Marc Baylis is set to revive his notorious character Rob Donovan on the iconic soap Coronation Street, much to the astonishment of fans and his sister, Carla Connor. Since his debut on the show in 2012, Rob has become synonymous with chaos, betrayal, and scandal, particularly involving his own sister, played by Alison King.
Rob burst onto the scene as the rebellious younger brother of Carla, creating tumultuous storylines filled with sordid affairs and treachery. His history reached its peak with the heinous murder of Tina McIntyre, portrayed by Michelle Keegan, which he orchestrated to conceal his wrongdoings. After being sentenced to life imprisonment, viewers last saw Rob after he managed to escape from prison and briefly returned to the show before his departure in 2017. Now it is confirmed he will make his anticipated return next year.
The exciting news was announced by the show's new executive producer, Kate Brooks, who stated, "We last left Rob languishing in prison. But he [Rob] definitely causes a lot of trouble for Carla and Lisa. Just when Carla and Lisa think it’s safe to sit down and watch Netflix, Rob Donovan...scuppers all of it," as reported by Plymouth Live. The twist will not only shake things up for Carla but will also present challenges for her budding romance with Detective DS Lisa Swain, played by Vicky Myers.
Brooks teased fans with hints about Rob's potential transformation upon his return, stating: "We think he might be a reformed character. We think he's seen the error of his ways, whether that's the case or not, I don't know." This ambiguity leaves viewers questioning how much Rob has changed since being locked away.
Carla’s relationship with Lisa has provided her with some joy after dealing with Rob’s problematic past. Brooks remarked, "It's going to be eventful for Carla and Lisa, let's put it this way." She elaborated on how the unexpected interference from Rob would serve as quite the test for Carla and Lisa early on in their relationship.
Besides the romantic tensions, Corrie fans can expect plenty of drama as Brooks promises lots of twists and turns, stating, "I love Rob and Carla and tappinginto their past and their history together. And we really explorethat through this story. There's so many twists and turns along the way. It's really exciting. What I like about this story isthat Carla and Lisa are finally together and finally united, and then this drops on them and they're a bit like, 'How didthat happen?'"
The fallout from Rob Donovan's return is poised to reverberate throughout the street. Fans are reminded of the perilous past his character shares with Carla and how complicated relationships can twist and turn, especially amid unforeseen circumstances. Brooks hinted at other familiar faces joining Rob on the show soon, hinting at broader chaos descending on Weatherfield.
Even though the plot surrounding Rob’s return emphasizes romance and family dynamics, danger lurks around the corner. Other characters, like Ryan Connor, who has ties to Carla through friendship and previous challenges, are also mentioned. Ryan's concern over Carla's well-being playsintegral to the plot, especially with her health issues becoming more prominent.
Recently, viewers learned about Carla facing severe health challenges, as she has been diagnosed with kidney damage and may need another transplant. This adds another layer to the complications stemming from her relationship with Rob and presents the possibility of Ryan, her friend, offering to donate one of his kidneys, which Carla refuses, leading Bobby Crawford to visit his father Rob in prison pleading for him to step up as her donor.
So, as Coronation Street gears up for this major return, viewers are left eagerly anticipating how Rob Donovan's character will shape the future of the storylines they know and love. Kate Brooks summed it up quite nicely: "It's not just a couple of episodes – it’s agood chunk. The return will explore how Rob has evolved during his time away and how his next moves will shake the foundations of relationships on the show."
Be sure to tune in when Coronation Street returns to ITV at 8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, where all the dramatic twists involving Rob Donovan will come to the fore once more. It promises to be as eventful as ever, and for Carla, quite the tumultuous ride is on the horizon!
