The return of Becky Swain from the dead has caused quite a storm on Coronation Street. Fans have been divided, with many feeling frustrated as her reappearance disrupts the once-stable dynamic between Lisa Swain and Carla Connor. But it turns out that viewers weren’t the only ones uneasy about the twist; even one of Corrie’s own writers had strong feelings about the decision when it was first proposed.
Debate Over Becky’s Return Sparks in the Writers’ Room
On the Stateside Street podcast, Coronation Street writer Jen McVerry revealed that she was furious when she first heard about the plan to bring Becky back. She described the pitch as something that landed like a “grenade” in the writers’ room, sparking immediate disagreement among the team. According to McVerry, the idea was initially tossed out almost as a joke, but it quickly gathered momentum, leading to heated discussions behind closed doors.
The writer recalled that the proposal was “really contentious”. In fact, the team argued for quite some time over whether the move made sense for the story. At first, she couldn’t even remember who suggested it. But she said it might have started off as an offhand comment that spiraled into a full-fledged storyline. McVerry explained that the concept was “initially laughed off”. She said she was completely against the idea and admitted that she felt genuinely angry about it.
Jen McVerry Admits She Was “So Angry” About the Idea
The writer didn’t hold back when explaining her concerns. She said she worried the storyline would betray the audience’s trust and undermine Lisa’s pain and emotion. From her perspective, it felt like undoing years of storytelling that had portrayed Lisa’s loss as real and meaningful. McVerry also admitted that she feared the storyline could reflect poorly on the fictional police force in the show. She felt that there were too many plot holes to make the twist believable, calling the concept “ridiculous and outrageous.”
Despite her resistance, the decision stood and Becky’s return from the dead aired, shocking both fans and the Swain family. When the episodes finally aired, viewers were left torn. Some were intrigued by the dramatic twist. While others were disappointed to see the tension it brought to Lisa and Carla’s relationship. The decision became one of the most talked-about storylines in recent Corrie memory.
Despite her initial frustration, McVerry eventually found herself deeply involved in bringing Becky’s resurrection to life. She revealed that she and fellow writer Ella Greenhill were tasked with shaping the story. They took it on as a challenge, determined to fix what they saw as flaws in the concept. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest Coronation Street updates and behind-the-scenes drama.