Coronation Street confirms shocking story for Stephen Reid and Carla Connor

Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod has teased a showdown in the rivalry between villain Stephen Reid and Carla Connor.

A 2023 storyline will see Leo's killer Stephen (Todd Boyce) and Underworld owner Carla (Alison King) in a head-to-head conflict as they work together. Stephen is trying to get back in the textile business following his financial troubles, while Carla is determined to show him who's truly in charge, leading to a potentially bloody outcome.

"He sees his first step back on the ladder to the top of the international rag trade as getting a gig in Underworld and toppling current queen of the pile, Carla," MacLeod told Digital Spy and other press.

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"Psychological warfare begins between those two, complete with knowledge on viewers' part that Stephen has killed someone. So when Carla belittles Stephen and makes him make the tea, undercutting him in front of clients, she is unwittingly poking this hornet's nest," he continued.

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MacLeod also confirmed Carla and Stephen's storyline will go down an unexpected path.

"If anyone predicts what Stephen does to Carla, I'll eat my hat. His plan is so out there and dark that I'd be incredibly surprised if anyone spots it coming over the hill."

Their disagreements will affect Carla's marriage to Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne).

"Peter's role in that is being deeply concerned about his wife's history of mental health problems," MacLeod explained.

"[He] will put Carla offside by trying to be overprotective and fight her battles, intervening in an unhelpful way to suggest her priorities are all wrong.

"We want to play them as a couple that bicker and fall out, like over Peter's conspiracy-mindedness. We're dramatising tensions that exist in a normal couple that have different political views. They are bubbling along nicely, but in readiness for when Carla is thrust into Stephen's crosshairs and the danger that comes with that."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.