Coronation Street star joins Emmerdale in a major new role – and starts filming this week
A CORONATION Street star is joining Emmerdale in a major new role - and starts filming this week.
The ITV soap is already gearing up for a new year of incredible storylines in 2024.
And a key part of those is going to be newcomer Ella Forster, played by Paula Lane.
Paula, 37, is best known for playing Kylie Platt in Coronation Street from 2010 until her character's tragic death in 2016.
While Kylie was feisty, her new character Ella has been described as compassionate and caring, and will be introduced to Emmerdale viewers in January.
Ella soon finds herself out of a job when she sticks up for Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) who’s attending a Veterinary Ball with her partner Paddy Kirk.
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Far from a pushover, luck is soon to come Ella’s way when a chance encounter with Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) opens up an opportunity.
And it’s not long before Ella is turning heads in the village.
Speaking about her new role, Paula said: "I'm so excited to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Everyone has been so welcoming and I can't wait to start a new chapter playing the role of Ella.
"I've already heard there are big plans for her and I can't wait to see her navigate a new life in the village and hopefully make some friends!”
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Producer Kate Brooks added: "Ella is a complex and multi-layered character who comes to the village and certainly makes an impact. Ostensibly she's a good, moral character, but is there more to her than meets the eye?
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome an actor of Paula's calibre to the show and we can't wait to have her light up our screens.”
Paula will start filming this month, ready for her character's debut in the New Year.
Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.