Coronation Street star Alison King has shared what she would like to see for Carla Connor-Swain as her character faces losing the Underworld factory in upcoming scenes of the ITV soap.
It has been almost 20 years since Carla first appeared on screen, making her debut in December 2006. She was introduced as the wife of Paul Connor, who had bought Danny Baldwin's majority share of Underworld. She gatecrashed the staff's Christmas party carrying a bottle of wine in each hand, and remains at the centre of Weatherfield life two decades later.
Carla faces losing Underworld
Carla is facing the prospect of losing the factory for good. While admitting it was already in decline, the involvement of Idris Nazir only seems to make things worse. Spoilers reveal Idris hears Carla talking to Lisa about an important meeting at a hotel. During the meeting, Carla and Michael Bailey are pleased with how things are going, but as the client heads to the loo, Idris stops him.
In the next instalment, Idris listens in as Carla confides in her wife, Lisa Connor-Swain, in the café that she will have to cancel the Christmas bonus and needs to get the current order out on time to save the factory. Carla breaks the news to the devastated staff that she is struggling to keep the factory afloat. Meanwhile, Idris meets Brody at the rear of the factory and, handing him a lighter, tells him he has a job for him.
Disaster strikes at the factory
Brody lets himself into No.4 and steals Sally Metcalfe's set of factory keys. He then lets himself into the deserted factory, unaware he is being watched by Leanne Battersby. Sally finds Carla and Lisa in the Rovers and tells them the factory alarm is going off.
Speaking of the moment disaster strikes, Alison said: "She's devastated. She keeps it to herself for as long as she can before having to confess that the insurance won't cover it. She simply overlooked it because her head was full with everything else, Sarah, Betsy, and keeping things running. Given past trauma like the roof collapse, it's a massive trigger for her. At this point, she genuinely thinks it was just a terrible, tragic accident."
Staff face uncertain future
An angry Leanne confronts Idris and Brody, revealing she saw Brody break into the factory. Carla tells the shocked factory workers she has no option but to shut the factory and can only pay them one month's wages. A remorseful Brody is left disgusted that Leanne and Idris seem unconcerned about the factory closing and all the staff being out of a job.
Later, an excited Idris shows Leanne the factory floor plans and explains that once the money is through from the sale of the school land, the factory will be theirs. Carla is touched when Sean, Izzy and Michael join her in the Rovers and tell her they will do anything to help her get the factory back up and running.
Alison relishes Carla's vulnerable side
While Carla faces the turmoil of losing her livelihood, Alison is relishing the chance to play Carla's vulnerable side. She shared: "It's great. Bringing vulnerable Carla out of the box reminds everyone of who she really is. Every time she goes through a crisis like this, she comes back a bit more understanding and empathetic toward others, even if she still loses her temper along the way!"
When asked what she would like to see for Carla if she were to lose the factory, Alison teased: "Her default seems to be helping Roy in the cafe, I would love that, she could live the dream running a cafe. But she likes the day-to-day cut and thrust of running the factory, so it might not keep her satisfied for too long. She isn't ready to slow down."
