Coronation Street star Sydney Martin has revealed she will be taking on a separate role to the one she currently has on the ITV soap. The actress plays Betsy Swain on the Cobbles, her first job in acting.
The 23-year-old plays the role of an 18-year-old on the show, she will be staying in the soap but has announced an exciting project alongside it. Sydney will play the role of young-adult Rose in short film ‘Through the Eyes of Bairns’. The film will be about growing up in the shadow of domestic abuse.
On Instagram, in a collaborated post with EyesofBairnsfilm, a statement said: “Introducing the incredible Sydney Martin who’ll be playing the role of Young Adult Rose.
“During flashbacks, we’ll see how Rose came to be estranged from her father, Ivan, all those years ago. Rose has always been headstrong but as we watch her grow and discover who she is, Rose also uncovers the dark secret of who her father really is and just what horrors he’s capable of.”
The Betsy Swain actress has received an abundance of support from Coronation Street co-stars and friends. Michelle Hardwick, who plays Vanessa on Emmerdale commented: “Can’t wait”, with praising hand emojis.
Cait Fitton, known for the role of Lauren Bolton, shares a close bond with the actress off-screen. The two are regularly together off-set and have been vocal about their strong bond. She wrote “Proud of you my besto”, while Abi Webster star Sally Carman added “Congratulations!”
Fans of the soap star were equally as pleased for Sydney. One fan wrote: “OMG this is going to be amazing” and another said “Fantastic to see your career going from strength to strength. Congratulations.”
Others commented: “So proud of you sweet girl keep shining my little star” and “You will be amazing, just like you are fantastic playing the gorgeous Betsy! Stunning Sydney.”
Speaking about getting into acting last year, Sydney told the ECHO and other press: “In this industry, it can be so hard because you deal with so much rejection but, just to get a recall and meet [DS Swain star] Vicky [Myers], I just took it as a good experience I didn’t take it as I was gonna get it.
“When you’re starting off in this career, any bit of hope is lovely. It’s all about meeting people and networking, that’s what makes it such a beautiful industry.”
Sydney won’t be the only soap star to be taking on a role in the short film. Michelle Hardwick will be joining the cast as Rose. Describing the character she will be playing, the movie producers say: “Rose has always had a strong moral compass but she’s thrown for a loop when her estranged father asks to see her on his death bed.
“Now happily married to her wife, Rose is a million miles from her difficult upbringing. She hasn’t seen her dad in over twenty years and if it was up to her she’d quite happily never see him again.”
She also received plenty of supportive messages from co-stars and fans. One fan said: “Thought for a min you was leaving Emmerdale was gonna cause uproar, massive good luck on your new adventure.”
A second fan wrote: “So proud of Michelle! Cannot wait to see her smash it”, further comments included “Can’t wait for this!! You’re gonna be amazing” and “Congratulations Michelle Hardwick so proud.”