Coronation Street confirms shock return of huge killer character after 8 years
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There’s a massive shock for the residents of Coronation Street as show boss Kate Brooks has confirmed the return of murderer Rob Donovan, with Marc Baylis reprising the role for an extended stint in 2025. The character, who was incarcerated after killing Tina McIntyre in 2014, will return to the life of half-sister Carla Connor (Alison King), throwing her whole world – and her cosy new relationship with Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) – into chaos.
![[Promotional Coronation Street picture of Rob Donovan in a suit]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/soaps-tina-suspect-6-17c1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
As the new year gets underway, Carla will be hoping for a bit of a quieter time following a turbulent year and then a hospitalisation with sepsis. But Corrie bosses have other ideas! Confirming in the same breath that Carla and Lisa’s relationship will be a prominent focus of the year ahead, producer Kate Brooks warned that Rob will throw the cat amongst the pigeons.
![[Rob Donovan with his arms folded in Coronation Street]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/embargo_coro_rob_donovan-ed2c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
And not just for this pair either – we also know that he is the father of Bobby Crawford (Jack Carroll), which will leave a lot to unpack too!. Kate also told Metro that Lisa’s daughter Betsy (Sydney Martin) would also have a significant role to play, but was more coy over what exactly brings Rob back – and whether he is as reformed as he wants us all to think.
![[Rob Donovan closes in on a scared looking Carla Connor in Coronation Street]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CS71399615-d848.webp?w=646)
‘There are other familiar faces coming back in 2025 which I will not disclose, but a few people will be returning to the street to cause their own forms of chaos!’ she assured us. ‘First up is Rob. We last left Rob languishing in prison. He made mistakes. He comes back to the show and we think he might be a reformed character who has seen the error of his ways, but whether that’s the case or not, I don’t know!.
![[Carla Connor emerging from the bedroom wrapped in a sheet while Lisa Swain stands by the table in a dressing gown in Coronation Street]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20_12_coro_lisa_carla_03-a5e4.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
