Sydney Martin has quickly made an impact on Coronation Street as Betsy Swain. Since joining the show last June—she’s caught viewers’ attention with her portrayal of a rebellious teen. But before she landed the role, Sydney worked six days a week at Tesco and used her earnings to pursue her acting dreams.
Unlike many in the industry, Sydney doesn’t come from a showbiz background. When Sydney got the call for Coronation Street, she handed in her notice at Tesco before even telling her family. She used her earnings to pursue her acting dreams. But it’s her talent and her charm that has earned her the recognition.
Coronation Street: Sydney’s Off-Screen Bonds
One of the things Sydney enjoys most about working on Coronation Street is the close bond she shares with her co-stars. She’s formed strong connections with Vicky Myers and Alison King—who play her on-screen mums, Lisa Swain and Carla Connor.
During a TikTok live with Cait Fitton, who plays Lauren Bolton, Sydney spoke about how lucky she feels to work with them. When asked about having Vicky and Alison as her on-screen mums, she replied, “You really couldn’t ask for better. I am very, very lucky.”
It’s these off-screen friendships that have been the fuel to their sparking on-screen chemistry. Betsy’s complex relationship with Carla, in particular, has always seemed quite interesting. It took Betsy a while to accept her mum moving on from her previous relationship—but her bond with Carla grew deeper when she offered to use her inheritance to help Carla pay for a kidney transplant. We got to see a completely different side of Betsy’s character because of this storyline.
It’s clear that Sydney has put in a lot of effort. However, Sydney’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She received a nomination for “Best Soap Newcomer” in less than a year after joining the show. Although she didn’t win, attending her first awards ceremony and being recognised for her role was a big deal for her.
In less than a year, Sydney has gone from stacking shelves at Tesco to lighting up television screens across the UK. We can’t wait to see what’s waiting ahead for her. Until the next update about her drops in, stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily and check out the other Coronation Street updates.
