Coronation Street fans are up in arms over what they’re calling a major storytelling misstep involving Carla Connor and her relationship with DS Lisa Swain. Viewers have taken to social media to voice their frustration at a glaring omission in Carla’s current storyline—one they say has robbed them of emotional depth and character development.
The controversy centers around Carla’s secret ownership of the Rovers Return Inn, a pivotal plotline that’s been slowly simmering since the end of 2023. For months, the beloved pub has seen a whirlwind of change. After struggling with mounting costs during the Cost of Living crisis, longtime landlady Jenny Connor was forced to sell the Rovers to brewing company Newton and Ridley. Jenny, along with staff and regulars, managed to carry on—until a corporate takeover by Waterford Incorporated turned their world upside down. Jobs were lost, and the heart of Weatherfield was left eerily silent.
That silence didn’t last. Following serial killer Stephen Reid’s demise, Daisy Midgeley unearthed his discarded journal—one filled with incriminating notes that helped her access a hidden account. The account held funds Stephen had embezzled from Carla’s factory, Underworld. After confronting the truth and the betrayal, Carla demanded repayment, prompting Jenny to promise she’d make things right.
Fast forward to the present, and Carla has finally made her move. To recover the stolen funds and recoup her financial losses—especially after borrowing money for a life-saving kidney transplant from her incarcerated brother Rob Donovan—Carla has decided to sell the Rovers. Jenny, who once dreamed of buying the pub back, finds herself completely blindsided. Daisy, now gone from Weatherfield, had one last trick up her sleeve and disappeared with the £60,000 Jenny was counting on to buy the pub.
As Carla takes control, she appoints Glenda as the new manager, much to Jenny’s dismay. Jenny now finds herself working at The Kabin with Brian Packham, a far cry from her former role as Weatherfield’s most iconic landlady.
But through all of this drama, there’s been a strange and frustrating absence. Fans have pointed out that we never actually saw Carla discuss any of this with her girlfriend, DS Lisa Swain. Considering the monumental shifts in Carla’s life—the decision to sell the Rovers, the shocking truth about the stolen money, and her kidney transplant—many viewers feel cheated that her relationship with Lisa hasn’t been shown dealing with these major events.
On X (formerly Twitter), fan @TVMusings22 wrote: “Sorry but the fact we never got to see Lisa’s reaction to Carla owning the pub is criminal! That’s a pretty big deal and quite significant. I’d rather have seen that than fake injury gate. Why are #Swarla at the bottom the pile when it comes to scenes that matter??”
Others echoed the sentiment. One fan questioned when and how Lisa and her daughter Betsy even found out about the pub, suggesting the moment was skipped entirely in favor of less impactful subplots. Another viewer added, “There are so many missing scenes. Did Carla even tell Lisa and Betsy about the money? About Stephen’s crimes? Her health scare? And what about Bobby—where does he fit into all this?”
The central complaint among fans is that too much of Carla and Lisa’s storyline is happening off-screen. While Coronation Street has plenty of characters to juggle, viewers argue that Carla’s relationship with Lisa Swain—now co-parenting Betsy—is being neglected, especially when it comes to major life developments that would naturally impact their dynamic.
This lack of screen time is especially jarring given ITV’s recent promotion of the Carla-Lisa (or “Swarla”) pairing. They’ve even been submitted for awards, yet viewers feel the emotional heart of the couple is being overlooked. Key milestones are skipped, and their relationship development has been reduced to background moments, often only visible when dealing with Betsy’s drama.
Meanwhile, Glenda’s quick promotion to manager at the Rovers has left some fans confused and underwhelmed. While Glenda is a strong character in her own right, the speed at which she took control—without any visible consultation from Carla or recognition of Lisa’s feelings—adds to the sense that crucial emotional beats are being bypassed.
For a show known for its character-driven storytelling, this detour away from Carla’s personal life feels like a misstep. Viewers want more than business decisions and pub ownership—they want to see Carla navigating life, love, and loss with the people she cares about, especially Lisa. A conversation about trust, vulnerability, and future plans between these two could have offered rich dramatic material, especially as Carla reclaims control over her life following betrayal, financial strain, and health challenges.
At the core of the backlash is a plea for more consistent and meaningful representation of the Corrie couples that matter. Carla and Lisa’s relationship has the potential for complex, compelling storytelling. Carla is a powerhouse businesswoman with a troubled past and a fiercely loyal streak. Lisa is a straight-talking detective with a daughter and a strong sense of justice. Together, they could be one of the show’s strongest duos—but only if viewers are given the chance to watch their bond deepen on-screen.
Until then, fans are left piecing together the missing parts, imagining emotional conversations and reactions that should have been part of the narrative. They’re not asking for the soap to become “The Swarla Show”—just for the relationships that matter to get the depth and screen time they deserve.
For now, Carla stands at the helm of the Rovers once more—at least in name. But behind the scenes, her relationship with Lisa Swain remains underdeveloped, prompting passionate fans to wonder: when will Coronation Street give Carla and Lisa the spotlight they truly deserve?
