ITV Coronation Street's Alina Pop shares new look after landing movie role alongside Ed Sheeran

Coronation Street actress Ruxandra Porojnicu is unrecognisable a year after her departure from the soap. The star, who played Alina Pop on the ITV programme, has since landed a role in an upcoming comedy project alongside singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.

Posting to her 65.9k followers on Instagram over the weekend, the actress posted a selfie on her story with the caption: "Just quickly refreshing my… Portuguese this time. #actorslife." Posing in the photograph, Ruxandra's locks were much longer and wavier as she showed off her new fringe.

The 28-year-old's new look differs from her previously ultra straight dark brunette hairdo without the fringe that soap fans are more used to seeing her sport. The actress made her debut as Alina Pop on Coronation Street back in 2019 as part of a human trafficking storyline.

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Alina went on to have a romance with Seb Franklin and develop a friendship with Emma Booker. However, she was later seen drawn into a dramatic love triangle with Tyrone Hobbs and his long-term partner Fiz Stape. Ruxandra left the cobbles back in September 2021, after the character's relationship with Tyrone Dobbs, played by Alan Halsall, didn’t work out.

A pregnant Alina announced she was leaving for her native Romania to raise hers and Tyrone’s child alone. Sharing an image of herself with Tyrone actor Alan Halsall, Ruxandra wrote on Twitter: “And that’s a wrap on Corrie! Thanks to everyone who encouraged and supported me. It meant so much.

“I worked with some of the finest people, who are not only extremely talented but very humble and caring. They made me feel welcome and a part of this beautiful family. TA EVERYONE!”

Now the actress, from