View Full Version : Bradley Riches as Lewis
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a64222206/emmerdale-heartstopper-bradley-riches-mysterious-role/
Emmerdale has cast Heartstopper star Bradley Riches in a mysterious new role, with the actor saying he is ?beyond excited? to start.
The star ? who plays James McEwan in Netflix?s coming-of-age series and also appeared on the most recent season of Celebrity Big Brother ? will begin filming on the ITV soap this week, with his character due to arrive in the Dales in May. Further details on his character are currently being kept under wraps.
?I?m beyond excited to be joining Emmerdale!? Riches said of his new role. ?It?s a real bucket list moment for me, especially since it was my grandad?s favourite soap, I just know he?d be over the moon.
?Everyone has been so lovely and welcoming, and the village is even more amazing in real life. I absolutely love my character (though I can?t spill too much just yet!), and I?m just so grateful for this opportunity. I can?t wait for everyone to see what?s in store??
?We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Bradley to the Emmerdale family,? added executive producer Laura Shaw. ?Bradley brings a wealth of talent and his warmth, wit and charisma makes him perfect for this new Emmerdale role.
?We have some wonderful stories for him to play and we can't wait for the audience to see Bradley bring his new character bursting into life on screen,? she continued, adding that more details regarding his character would be released in the ?coming weeks?.
Whilst Riches will soon be seen in the Dales, one actor who seemingly won?t be returning to the ITV soap is Gemma Atkinson, with the star ? who played Carly Hope for two years until 2017 - recently sharing that the filming schedule wouldn?t suit her family life.
?To go back to a soap wouldn't really be realistic because the hours are so few and far between ? you're either in 12 hours a day or you're in two hours a day,? she explained. ?Your schedule can change at the drop of a hat.
?I loved my time on all the soaps ? it's where I am now because of them ? but I think, now that I've got the children, I just wouldn't be able to commit unfortunately,? added the star, who also previously played Lisa Hunter on Hollyoaks.
Bradley Riches will be playing Ross Barton's younger autistic brother
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a64578694/emmerdale-confirms-new-barton-brother/
It has been confirmed that Heartstopper star Bradley Riches will be playing Ross Barton's younger brother on Emmerdale.
It was announced last month that Riches, also known for his stint on Celebrity Big Brother, had joined the soap, but his role has only now been disclosed.
Speaking with Attitude, the actor revealed more about his Emmerdale character Lewis Barton, and how he was previously in talks for a different role on the ITV soap.
"I play Lewis Barton. He's studying at Leeds University and related to Ross [portrayed by Michael Parr]," he said.
Riches explained Lewis has known about having a brother for a while, with his storyline kicking off when he "finally builds up the courage to reach out to him, see if they get along and ask questions about his family".
Originally, Riches met with the Emmerdale producers to play the role of Dylan, April Windsor's friend, but had to pass due to a scheduling conflict.
"I came to Leeds for a meeting for a different character: Dylan, who is in April's storyline. But then the schedule didn't work, and I thought I'd missed the opportunity," he said.
"I felt like it was meant to be. The personality of the character fits me so much better," he said of Lewis.
Riches also shared the news of his character's identity on Instagram. Alongside a photo of him with Michael Parr, Riches wrote: "Hello brother? I guess good looks do run in the family."
Like Riches, his character is autistic. The star explained to Attitude that the Emmerdale writers were supportive and open to listening in order to get the language right and portray his storyline accurately.
"The writers were very open to [hearing] how I would say things. For example, in the autism community, we don't say, 'I have autism,'" he said. "I don't mind, but some disagree because it's not additional. I am autistic."
While autism representation is important, Riches said Lewis's storyline won't centre on him being autistic.
"He's just him. And [his autism] is not really a topic," he said. "He tells Ross, 'This is me. It's part of who I am,' then it doesn't get spoken about again."
