Christmas Eves: Carla and Lisa get Festive? Interview with Corrie Producer Kate Brooks

I recently travelled to Coronation Street studios in Manchester for a press conference with new producer Kate Brooks. It was packed with so much news, views and spoilers, that I'm sharing her insights via a series of blogs. 

Here, she talks about what Christmas 2024 will be like for Carla Connor and Lisa Swain.

Those who don't wish to be in the know should look away now.

Fans of this pairing, of which there are many, will be happy to know that there will be developments in their relationship as they go into Christmas.

Kate spoke of how the the attraction is clear and chemistry palpable between these “very strong, independent, stubborn, brilliant women” who have been circling one another for a while and “find themselves drawn to eachother” with a “connection that they can't deny.”

Kate explained how, for Carla, “this is quite huge,” and while falling in love with a woman “completely blows her mind” after a long and colourful history with men, she feels “it's important for us to show that she's not struggling with her sexuality, she's very confident in her sexuality, but she's fallen in love with a person that she didn't expect to fall in love with, and that presents many challenges.”

While Carla may not quite understand what's happening, we're told she goes with it, whereas it's Lisa who struggles to let down barriers caused by grieving her late wife and her committment to her job, and to allow Carla see her vulnerability.

“Carla's in a bit of a tailspin,” says Kate. “She's like, I've fallen in love with this woman, but she's hard work. She makes Peter look easy! I think that's what the story is really for them two.”

We finally saw them get together on Friday's Corrie, but unfortunately the honeymoon period didn't exactly last too long, with concerns for Lisa's daughter Betsy among the sources of friction. Her presence naturally also brings Carla into a different world, and Kate says, “it's really interesting watching her navigate this because we know Carla, we love Carla, and this is completely alien, and unknown and unchartered waters, but yet she navigates them really well.”

Kate went on to explain, “We want to keep them secure, we want to keep them grounded, we want to make that relationship really believable, and it is. What I'm seeing on screen is fantastic between the two of them. And I think it's really important to tell these stories, and tell these stories properly. At the heart of it is a relationship; it's a love story."

"They will inevitably get a lot of curveballs thrown their way. 2025 is not a quiet year for them two. There's a lot of hurdles that come their way, a lot of obstacles, and things they didn't quite anticipate that get in the way of their relationship, but ultimately they emerge from this strong and united." 

"I'm really excited to be with this couple on this journey, and I think the drama and the story they've given us already is immense, so there's going to be a lot more of that.”

We're told their relationship becomes public knowlege during the festive season. “They are happy during the Christmas period" Kate explains. "Carla initially flinches a little bit at the idea of people gossiping. And it's not about sexuality, but she's a bit unsure. But once it's out there, and she realises that everybody's absolutely fine with it, then it's all systems go.

"Christmas will be when they really commit to eachother, when they declare how they feel about eachother, and when they stop circling eachother and touching eachother's hair.”

Kate's insights here, on other characters central to the festive season, and about Christmas generally, indicates a focus on and interest in personal relationships and stories. This is refreshing given that it has always been at the heart of the Street's best storylines, and hopefully bodes well for the future of the show. 

You can read what else she had to say in the rest of my series of blogs here:

A Classic Christmas for Gail? Interview with Corrie Producer Kate Brooks

Oh Christmas Three! Corrie Producer Kate Brooks Talks Daisy, Bethany and Daniel

Leanne, Toyah and Nick Share Ex-mas? Interview with Corrie Producer Kate Brooks

By Emma Hynes

Read all about my recent trip to Coronation Street in A Rover Returns.

Read my recent Corrie interview with Calum Lill

Web

www.emmahynes.com

Social                Music
Facebook             Apple
Instagram            Bandcamp
Twitter                 Soundcloud
YouTube              Spotify

---