List of ''Emmerdale'' characters (2017)

Emmerdale is a British soap opera first broadcast on 16 October 1972. The following is a list of characters that first appeared or will appear during 2017, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the series producer Iain MacLeod. Ethan, Jason and Maggie made their debuts in February. Nell Fairfax was introduced in March, while Matt arrived in May.

Maggie

Maggie, played by Philippa Howell, made her first appearance on 10 February 2017.^[1] Howell was contracted for eight episodes as dementia patient Maggie. The character was among Howell's first roles since she returned to acting after 20 years as an actors' agent.^[1]

Maggie resides at Turnfield Court Care Home, where is suffering from dementia. She befriends the newly arrived Ashley Thomas (John Middleton). Ashley's wife Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) meets Maggie outside Ashley's room, and Maggie asks her how her hair looks. Laurel initially mistakes Maggie for a visitor. Laurel later sees Ashley and Maggie talking and laughing together, and she and her stepdaughter Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) decide to leave them alone. When Laurel brings a picnic for Ashley, she realises that Ashley is more interested in spending time with Maggie. She also notices them holding hands. Ashley gives Maggie his wedding ring, and when Laurel tries to get it back, Maggie slaps her. Ashley later kisses Maggie in front of Laurel, Gabby and Arthur Thomas (Alfie Clarke). Laurel asks that Ashley and Maggie are kept apart, but when she learns that Ashley is hiding food in his pockets for Maggie, she relents. Laurel prepares a meal for Ashley and Maggie, but becomes upset when they start holding hands and she leaves. Ashley later leaves the care home and dies at home.

Ethan

Ethan, played by Michael Warrender, made his first appearance on 23 February 2017.^[2] Warrender auditioned for the role at the end of 2016 and learned he had secured the part shortly before Christmas. He commented, "My agent called and said the director loved me and wanted to give me the role. I couldn't believe it, I was just so shocked. It was a brilliant Christmas present."^[2] Warrender began filming in January 2017 and Emmerdale marked his first role.^[2] Ethan is Aaron Dingle's (Danny Miller) cellmate.^[2]

Aaron meets Ethan in their cell and Ethan threatens him, before revealing that he is joking. Ethan asks Aaron for photos of his girlfriend, but Aaron does not have any, so Ethan gives him a page of his calendar. Ethan introduces Aaron to fellow inamte Jason (Samuel Edward-Cook). Aaron tries to defend another prisoner when Jason begins shouting homophobic abuse at him. Ethan questions Aaron, and Aaron tells him that his brother is gay. Ethan admits that he does not like the homophobic abuse either, as his best friend is a lesbian, but things are different behind bars. A week later, Jason reveals Aaron is gay and Ethan begins acting hostile towards him. After Aaron is beaten up by Jason, Ethan offers Aaron some spice. Aaron asks Ethan to get him some more in time for his visit later, but Ethan tells him he cannot. He also reveals that Jason is the only dealer on the wing. Aaron agrees to sell drugs for Jason, against Ethan's warnings that his appeal will be in jeopardy if he is caught.

Jason

Jason, played by Samuel Edward-Cook, made his first appearance on 23 February 2017.^[3] Jason is an inmate at HMP Hotten, who subjects Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) to homophobic abuse.^[3] Edward-Cook accepted the role as he knew it would be challenging. He said, "it wasn't too daunting or out of my comfort zone as characters like Jason are attractive because they're so removed from me as a person. It was a really exciting opportunity."^[3] The actor was aware that his character was going to be hated, and found support from the cast and crew during his "heavier scenes" where Jason was violent and homophobic.^[3] Edward-Cook called Jason a "twisted, angry young man" and thought it was left to the viewers to guess the reason why. However, he added that if Jason returned, it would be good to explore his backstory.^[3] Lindsay branded Jason a "vicious top dog" and "an unsavoury character who has certainly stirred up a reaction among fans."^[3]

Jason meets Aaron Dingle on his first day at HMP Hotten. Jason is impressed that Aaron belongs to the Dingle family and asks about his uncle Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley). Jason targets a gay inmate and shouts homophobic abuse at him, but Aaron stands up for him. Jason realises Aaron is gay after seeing him with his boyfriend Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) during visiting hours. Jason later makes a comment to Aaron's mother Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) about her son being gay, and Chas warns him to stay away from Aaron. Jason and Aaron fight, and he later learns that Aaron is the son of former inmate Gordon Livesy (Gary Mavers). Jason taunts Aaron, who punches him. Jason and his gang attack Aaron in his cell later that day. Jason also throws Aaron into the cell where Gordon hung himself. Aaron later asks Jason for some spice, and Jason agrees to give him some if Aaron delivers drugs to other inmates.