Another character gets introduced as a family member we have never heard of before....
is he Emma's son or James and Emma's son?
tammyy2j
12-05-2025, 00:35
Another character gets introduced as a family member we have never heard of before....
It is lazy story writing
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a69481986/emmerdale-bradley-riches-confirms-lewis-future/
Emmerdale's Bradley Riches has revealed what's in store for his character, Lewis Barton, telling The Mirror: "We are going to learn a lot more about him."
The actor, who is autistic, has reflected on Lewis's experiences as an autistic person and how it can affect his mental health.
Speaking about Kammy's decision to throw a housewarming party in last week's episode, Riches noted: "Lewis finds it difficult. He is a people's person and comes across as happy. But not everything is as it seems, and we are going to explore this more in the soap.
"It does make me very proud to play Lewis, and I like to bring a bit of me to the character to educate people who may never have been exposed to an autistic person before. Having him on screen is a really cool thing to be part of."
Explaining that for Lewis, social situations can be particularly challenging, Riches added: "With autism, you do put a mask on and then when you get home, that is when the meltdown happens.
"Lewis and I are very similar in social situations. I can remember saying 'yes' to parties and then two hours later, ringing Mum to pick me up. I'd put a fa?ade on to suggest I was enjoying the party, but I felt overwhelmed at times, especially with people I didn't know. People have sent me messages thanking me, it's been really lovely."
In episodes set to air this week, fans will see how Lewis has been impacted by recent experiences, including the party.
During Thursday's (20 November) instalment, Lewis will find himself overwhelmed by the queue of customers at work, prompting him to rush home while attempting to fight off a panic attack. As a result, a concerned Nicola heads to Dale View, where she finds Lewis struggling.
"You'll really feel for Lewis," reveals our Emmerdale source. "He's known by all the villagers for his cheeky charm and positive energy, so he wants to maintain that vibe as much as possible.
"But the truth is that, sometimes, things can become too much for him, and one example of that is when the queue builds up at the caf?. Panic takes over, so he drops what he's doing and rushes home."
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a69488058/emmerdale-bradley-riches-lewis-kev-bombshell/
Emmerdale star Bradley Riches has reacted to the fans' responses to the latest wild development in his character Lewis Barton's connection to Kev Townsend.
Kev star Chris Coghill recently joined the ITV soap in the role of Robert Sugden's prison husband who has feigned a terminal illness to reunite with him.
In an ongoing storyline, Kev has tried to come in between Robert and his ex-husband Aaron Dingle, with whom he had rekindled a romance. Discovering Kev had been lying about his health, Liam Cavanagh confronted him, but Kev reminded him about doctor-patient confidentiality.
At the caf?, Kev let Liam in on another of his secrets, admitting he had a son he had never met.
Kev revealed he had a one-night stand with a barmaid called Emma, with viewers connecting the dots and realising Kev is actually Lewis Barton's dad.
Now, Riches has responded to fans' reactions, teasing not everything may be "what it seems".
As Lewis and Kev bonded in recent scenes at the housewarming party, Riches took to Instagram to stir the pot about the family tree theories.
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"Lewis and Kev just having a moment? while you guys are creating theories and drawing family trees in the group chat," he captioned a selfie he took with Coghill.
"What happens next? Who knows? Will everything be what it seems," he added, with a side-eye emoji.
In an update on Kev's story, the ex-inmate is set to be questioned at Hotten Police Station next week after Robert and Aaron hatch a plan to oust him from their lives.
Despite Liam and Chas Dingle's reluctancies, they all decide to go ahead with Aaron and Robert's scheme to get rid of Kev.
"Robert and Aaron are playing a very dangerous game," our Emmerdale source said.
"They're intent on banishing Kev from the village, so to make that happen, they come up with a scheme that results in Kev being hauled in for questioning about the armed robbery he committed not long ago.
"If DS Carter can nail him, then Robert and Aaron will be over the moon ? as will fans of the couple."
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