King of the Connors
It's been a hard journey for Johnny so far. With the truth now out about being Carla's dad, Richard Hawley tells us what it's like being a Connor on the cobbles.
Does Johnny feel like a real dad to Carla?
I think it’ll take time to start to feel like her dad and it’s been very interesting to think about- in some ways you don’t just ‘love’ someone, you take the responsibility for them first. I think Johnny is relieved that Carla now knows the truth, because now he can be himself completely. When you live your life based on a secret you have to build endless structures in order to safeguard it, and you can never quite be yourself. There’s been a lie at the centre of his world for years and now it’s out there - and that was rough and scary and he was forced into confronting it, but it’s actually been for the best. It’s going to take some time but I think the family can now flourish without this lie at the centre of them all, holding them all back.
Does he feel guilt over what’s happened to Carla through her childhood without him there?
Johnny of course feels guilt, he wasn’t there for her and he just couldn’t look at things in the time. I think he’s put to one side the bad memories and he’s selective memory and remembers all of the good times they had together. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves and reinhabit some of the good times, which I think Carla needs to do - but equally, if you think everything was perfect in a past time you’d do well to be reminded of the harder times - which Johnny needs to do! Johnny idealises a lot as a coping strategy.
After Carla finds out the truth, do you think Johnny acts extra supportive of Carla to make up for lost time?
Yes I do and I think he overcooks a few attempts to prove himself as a good and protective dad. He rushes at it like a bull, he could have been a bit more subtle and a bit more diplomatic but that’s the way he is - and the way Carla is too, they’re actually very similar. They have a tendency to bury their issues and get on with it, and then in the end they end up hitting a destruct button because you can’t quite work life like that. I think the situation is doing them both good, because there is a love and an affection there. Before the love between them they have to establish respect - he has to respect her as a business woman, as a survivor, and she has to respect him too.
Aidan took the news very badly...how will Johnny deal with that?
He reacts very badly and that’s because he’s really hurting. Johnny decides to endure Aidan’s backlash and to consistently tell Aidan how much he loves him. Johnny knows Aidan well enough to know that his pain has to come out and he has to take a swing or two. He’s angry because he’s hurting and there’s nothing Johnny can do about it other than stay by his side and love him. He will tell Aidan that he can’t get rid of him, that he’s not going anywhere, because he loves him.
What are his feelings when he overhears Carla talking about her one night stand with Robert?
That is almost the first rush of paternal feeling that Johnny gets, the first rush of the Connor dad endorphins! He sees that Carla has a chance of happiness with a good man, Nick, and the potential for that to be ruined. He then considers Robert and questions who the hell he is, messing with his daughter! Johnny becomes fiercely protective, it’s a very emotional reaction and feeling and one that a father does often have to tone down. Johnny goes too far and starts to want to punch Robert!
Why does he threaten Robert, even though he assures Carla he won’t?
It’s a primitive response. If I’m honest, he’s gone ten steps ahead of his brain. He promised Carla he wouldn’t and he went against that. But there in a process of lots of stuff coming out and Carla has to face up to some truths as well.
What does he say to Robert? How does Robert react?
Johnny tells Robert that he’s got to leave the Bistro and to get out of it altogether. To be fair to Robert he says look, nothing’s going to happen, I won’t be telling anyone. Johnny says that that isn’t enough, that Robert has to leave Weatherfield and leave their lives for good. I think there’s an element of grand gesture in there. There’s a sense that Robert and Johnny don’t like each other and I think Johnny is starting to see the Barlow as a bit of a nuisance and they’ve been getting in his way - he’s already been Tracy-ed! Johnny is very weary of them and wants them out of the way. I think Johnny is being grandstanding about it, because he wants to be the one to sort this out.
Carla blames Johnny for her having one night stand. How does that make him feel?
He knows he has to ride the storm. Johnny is emotionally intelligent enough to know that this is a matter of course. In some sense, Johnny is ten steps ahead of his children. He’s already had to deal with the pain and the anguish and the fear because he was the one who was blackmailed by Rob. He’s watching a lifetime of deceit implode and collapse. It’s a bit like how Aidan is behaving - Johnny is expecting Carla’s reaction to be like this, and he will tell her that he isn’t going to give up on the family, and he won’t stop trying. His basic take on it is that they will get through this. Johnny also knows that you can’t keep blaming other people - yes, Carla has had a hard time, but if she’s chosen to go under then that’s the decision she’s made. It’s a fault of circumstances and the stuff their lives are made up of and he says that - he’s sorry, but that’s the way it was. The reasons for keeping it secret all these years were honourable at the time. He did it to protect his children.
What happens when Carla confronts Johnny about his words with Robert? Is she furious with him?
She’s very cross, because she asked him not to say a word.
What have viewers made of Johnny and the Connors?
I’ve had a very positive response. There’s a burst of energy come from the Connors and they’ve helped with the dynamics that are already going on on the Street. People have found Johnny funny, sad and also have found him to be a bad guy - and that’s the bit I’m interested in. Johnny is sharp with his business and he can be ruthless. None of us are wholly good or wholly bad and I’m sure Johnny is both - I’m looking forward to exploring that even further.
Johnny has some good friendships already - what do you think will happen with Liz?
Liz has developed into a confidante for Johnny, she’s still in her own place and has been left wounded by her last romance. Johnny has found Liz’s presence and her friendship comforting and he enjoys talking to her. He can be honest with Liz. I thought Johnny would turn up on the Street as a womaniser, but I’ve realised he’s not. He’s got quite a withheld relationship with women in some ways. He likes talking to women, he enjoys their company, he likes a strong woman too. But I think in terms of emotions, Johnny deeply loved his wife and he’s been a single dad for a very, very long time. I don’t think there have been many women since his wife died. He’s maybe had one or two fumbled attempts at relationships, so when Johnny finds love I think it’ll have depth to it.
How are you enjoying Corrie and being a Connor?
I’m immensely privileged, I feel hugely blessed. It’s a fantastic opportunity and everyone has been welcoming. The Connors are a fantastic family to work with. I feel we’re now dug in, we’ve got our foundations and there’s lots more to come. It’s been a big learning process. The Connors are a clan, and I would love us to be one of those Coronation Street families that goes down in history.