Betsy Swain’s 18th birthday on Coronation Street isn’t just a celebration, it’s also the start of a complicated love triangle between her, Brody Michaelis and Dylan Wilson.

In early scenes, Brody tries to woo Betsy with his cheekiness, jokes and teen charm, but Betsy quickly realises that Brody is “trying too hard” to impress.

This leads her to gradually turn to Dylan, who is calm, gentle and polite, a far cry from Brody’s rebelliousness. Sydney Martin, who plays Betsy, shares that the loss of Mason Radcliffe earlier in the series has given Betsy and Dylan a special connection: “They’ve been through grief together, and they have a history that makes it even deeper.”

While Brody represents the “bad boy” and the emotional outburst, Dylan brings a calmness that makes Betsy feel safe and heard.

“With Dylan, he’s a nice guy, always caring and gentle. She’s not used to that, and that’s what makes it interesting,” explains Sydney Martin. The scenes between Betsy and Dylan feature subtle interactions, sweet moments mixed with tension, making it difficult for the audience to predict how the relationship will develop.

This complex relationship is also reflected in the way Betsy interacts with her mother, Lisa Swain. While Lisa wants to protect her daughter and control the relationships around her, Betsy feels violated and restricted in her personal freedom. The tension between mother and daughter makes the love story come alive and real, and sets the stage for the emotional drama in the weeks to come. Betsy is both trying to assert herself and learning to manage new relationships, taking the audience on a journey of growing up.