Emmerdale legend joined by former Coronation Street stars as whole new family unit confirmed for Hollyoaks
This is the first new family to join the E4 soap in five years.
Some familiar faces are heading to Hollyoaks - as three soap favourites become the first names to be announced as part of a new family.
The Keanes - who will start a new life in the Chester village this spring - are composed of Emmerdale legend Matthew Wolfenden and Coronation Street's Rebecca Ryan and Lewis Walton.
Wolfenden called time on his ITV soap stint in 2023, after 17 years of playing shopkeeper David Metcalfe. He pursued a career in the West End production of Elf: The Musical, and launched podcast Celebrity Side Hustles with former co-star Roxy Shahidi.
Ryan is no stranger to the Dales herself, having appeared as Bob Hope's daughter Carly in 2006. She later starred as stalker Lydia Chambers in Corrie, who harassed Adam Barlow and Sarah Platt for months, but is best known for her breakout role as Debbie Gallagher in Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless.
Newcomer Walton, who plays the youngest member of the Keane clan, received acclaim for his portrayal of a younger Mick Michaelis in a special flashback episode of Corrie last year.
He follows in the footsteps of co-star Brook Debio, who played young Kit Green and recently took over as Ant Hutchinson in the E4 serial drama.
Pictures released by production company Lime Pictures show the trio filming playful scenes on location in the Childwall suburb of Liverpool, where Hollyoaks is produced. The characters can be seen donning giant sunglasses and packing boxes into the back of a removals van ahead of their relocation.
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Speaking of his return to soapland, Wolfenden said: "I’m so excited to finally share that I’m joining Hollyoaks as part of a brand-new family arriving in the village. It’s an absolute privilege to step into this world and be part of something so iconic.
"From the moment I read the scripts, I knew this was going to be something special. I can’t wait for the audience to meet them and see how they turn a few heads along the way… it’s going to be a ride, buckle up."
Ryan, who also played Vicki MacDonald in Waterloo Road and Gem Dean in Casualty, added: "I am so excited to be joining the cast. My character is feisty and a bit of a firecracker but fiercely loyal.
"I am so excited for everyone to meet her. I am having the best time so far and can't wait for her story to unfold.”
Walton agreed with the sentiments, saying: I’m thrilled to be joining. My character is charismatic, sporty and someone who’s always been the fun, positive presence in the room.
"He’s incredibly close to his family and determined to follow in his dad’s footsteps, while chasing big ambitions of his own, especially when it comes to sport. But life doesn’t always go to plan, and an unexpected challenge will force him to dig deeper than ever before…"
Given this is Hollyoaks village, this 'unexpected challenge' could be absolutely anything...
Hollyoaks is available to watch on Channel 4 catch-up and airs Monday to Wednesday, from 7pm on E4.
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Authors
Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
