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THE ACTOR HAS REVEALED WHAT VIEWERS CAN EXPECT FROM HIS NEW ROLE 13:04, 02 Jun 2025 Emmerdale newcomer Joe Absolom has confirmed that his debut role in the ITV soap will include teenager
April Windsor who has already been at the centre of a major storyline this year. The Leeds-based soap revealed that another newcomer will be arriving in the village this summer as Mackenzie
Boyd's past comes back to haunt him. Joe Absolom, an acclaimed actor, will be taking on the role of Ray, an old contact of Mackenzie's. He'll be arriving in the village this
summer, claiming to be selling farm machinery but it’s not long before his true drug dealing ways become clear. Although he appears to be fairly calm upon his arrival, soon his true colours
are exposed to reveal a menacing streak. Emmerdale producer, Laura Shaw, teased: "We are thrilled to welcome Joe Absolom to the cast. It's fantastic to have such a high calibre and
immensely talented actor join our wonderful team to play the role of Ray. "Charming, charismatic and effortlessly likeable, Ray is an extremely complex character who very quickly shows
his dark and villainous side to some of our most loved villagers, leaving them in no doubt as to what he’s capable of". Article continues below Before heading onto the Dales, Joe
isn't short of experience on the small screen. The actor has a wealth of television, theatre and film credits, including Doc Martin, The Bay and most recently playing the role of Braden
Moore in Code of Silence. Speaking about his new role, Joe shared: "Well what an honour to join such a talented team at Emmerdale! It’s an iconic show and I’m grateful to be part of
it. I can’t wait to see what’s in stock for Ray!" The esteemed actor also spoke with RadioTimes at the British Soap Awards 2025, and teased: "Ray turns up and he likes to sell the
leaves [drugs] and it's a bit of a county lines idea" "I actually get kids, April and Dylan, to work for me and to play them cash. It's quite good fun" he explained.
As viewers will recall, earlier this year Emmerdale released a special episode that followed April Windsor's life on the streets after she ran away from home upon finding out she was
pregnant. Article continues below She later had a stillbirth and has been struggling to adjust back to her normal life in the village, especially now that her friend Dylan has gone to rehab
following his addiction struggles. Dylan who is played by Fred Kettle has been confirmed as returning later this summer too, as Laura Shaw teased: "Fred Kettle who plays Dylan is coming
back. He’s going to be bringing his past back into the village with him, and that’s going to cause problems with April. A couple exciting new castings joining us for that story."
EMMERDALE AIRS ON WEEKDAYS AT 7:30PM ON ITV1 AND IS AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON ITVX.