EMMERDALE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF DRAMA
Emmerdale celebrates its landmark 50th birthday on Sunday 16 October.
To mark the occasion, cast members including Louise Jameson, Kevin Mathurin, Emile John and Lawrence Robb, who have joined the soap in recent years have come together for a special birthday shoot.
Each of the actors have been cast by Emmerdale’s Casting Director, Faye Styring, who has been casting the show for seventeen years. Together with her team of four colleagues, Faye is continually looking to nurture new and emerging talent.
Emmerdale Casting Director, Faye Styring said: “As a team we are passionate about finding new talent and the right actor for the role. All of these actors have really made their own mark on the show already.”
On joining Emmerdale during the soaps birthday year, Karene Peter, who plays Naomi Walters said: “It’s been great joining the show at such an iconic moment in time! Everyone has been super welcoming and it feels like I’ve been here forever!”
Earlier this year Martelle Edinborough burst onto our screens as Wedding Planner, Suzy Merton.
Commented Martelle: "‘I’m absolutely loving being part of the team. I grew up on Emmerdale so it’s a real honour to be in it especially during its 50th year of being on our screens!”
Emmerdale vicar Charles Anderson, played by Kevin Mathurin, has settled into the village with his ex Manpreet (Rebecca Sarker).
Kevin said: “As long as I can remember my Mum never missed an episode and now she watches me in it! Emmerdale is more than an institution of British television, it’s a reminder of home.”
Acclaimed actress Louise Jameson joined the cast as Mary Goskirk earlier this year. Mary arrived in the village much to the horror of her daughter Rhona, played by Zoe Henry, but the pair have reconciled and she has been a great support to Rhona since her husband Marlon, played by Mark Charnock suffered a stroke earlier this year.
Louise adds: “I’m so thrilled to be part of Emmerdale’s iconic 50th celebrations. To be working in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales with such an amazing team. Fifty years ago one of my first jobs was playing Sharon Crosswaite on Emmerdale Farm, then a humble lunchtime show, and now here I am again, full circle. I couldn’t be happier.”
Darcy Grey joined the role of sparky electrician Marcus Dean, the son of Rhona’s rapist Pierce Harris, late last year.
Darcy said: "What can I say about being part of such a stellar, beautiful cast? It’s a dream come true and at such an iconic moment. I feel very lucky to be part of it in my small way. Here’s to another 50 years of small village drama!”
Mackenzie Boyd, played by Lawrence Robb, arrived in the village to see his sister Moira, played by Natalie J Robb, as they had unfinished business following the death of their mother. It wasn’t long before he made an impression on Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins.
Lawrence said: “To be part of a serial drama as iconic as Emmerdale on its 50th birthday is special in itself. What makes it even better is the gorgeous people I get to work with on a daily basis. Dreamy!”
Son of Charles and successful solicitor, Ethan Anderson, played by Emile John, followed his father to Emmerdale and after meeting his sister Naomi and boyfriend Marcus has chosen to settle in the village.
Commented Emile: “It’ll be two years this month since I joined the cast, how time flies when you're having fun!”
Jessie Elland, who plays Chloe Harris has had several big storylines since joining the show and is looking forward to what lies ahead for Chloe.
Commented Jessie: “I feel so lucky to be part of something where I’m learning so much and getting to watch incredibly talented people do what they do best every day. But being part of Emmerdale in its 50th year has been the pinnacle of my experience so far: it’s been amazing watching the cast and crew work so hard and passionately to create something that is nothing short of spectacular!”
Emmerdale will celebrate its 50th birthday with an hour long episode on Sunday 16 October.