Nell Fairfax

Nell Fairfax, played by Scarlett Archer, made her first screen appearance on 30 March 2017.^[4] Archer was a fan of the show, before she was cast as Nell. She found the filming schedule to be "quite terrifying".^[5] She said she enjoyed playing Nell, adding "It's always fun to play someone who is quite different from you in real life, and Nell is very much that. I'm much more grounded and more confident than her!"^[5] Nell was introduced as a new friend for Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson). When Jai meets Nell at Narcotics Anonymous, she reminds him of his deceased girlfriend Holly Barton (Sophie Powles) and becomes determined to help her.^[4]

It was announced on 9 July 2017 that the character would be departing the serial at the conclusion of her storyline. Nell's departure comes "as a blow" for Jai, with Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy predicting the departure would feature "more of the same" drama that Nell had featured in prior to her departure.^[6] Producers chose to not disclose details of Nell's departure at the time of its announcement.^[6]

While attending a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in the village hall, Nell listens as Jai Sharma talks about his late girlfriend Holly Barton, and how he blames himself for her death. Nell then tells her story and Jai realises that there are parallels between her and Holly. Nell thanks Jai for his encouragement and Jai offers her his coat, as she is shivering. Jai later finds his coat at the hall, but without his wallet, which was in the pocket. Nell initially denies taking it, but soon returns it when Jai threatens to call the police. Jai takes Nell to lunch at The Woolpack. Nell finds Jai the following day and asks for some money, but Jai refuses as he does not trust her. A few weeks later, Nell overdoses and she contacts Jai. He collects her from the hospital and invites her to stay at his home, Holdgate Farm. His sister, Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade), does not want Nell around her daughter Amba Metcalfe (Ava Jayasinghe), so Nell leaves. Jai offers her a job at his sweet factory and pays for a room at the local B&B for her. When Nell notices Jai's daughter, Eliza (Kyrena Robinson), has been left alone in Megan Macey's (Gaynor Faye) car, she takes Eliza and tries to find Jai at the factory. Nell later tells Jai that her own daughter, Rosie, was taken away by Social Services and did not want the same thing to happen to Eliza.

Jai and Nell start dating and Nell lives in his house. Jai starts to wonder if they are moving too fast and suggests that she moves out, but changes his mind after he sees her cutting herself. Nell plans to meet the social worker, however she gets the news that Rosie has died following a heart condition, devastating her. She later attends the funeral but cannot face Rosie's adoptive parents.

Matt

Matt, played by Jack Hickey, made his first appearance on 12 May 2017.^[7] The character and casting details were announced on 9 May.^[8] Matt is the former boyfriend of Carly Hope (Gemma Atkinson), and the father of her son, Billy, who died shortly after he was born. Matt comes to the village to ask Carly why she did not inform him about Billy's death at the time.^[8] Speaking to an Irish Daily Star reporter, Hickey called the storyline "a heartbreaking one" and said, "Matt is a grieving dad, and he and Carly have a complicated and dark history. And it's safe to say he comes back to confront her on several levels."^[9] Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy also hinted that another resident would "have their eye on Matt".^[8] Matt departed the village with Carly on 2 June 2017.^[10]

Tim Richards

Tim Richards, played by Mark Moraghan, made his first appearance on 5 July 2017.^[11] The character and Moraghan's casting were announced on 13 June.^[12] Tim is Chrissie White's (Louise Marwood) biological uncle.^[12]

Tim sends Chrissie a letter telling her that her adoptive father Lawrence White (John Bowe) has been lying to her about her biological father, John. Lawrence reads the letter and pays Tim a visit warning him to stay away from his family. Tim, wanting to meet Chrissie as she is the only family he has left, initially refuses but reluctantly agrees to stay away when Lawrence has him beaten up by a thug. Lawrence pays him money to stay away and then leaves.

Others

References

External links

• Characters and cast at itv.com
• Characters and cast at the Internet Movie Database