“Carla’s breakdown was fulfilling, but so full-on – I’m so glad she has better times ahead!”
As Corrie scoops the Inside Soap Award for Best Show-stopper, we chat to Alison King about the toughest year of her alter ego’s life…
It’s so important to show that this can happen to anybody,” explains Corrie star Alison King, as we chat to her about the mental health issues her character Carla has battled with in the past year. “Everybody has a trip switch, and everybody can break – even people who we see as strong and independent. The mind is such a delicate thing. Most people don’t know when someone else has a mental illness – you wouldn’t know unless you talk about it.”
Carla’s endured one of the toughest years of her life, in the wake of her business Underworld collapsing – quite literally – and killing Rana Habeeb in the process. With many locals initially pointing the finger of blame at Carla, it’s no wonder she spiralled into a mental health crisis, which eventually presented itself as full-blown psychosis.
MIND OVER MATTER
Viewers had a glimpse into Carla’s mind during a special episode, in which she saw visions of Rana, as well as her late pal Hayley Cropper and her dead brother, Aidan. It was a tough episode to watch – so the fact that it won Best Show-stopper at the Inside Soap Awards is a coup for Corrie, and for Alison, too.
“It’s a really, really nice thing to happen,” grins the star, when we catch up with her a couple of days after the ceremony. “It was a great time to win this, as well, because it was the same week as World Mental Health Day. It’s great to see that this storyline is getting as much attention as it can get, because it’s raising awareness for everyone who’s suffering from mental health issues.” Carla spent months in the grips of psychosis, and only recently has she started to get her life back on track with the help of her loved ones, and medical professionals. And Alison is keen to stress that this will be an ongoing battle for her character.
“This was a pivotal moment in her life,” she tells us. “Carla is on antipsychotic tablets, so it’s still going to affect her. It has definitely changed her as a person.”
REAL-LIFE TOLL
And it’s not just Carla’s life that was changed by her illness. Alison admits that filming the gruelling scenes took a toll on her, too, as she couldn’t help but take her work home with her.
“I had 13 weeks of being psychotic, and acting out panic attacks,” she tells us. “And that was really tough. Now that I’m looking back, I can say that it was nice to explore a different side to my character. However, at the time,
I was like, ‘Don’t give me any more of this – I can’t do it for much longer!’
“Even though you’re not really going through it, your body thinks you are,” continues Alison. “You’re terrified and shaking, and you’re sending those messages out to your body. I would go home shattered – my poor fiancé David saw me in some right states!”
While it was tough for Alison, though, she’s quick to point out that it’s much tougher for those who are living with mental health issues day in, day out.
“We talked to a lady who suffers really bad episodes of psychosis, and she was so helpful, along with the charity MIND,” she reveals. “But psychosis varies, and this lady was quite timid and afraid. I can’t even imagine how exhausted the people are who suffer on and off, continuously.
“It’s great to see this storyline getting as much attention as it can get…”
“There was a huge reaction to this story, which was great,” adds Alison. “We helped put viewers in touch with people who can help, and we put them in touch with one another, too. It’s great – they meet up with each other and talk about what they’re going through, and that’s really nice to know.”
FAMILY MATTERS
Now that Carla finally has the help she needs, and her psychosis is being treated, life is gradually getting a bit easier for her. It’s been a delight to see her finally settled with boyfriend Peter, having been welcomed back into the bosom of the Barlow family.
“There’s some really nice Barlow stuff coming up,” shares Alison. “Daniel’s obviously going to struggle in the wake of Sinead’s death, and Peter and Carla are very much there for him. He needs help with baby Bertie and all those things, so they’re being quite parental and domestic at the moment. It’s all very grown-up! It’s nice for them to have a gentler period…”
It’s not just the Barlows who will need Carla over the coming weeks, though. We’ve already seen behind-the-scenes snaps of her and best friend Michelle catching out two-timing Robert with his pregnant mistress, Vicky! And Alison’s very much looking forward to Carla being a supportive friend to Michelle when the truth comes out.
“We’re getting closer to the big Robert reveal,” she grins. “There’s lots of good Carla and Michelle stuff, which I always enjoy doing. I love working with Kym [Marsh, aka Michelle] – she’s brilliant. And it’s all really exciting, juicy stuff.
“It’s good to be in a supporting role for once, too,” adds Alison. “I have some motherly stuff coming up with Carla’s little fake families – and it’s good for someone else to be getting the drama!”
“We’re getting closer to the big Robert reveal – it’s very exciting, juicy stuff!”