Vicky Myers Talks About Carla, Betsy, And D.S Swain Fandom!

Since becoming a series regular, firm fan favourite, Corrie Copper DS Lisa Swain, has had her character's backstory swiftly fleshed out. Following her confession to Carla about her partner's death in service, we've now met her daughter, Betsy, and that friendship with Carla has set X fandom alight with talks of a possible romance.

Last Monday I had the immense pleasure of being in sunny Salford, in a posh ITV Coronation Street media suite* to listen to Vicky Myers tell us about DS Swain's latest investigation: her daughter!  

Hi Vicky, We are now learning more about Lisa's backstory. How important has it been for you to learn about Lisa's family background and her story?

"It's massively important! What we do, it's all about displaying truth and authenticity for the characters we play. To know that, and the tragic death of Becky, the impact it would have had on their relationship. I ask myself, I wonder what it was like before as the three of them, how it has changed, and the impact the death would have had on Betsy, with her being in her early teens. Lisa thought she was doing the right thing by returning to work, but, it appears to have pushed Betsy further away"

You've been in the show a while and we are now getting a more 'rounded' Lisa with the casting of her daughter Betsy. How important was it, and how much were you involved in the casting process?

 

"I was very involved, which was brilliant, and thanks to the team here for giving me that opportunity. It was quite tense, and I was involved in the initial shortlist, the screen test, quite a few screen tests and I also learnt so much about what's potentially going to happen. We did a few scenes we may see - in time to come!"

What is the relationship like between Betsy and Lisa? 

"To put it mildly, it's strained, fractured, and very broken: they are both vulnerable. Lisa remembers being a teenager: if told not to do something, she would have done it, regardless. Lisa is fiercely protective of her now the family dynamic has changed, but she can't be too much of a disciplinarian as she's now 16"

Betsy Blackmails Carla? 

How would Lisa feel if she learned what Betsy has been up to with Joel and Carla? 

"I think she would be furious! Lisa brought her up with morals and because of the profession, she's in. Also, blackmail is contrived, and she would want to know why Betsy felt she needed to do that. She would be disappointed"

Lisa is quite a cool customer and doesn't have many friends, but appears to have made one in Carla. What is it about Carla, that has made Lisa show vulnerability, and a blossoming friendship forming?  

"the car scene (they shared) where Lisa was very vulnerable, Carla showed some vulnerability too and shared a bit of her life, the story about Liam, and with Peter. I think she can see a lot of herself in Carla: they are similar in many ways -she's a powerful woman - opinionated, and a businesswoman with a huge heart. I think it would be lovely for her to have a friend"

What has the public reaction been to Lisa? 

"It's been pretty overwhelming, actually, in a lovely way. I've received many messages, letters, and friendship bracelets. It's been a real privilege and honour to portray this character. People can relate to her. Representation and inclusivity are so important: with that comes responsibility. I do take that on board and not take it lightly. To receive so many letters is quite something"

Thanks, Vicky! 

At the start of this interview, Vicky noticed my 'Roy Cropper Is Innocent' T-shirt and joked that she should have worn hers. She looked across at me (very arresting eyes) and I swear I thought I was heading for Weatherfield Police Station, lol! Jokes aside, she's a fab character/actress and it's clear I'm not the only one that thinks that! 

What are your thoughts on DS Swain's backstory? Let me know I am @rybazoxo on X 

* Do you remember Rowan taking Leanne to that restaurant in last week's episode? I'm 99% certain this was that same room. Keep your eyes peeled for my next cast interview for more on that story!

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Corrie Cast Chat: Meet Betsy Swain!

Last week, Corrie introduced another new character into Joel's (ever increasingly weird) world of teenage girls. Credited as 'Sabrina's Mate' this feisty blonde set out to blackmail the slimy solicitor, after seeing him flirt with her friend. It didn't take long for Corrie's X sleuths to guess that 'Sabrina's mate' is actually Betsy Swain, daughter of D.S Lisa Swain. Making her acting debut via the biggest soap on British television, I was honoured to be at last week's Coronation Street press event, at ITV Studios, which introduced the (youthful-looking) 22-year-old actress Sydney Martin (who plays Betsy) to the soap media. 

Hi Sydney! Welcome to Coronation Street...

How did the role of Betsy come about and what was the process? 

"Initially, in January of this year, I went for two smaller roles for a couple of episodes, which was great to be seen by Coronation Street, but I didn't get them. It was good to make it through twice. Two weeks later, they asked if I wanted to audition for a series regular! I was like "Yeah, that would be great!" I got the audition through for Betsy in February, it was a two-month process, and it was quite a long process! I did a read-through with Vicky (Myers, D.S Swain), and two screen tests, taking it as a good experience. I didn't expect to get it! I was doing 6 nights a week at Tesco so it was quite the career change!"

You are 22 years old in real life but play a teenager. Do you think that's the best way, rather than coming into such a huge show as a teenage actress? 

"Yeah, this is my first role and hats off to any of the younger cast who do it because it is daunting! With such a big family atmosphere and coming in as a new person, everyone has welcomed me with open arms but it is, especially when it's your first TV thing. To come in on the Lauren storyline which is such an important massive storyline, and to understand it more, as I'm a lot older, it's dealing with serious topics, which has been nice"

Is 16-year-old Betsy anything like 16-year-old Sydney? 

"Absolutely not! - she's different to me, but I love it as she's my alter ego. I would have loved to have been like her at that age -she's so confident. It's nice to do it and so fun to replay your teenage years but in different shoes! She's the complete opposite of me!"

What were you told about Betsy - how would you describe her? 

"I had a big description through when I first got it, just that she's feisty, cocky, and a smart cookie. She's intelligent, like her Mum, streetwise, and has had to fend for herself. They are working through their grief together. I've been playing with these personality traits. In the next few weeks, we will see a few different sides to her. I've watched a lot of scenes that Vicky has done and based her on Swain! I wanted to channel her into Betsy."

We've already seen Betsy blackmail Joel, and she's about to blackmail Carla. For someone raised by two female detectives, why does she seem to have some contempt for the law? 

"She lost her other Mum whilst she was on duty, so has a bit of disrespect for the career, which causes some tension in their relationship, but also a sense of "Mummy can get me out of it" (if she gets in trouble) She plays with that a bit and has a sense of naivety in thinking her Mum would just get her out of trouble!"

How are you getting on with Vicky? 

"I've been here two months now. We have the best dressing room chats: we talk about anything and everything! In another universe, we were definitely mother and daughter. We are so similar, and Vicky got me flowers on my first day, she just made me feel so appreciated and welcome! To have the mother figure, to have someone, has been really brilliant!

Thank you, Sydney!    

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On the hottest day of the year thus far, I spent last Monday at ITV studios in Salford, meeting a few more Corrie cast members, had a stroll on the Street set, AND saw DS Swain in the flesh, which made this an extraordinary Corrie day out for yours truly! 

Keep your eyes peeled for more cast interviews to come. I'm armed with spoilers, and having seen a preview of next week's episodes, I can tell you you're in for a treat! A scorching day of summer spoilers!

I am @rybazoxo on X 

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