Coronation Street Star Todd Boyce Reveals Stephen Reid’s Ending Was Changed — and Why
Coronation Street villain Stephen Reid may have met a grisly end in 2023, but according to actor Todd Boyce, his murderous storyline almost looked very different. The actor has now revealed that the killer’s final act — and his romance with Jenny Connor — were originally meant to unfold over a much longer arc.
Stephen’s Reign of Terror Cut Short
Todd Boyce first joined Coronation Street in 1996, with his character returning to Weatherfield in 2022 after years away. At first, Stephen’s return seemed innocent enough — a son reconnecting with his mother, Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls). But it didn’t take long for the charming businessman’s mask to slip.
Stephen descended into darkness, committing three murders to hide his lies and financial crimes. He killed Leo Thompkins, Teddy Thompkins, and Rufus Donahue, leaving fans stunned by how far he would go to protect his secrets.
The spree came to an end when Stephen was struck by Peter Barlow’s (Chris Gascoyne) car in a shocking climax that left Jenny (Sally Ann Matthews) heartbroken and Weatherfield reeling.
But according to Boyce, the original plan would have let Stephen’s story breathe — and perhaps even fooled viewers into lowering their guard.
A Love Story That Never Happened
Speaking on the Inside Soap podcast, Todd revealed that Coronation Street’s producers initially intended for Stephen and Jenny’s relationship to continue for several more months before tragedy struck.
“I know Iain MacLeod [then Executive Producer] toyed for a little while with me being with Jenny and everything calming down,” Boyce explained.
“I was contracted at a year and a half. That was how long we thought it would take. Then they toyed with another six months, with the idea that I would move in with Jenny, hang around the Rovers, work at the factory — and we’d have this proper love story where everything’s forgotten for a while.”
The plan was to make Stephen’s eventual downfall even more tragic, giving him and Jenny a chance at redemption before his crimes caught up with him.
Why the Story Was Cut Short
Ultimately, the creative team decided the audience’s patience had run out. Viewers had seen enough of Stephen’s cold-blooded killings, and the appetite for justice was overwhelming.
“I think the audience was just baying for blood at that point!” Boyce admitted with a laugh. “I didn’t even dare look at social media. I think they’d had enough, so we said let’s call it at a year and a half.”
The final storyline delivered just that: Stephen’s chaotic downfall, a public reckoning, and a dramatic death that gave fans the closure they demanded.
Aftermath: Peter and Carla’s Heartbreaking Goodbye
Stephen’s death also triggered the emotional exit of Peter Barlow, who struggled with guilt over killing him. Though he escaped prison time, Peter’s mental health deteriorated as he tried to move on.
Sensing his turmoil, Carla Connor (Alison King) gave him a one-way ticket to Spain for Christmas — a bittersweet gift that symbolized freedom and heartbreak in equal measure.
The special farewell episode focused entirely on Carla and Peter reflecting on their turbulent love story, offering fans a poignant goodbye to one of Coronation Street’s most complex couples.
A Villain Remembered
Though Stephen’s reign of terror was cut short, Todd Boyce’s chilling performance left an indelible mark on Coronation Street history. What could have been a slow-burning romance turned into one of the soap’s darkest and most explosive storylines — and cemented Stephen Reid’s legacy as one of Weatherfield’s most unforgettable villains.