Oliver Farnworth says 'there's a lot to come' on Emmerdale
John Sugden is poised to make his Emmerdale debut, bolstering the Sugden family presence in the village.
The Sugdens, one of the most prominent families in the Dales, have seen their numbers dwindle over time, leaving Victoria Sugden as the sole representative.
However, she won't be alone for long as John makes his entrance. It soon emerges that John is her half-brother, a fact confirmed by Pollard due to their shared father.
But what will John's arrival mean for Victoria and the wider village? Here's everything we know about John so far - including the secrets he might be keeping.
John Sugden is set to stir things up when he lands in the Dales. Describing himself as "enigmatic" with a military background, he views himself as a "lone wolf".
But how will things unfold when he meets his half-sister Victoria?
Speaking to various media outlets, he hinted: "I've been here a few weeks now, and it's just been a dream. It really is going right into the deep end with the character. He's got a pretty amazing backstory. Obviously half brother to Victoria, which we find out quite quickly, but there's a whole lot of depth to him and little bits just kind of coming out now, but it's been a whirlwind."
Oliver Farnworth, the newest face to grace Emmerdale Village, has promised his character, John, will be a lively presence. He enthused: "I've been here, there and everywhere. I've been on all sets, been on location and driving vans, been getting up to all sorts of mischief. It's been absolutely brilliant and I've been really welcomed by everyone as well. It's been so nice."
Delving into his character, Oliver revealed: "He's enigmatic really. There's there's a lot to him. I'm still finding stuff out about him. We find out quite quickly that he's got a military past. He's openly gay. He is very much a lone wolf. I think over the years, he's really put walls up and not let anyone in. And that's his kind of method of self preservation. He doesn't like people getting close to him."
As fans eagerly await the arrival of John Sugden on screen, the talented Oliver Farnworth shares his excitement at bagging the role: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. The show has such a rich history, and the Sugden family is integral to that. I'm looking forward to bringing my character to life and working with such a talented and dedicated team."
Laura Shaw, Emmerdale's Producer, enthusiastically shared: "We are thrilled to have an actor with Oliver's talent and presence join the Emmerdale family. The Sugden's have always been central to Emmerdale, and introducing a new member opens up exciting possibilities for future storylines. Mysterious John's arrival will no doubt create a stir in the village for Victoria and the wider community."
Soap aficionados will recognise Oliver Farnworth from his suspenseful role in Coronation Street as Andy Carver, another unfortunate victim of the villainous Pat Phelan. He also shone in Hollyoaks as Will Hackett and is romantically linked with Samantha Womack, whom fans adore as Ronnie Mitchell from EastEnders.
Oliver candidly confessed about his street cred, saying, "I'm not recognised for Coronation Street," before adding, "I got to die twice at the hands of Pat Phelan which is a badge of honour. Hollyoaks was my first job out of drama school, and I lasted nine months on that - it was a steep learning curve."
