_edited.png)
In recent months, the romantic pairing of Lisa Swain and Carla Connor has gained an incredible amount of traction, with fans across the world tuning into their scenes — and that’s before the pair even confess their feelings.
With insane chemistry and palpable tension, it’s no surprise that Swarla have become a fan favourite Coronation Street couple before they’re even an item…so, let’s take a look at the story so far.
Rewind to Super Soap Week 2023. Stephen Reid is dead, suspects Carla and Peter are still married…and fans are already noticing a vibe between her and DS Lisa Swain, the detective leading the murder investigation.
@carlasbarlow, @Ixttie and @corrie0goddess via X (formerly Twitter)
Coronation Street Swarla: How it started...
While the chemistry between the two women was noticed by many, Carla was still married to Peter at the time, and Swain was a recurring guest star, only appearing when involved in major investigations. Back then, the possibility of 'Swarla' seemed like little more than a pipe dream. Thankfully, dreams sometimes come true...
In March 2024, it was announced that DS Lisa Swain had been bumped up to a series regular. When speaking about her character for this announcement, Vicky Myers told fans ‘I’m not entirely sure if everybody knows this — she’s gay’, and also admitted that somebody currently in Weatherfield may have ‘caught her eye’.
Fans naturally went on to speculate about a potential romance, looking out for clues. Guesses included Abi Franklin, Dee-Dee Bailey, and of course, Carla Connor herself.
A potential romance blossoms
As BGT week brought us drama by the bucket load, it also brought along with it something else — something subtle, and beautiful, that captivated us all instantly. As Carla sat in the car with the police officer, discussing her late wife and teenage daughter, we saw a softer, more human side of her - the 'Lisa' side, rather than the 'Swain' side.
In the six months that have followed, something beautiful has transpired. Despite Lisa insisting to Betsy that 'Carla is straight', the subtle looks and touches between the pair suggest otherwise. We've yet to have any big 'moments'; no declarations of love, no kisses...but that doesn't matter, because what we have had has been a beautiful slowburn.
We've had plenty of run ins between the pair; at the factory, the cafe, the police station, the pub, the bistro...and perhaps most excitingly, Carla's flat. From June through to October, most scenes revolved around Betsy, or work, or simply getting to know each other a bit better. On October 7th, there was a shift.
Tides changing for the better
After Lisa saved Carla from being attacked in the factory, the pair shared a bottle of red wine in the factory owner's home. The hug that followed was a clear turning point for the pair. While Lisa ran out, Carla was the one who finally started talking to Ryan about her feelings.
Despite some claiming that Carla has always been 'straight', there's no real basis for this. While all of her onscreen relationships have been with men, bisexuality exists, and it's evident that her feelings for Lisa are very real.
Whether or not she'll have any kind of sexuality crisis remains to be seen, but gender hasn't seemed to come into the equation thus far. Instead, we're on a very clear trajectory now: Carla is falling in love with Lisa, though perhaps Lisa is a little too blinded by her assumption of Carla's straightness to have realised that the feelings go both ways.
So...what's next? A discussion about their feelings? A kiss followed by one of them choosing to bolt, scared about what it means? A first date? The possibilities are endless...but with a chemistry like theirs, no matter how long it takes, a beautiful love story is undoubtedly blossoming.
What are you expecting next?
They both admit to their feelings
A kiss
Something else
