BECKY SWAIN RETURNS FROM THE DEAD AS AMY CUDDEN TALKS JOINING THE CAST OF CORONATION STREET

DS Lisa Swain got the shock of her life in tonight's Coronation Street episode (Monday 8th September) when her wife that she thought had been killed in the line of duty turned up in her living room.

Following a dramatic 18th birthday for daughter Betsy Swain who witnessed an horrific hit and run, Lisa and new fiancée Carla Connor were looking forward to a quiet night in, however, when Carla nipped out to investigate an alarm going off at the factory, Lisa was stunned to be confronted by a ghost from her past.

What does the return of 'murdered' Becky mean for Carla and Lisa, how will Betsy cope with discovering the mother she thought was dead for the last four years was actually alive and in hiding?

Why has Becky chosen to return to Weatherfield now and is she here to stay?

However, in Friday's episode (12th September), Carla returns to the house to find a shocked Lisa demanding answers from her wife and in the coming weeks the plot thickens as Carla determines to find out the truth about Becky's fake death.

Speaking about how hard it was to keep the secret of Becky Swain, Amy Cudden said “Of course the impulse is that you want to just sort of shout and scream about it, but I already care about it. There has been a lot of speculation but I am so pleased we managed to keep the arrival a secret. Obviously I didn't want the fans of the show to lose any of the pleasure they're going to get from the arrival of this character and all of the big feelings that are going to come along with that. It would have felt very disrespectful to give the secret away. So I told my husband and my mum and some close family members and kept it at that.”

Talking about getting the role of Becky, Amy Cudden spoke about “I received a self-tape request from my agent for a police officer character thought to have died in the line of duty four years prior, now returning to her wife.” Before continuing about what happened next “I got an in-person chemistry read in Manchester. I met Vicky Myers on set at one of the family houses. Vicky had already done the audition with seven or eight other actors and was incredibly committed which pushed me to up my game. We did it in one take, and I initially worried I had "ruined it". Then about a week later, my agent called and said they liked me but that the character was complicated and they wanted me to try a scene showing a different side to her. I had another chemistry read with Ali and Sydney in the back room of the Rovers Return... It explored a darker side of the character and the chemistry with the two other significant people she'd be interacting with.” Before talking about getting the role “After the second chemistry read, I had to wait two weeks. When I got the call I was sitting in my son's bedroom playing Roblox with my 10-year-old son, building a campfire and killing zombies. My agent called and told me I had got the part, I was so convinced I hadn't got it that I initially replied, "Oh, well, never mind." I couldn't believe it, and it took about a week on set for it to truly sink in.”

When asked about what it's like to be work with the Coronation Street, Amy added “It has been one of the biggest privileges of any job I've ever had. Vicky Myers, Alison King and Sydney Martin are the most caring, generous, supportive, kind, patient, and talented people. We have so much fun, when they yell "cut," we're just mates. Sydney is genuinely one of the sweetest people I've ever met, and Ali and Vicky are brilliant scene partners. My character has been reformed and solidified by creating dynamics with them. They are incredibly well-established and continually evolving characters. They've been fabulous and so supportive with any questions, helping me get used to the speed of shooting scenes. I genuinely love it.”

When speaking about what she hopes viewers will get from Becky's story, Amy commented “I agree with fans who might be furious to see someone come in and disrupt one of the most beautiful on-screen relationships. It's unconscionable, and they should be angry. However, it's such a complicated relationship that other feelings will emerge as it unfolds. Things forged in fire only get stronger.” Before continuing “Becky is a "spanner in the works" but it doesn't necessarily mean the worst, though it will be very difficult. Ultimately, this makes for really good TV and a fun, emotional, challenging, but rewarding journey for everyone. We want to give viewers a really good show; if everything was always wrapped up neatly, it wouldn't be interesting. Come with us on this journey!”

When asked about what she knew of Becky's character and background, Amy said “I had a long conversation with Kate Brooks, the day after I got the part and that was when I realised what a big story it was going to be. I went in knowing more about Carla and Lisa's relationship through my research of old episodes. I was given a "robust skeleton sketch" of Becky, but a lot was left for me to fill in. Vicky and I discussed their shared history, including songs important to them, their wedding dance, first date, and who proposed.”

Talking about why Becky has returned now, Amy added “Becky's wife, Lisa is about to get engaged and married to another woman, Carla. It was dangerous for Becky to return before, but her primary objective is to be with her wife and daughter. While there wasn't a direct threat to that central family unit, she kept her distance. Now that Carla is a clear threat and Lisa and Carla are deeply in love, Becky feels she must return to try and reclaim her family even if that puts her at risk.”

When Amy was asked about Swarla, she said “Yes, it would be hard not to, there is so much about them online... Even though I don't watch much TV due to lack of time, it was a phenomenon you'd hear about on the news or online.”

Before being asked about she hopes viewers will get from her story, Amy said “I agree with fans who might be furious to see someone come in and disrupt one of the most beautiful on-screen relationships. It's unconscionable, and they should be angry. However, it's such a complicated relationship that other feelings will emerge as it unfolds.” Before continuing “Becky is a "spanner in the works" but it doesn't necessarily mean the worst, though it will be very difficult. Ultimately, this makes for really good TV and a fun, emotional, challenging, but rewarding journey for everyone. We want to give viewers a really good show; if everything was always wrapped up neatly, it wouldn't be interesting. Come with us on this journey!” Before teasing about Costello's involvement “What we know so far about Becky and Costello's relationship is just the tip of the iceberg; what's underneath is much more complicated and hidden. It will be a lot of fun watching that unfold.”

Coronation Street continues on Friday at 8pm on ITV1 as well as on ITVX/ YouTube at 7am.