Coronation Street Blog: soap spoilers

Showing posts with label soap spoilers. Show all posts

Sunday, 30 June 2024

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!

*******

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

Friday, 20 May 2022

Will Kevin Help Abi Flee Weatherfield? Corrie Blog interviews Michael Le Vell

Kevin Webster has reeled in revelations recently regarding his estranged wife Abi, yet still harbours the thought of possible reconciliation between them. Even though Kevin found out that Imran fathered her baby, it would seem that he still wants Abi back, and is determined to help her keep baby Alfie, regardless of the consequences.

Will Kevin follow his heart and ultimately reunite with his wife, or will he play it safe to protect himself and his son Jack?

In his 39th(!) year on Coronation Street, it was a huge honour to attend a Corrie zoom press event to chat with Michael Le Vell, to learn about his latest storyline.

Hi Michael! The relationship between Kevin and Abi is something a lot of viewers have warmed to. Do you think that Kevin has ever regretted getting involved with Abi?

You know what, not one bit! I think she’s brought out a different dimension to him. She’s exciting to him, he doesn't know what he’s going to get from one day to the next. It keeps him on his toes.

What does Kevin see in Abi? Sally Carman says that Abi has a huge heart. Do you think Kevin would agree with that?

Yes, I think he sees that and he always sees the flaws in her as well. No one is perfect, but he loves her. When you love someone you see through their faults, and love them, despite those faults. If Kevin ever falls on hard times, he knows Abi would be there for him, regardless.

Most people would simply walk away, if Abi did to them, what she did to Kevin. Yet, this week, he offers to help her run off with Alfie. On that basis, does he feel that Abi has it in her to be a good Mother?

He knows 100%. He’s seen the regret she has over losing the twins, and then what happened with Seb. He knows she’s got it in her to be a good Mum! Kev’s not been perfect in the past either, so maybe he needs to eat humble pie and be there for her.

Next year is your 40th anniversary on the show, and here you are at the centre of another huge storyline. Do you still enjoy playing Kevin after this time?

I love it - absolutely love it! I get different scripts every week and I've been blessed with the actors that I've been put with - it makes a job a lot easier. Working with Sally Dynevor, Sally Carman, and Joe Duttine is not like coming to work at all. I've been blessed with the people around me.

During your time on the show, Kevin has been involved in several huge storylines. Do you feel proud to be involved in another vast Corrie soap week?

Oh yeah, I'm always proud. It doesn't matter what script you get, it's such an honour to be part of the show and the fact they are still using me, gives you good faith in yourself. I just want to do my best, so that viewers like it.

Did you ever imagine, when you started playing Kevin Webster, that you’d still be in the role nearly forty years later?

No, I came in as 'Neil Grimshaw' first, one of Rita’s paperboys, for a few episodes, and then a producer, Judy Hayfield, when that finished, she said they’d find something else for me. I wasn't booked for Kevin Webster, I was in the corridor waiting to audition for a programme called ‘Scully’ and Judy H walked past and asked if I was auditioning for Kevin Webster. I said no, she said to leave it with me. I came back the next day, auditioned, and got the job, which was twelve episodes. I then finished those twelve episodes, went off and did panto at Oldham Collissuem, and then got asked back to Coronation Street. That was nearly forty years ago!

Are there any highlights that stand out for you from those forty years?

It's funny actually, two people came up to me in a supermarket the other day, and they'd been watching classic corrie, an episode where Kevin and Alison lost their baby. It was a scene with Sally when Kevin breaks down and he has a line saying 'what am I supposed to do with all of that love, now the baby has been taken away?' and it was emotional stuff. It reminded me of that moment and it always comes back to me. I love doing the strong storylines with the emotional stuff, like when Sally had to tell Kevin that she had breast cancer. Then there are the scenes, like moving in with Hilda Ogden, even though Hilda hated Sally at the beginning. There have been so many, like saving Bet from the fire at the rovers, and acting in the tram crash live episodes too. Lots of happy times!

You’ve played the character for nearly 40 years. How similar are you and Kevin Webster?

Very similar, yes. You cant play a character for nearly 40 years and some of your personality not come through. It's not like playing a different character every week, your playing the same person. I've been Kevin Webster for nearly as long as I’ve been Michael Le Vell! I was only 18 when I joined the show.

Bill Roache who plays Ken Barlow just turned 90 years young, and said he’d be happy to be on the show until he’s at least 100. Could you see yourself playing Kevin at that age?

Well, it's a nice thought. As long as you can keep remembering your lines, where you work, and getting there every day, why not. That's the thing with our job, you don't have to retire aged 65 as they still want older characters. You don't retire from acting, acting retires you. If I'm still here in 37 years, I'd be happy to still do it!

What an amazing privilege to be sat in a press chat with a true Coronation Street legend. I’ve actually met Michael Le Vell in real life, and on the street set itself (humble brag) and I can assure you, he did remind me of Kevin Webster!

Kevin is obviously still besotted with Abi, married to her, and willing to help her with baby Alfie, but will he risk Jack’s future, too? This story is part of Corrie's BIG SOAP WEEK, with its own shiny trailer, so keep your eye on this blog for more cast interviews, backstage gossip, episode reviews, and storyline previews, ahead of this explosive Coronation Street week!

I am @rybazoxo your Cobbles connoisseur and Coronation Street superfan.