Mary Taylor (also Cole) is a fictional character from the British television ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by actress Patti Clare.

Mary's storylines have included: trying to seduce Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) and kidnapping him when he refuses to give her attention, yet later becoming close friends; falling in love with Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin); an affair with Brendan Finch (Ted Robbins); and revealing that she gave birth to a son after being raped when she was fourteen years old.

She then wrote her own part for the show, a character named Cherise who would have been the sister of Raquel Watts (Sarah Lancashire).

[2] Clare was invited back to play the role on a regular basis signed to longer contracts.

[3] Upon being introduced into the series Mary bonds with established character Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) over their interest of entering competitions.

The character was later reintroduced to the series and a show publicist stated that Mary returns with the intention to reconnect with Norris.

[4] Hebden has claimed that his off-screen friendship with Clare helped to create a good comedy duo with Mary and Norris.

Brian Roberts from the Daily Mirror revealed that Coronation Street had planned a kidnapping storyline in similar to the narrative featured in the novel Misery.

Mary develops fantasies of her and Norris having a romance resembling Heathcliffe and Cathy, fictional characters from the novel Wuthering Heights.

[8] The casting department hired Ted Robbins to play Brendan Finch who was billed as a new love interest for Mary.

Clare told David Brown of Radio Times that Mary is true to her characterisation and has fantasies about the relationship.

[11] A publicist from Coronation Street told Susan Hill of the Daily Star that Bridget slaps Mary in the face in-front of her neighbours.

Clare explained that her character is left "humiliated [and] mortified" because her close friends Dev and Erica are witness to the attack.

David Brown from Radio Times reported that Mary would "deliver shock news" that would leave other characters in "astonishment".

[14] Their introduction storyline involved Mary and Norris creating a sham marriage in order to win a competition.

[14] Ekanoye told Radio Times' Brown that Jude decides to stay because getting to know Mary is a "big thing for him".

As they starting spending time together, Mary told Norris that she cared for her invalid mother and used the competitions as a way of escape.

Norris refused to listen to Mary and rejected her attempts to speak to him thereafter, having been deeply disturbed by his ordeal at the cottage.

Dev returns to the street and he breaks up with Julie after developing feelings for his friend Talisa, making Mary happy.

[22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Jennifer Rodger from the Daily Mirror branded Mary's love life a "complete disaster area".

[29] Their colleague stated that "Mary's risqué, off-the-wall remarks are turning her into one of the Street's funniest characters.

"[1] A writer from the Belfast Telegraph branded Mary "the wonderful sidekick of Norris" and found her "a joy to watch" compared to other characters.

They added "Mary is the gloriously comic yet poignant creation of the brilliant actress Patti Clare who plays her - she conceived the misfit spinster character herself.

"[23] Following the arrival of Angie, Jude and George, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy called it the beginning of "a brand new era for Mary".