laws still have significant influence. The storyline gives Eva a new kind of challenge: mastering not just love and business, but familial politics.

Finally, Tyldesley adds a more intimate emotional layer: Eva fears being vulnerable. Maggie’s presence forces Eva to reveal parts of herself she usually keeps hidden — her doubts about the business, her past mistakes, her need for approval. Rather than being simply the confident Eva Price of old, here she must show emotional depth, fear of failure, and a longing for acceptance. Tyldesley describes this as an exciting evolution for the character: Eva stepping into a more mature space, but one that is also fraught with self-doubt.

In summary, Eva’s fear of Maggie springs from the tension between power and belonging, autonomy and compromise, identity and acceptance. Maggie Driscoll’s character is designed as a formidable in-law who holds influence, carries secrets, and keeps Eva alert and uneasy. For Eva, this means she must navigate not only the daily pressures of her new life but also the constant sense that she’s being evaluated — by her husband’s mother, by the family business, by the legacy she seeks to join. Catherine Tyldesley’s explanation makes it clear: Eva isn’t simply frightened of a stressful in-law; she’s scared of losing her ground, of being sidelined, of becoming someone else’s idea of daughter–in-law rather than remaining Eva Price.

As this storyline unfolds, viewers will watch how Eva handles the stress of being under Maggie’s scrutiny, whether she asserts herself, whether Maggie’s secrets pull the family apart, and whether Eva ultimately wins her place — or loses her confidence in the process. It’s a compelling arc that promises sharp emotion, power struggles, and the kind of soap drama that thrives on family conflict and personal stakes.