Coronation Street star Todd Boyce expects backlash over Stephen and Carla story

"I think people have enjoyed her getting one over on him."

By Shivani Dubey

9 Feb 2023

ITV

Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street star Todd Boyce has opened up about how he expects some backlash to his character Stephen Reid's upcoming storyline with Carla Barlow.

Stephen is plotting a takeover at the factory, after Underworld boss Carla ordered him to work in the factory's packing department. He also felt she embarrassed him in front of an old business associate.

In upcoming episodes, he plans to drug Carla with LSD, as part of a bigger plan to undermine her authority and get her out of his way. Stephen also exploits the situation when Carla experiences hallucinations, with Peter left concerned that she's experiencing psychosis once again.

ITV

Speaking about how he feels Corrie viewers will react to Stephen targeting Carla, Todd said: "I am not sure. She is a very popular character.

"Up until now he has targeted people who are relatively new characters that people haven't really got to know but this is different.

"Chris Gascoyne [who plays Carla's husband Peter] has been so lovely about it, he said, 'Oh mate you have no idea what you are in for when this starts'.

Speaking of the storyline so far, he added: "Ali [King] and I have had some great scenes together, really fiery scenes and I have enjoyed that and I think people have enjoyed her getting one over on him so they will hate it when the tables are turned."

Speaking about fan reactions to his villainous character, Todd said: "People are always very polite, which is funny because maybe they are a bit scared.

ITV

"I saw two ladies in Sainsburys when I was doing my grocery shopping. I was in the frozen section and these two ladies in their late 60s [were] behind me, I turned around and the blood just drained from their faces and one of them said, 'Ooh I don't like you', and then she added, 'I guess someone has got to be bad'.

"I'm not sure if they were worried I was going to push them into the freezer whilst no-one was looking!

"And then a lot of women will come up to me and say, 'My husband hates you', they clearly don't want to say they hate me themselves, or maybe they secretly like him!"

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.