The Sugden dynasty is expanding in Emmerdale, with the arrival of new face Serena.
It has been announced today (Wednesday, 10 June) that actress Casey Al-Shaqsy will be joining the ITV soap as a new member of the legendary clan, who have been on our screens since episode one in October 1972.
Following the departure of Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) and her son Harry, the Sugdens have been looking a little thin on the ground. While her elder brother Robert (Ryan Hawley) remains and has taken charge of the family’s agricultural legacy, the only other characters sharing his surname are his niece Sarah (Katie Hill), and her husband Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant).
There’s also their daughter Leyla, though as viewers know, her real parents are Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) and Ross Barton (Michael Parr).
Al-Shaqsy is already filming at the serial drama’s studios in Leeds city centre, and on location at the village set near Harewood House in West Yorkshire. We’ll see Serena on our screens later this month.
The character is to find herself thrown straight into the centre of the drama, as she navigates someone else’s traumatic situation. Questions will be raised about her true motivations for arriving in the eponymous village, and where her loyalties lie.
Speaking of the new addition, producer Laura Shaw, said: “The Sugdens are a core part of the Emmerdale fabric, and we are thrilled to welcome Casey to the family.
“Her character will be at the heart of some extremely gripping and unexpected storylines, forcing her to make difficult choices that will have dramatic consequences for some of the village’s biggest names.”
Al-Shaqsy added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining such an iconic show and playing a Sugden! Serena is a fantastic character with so much going on beneath the surface. I can’t wait for the audience to see the drama unfold.”
The star has a number of musical theatre roles under her belt, including the UK tours of Hamilton, Wicked and Six: The Musical.
Read more:
- 4 Emmerdale spoilers for next week: Multiple Dingle health bombshells as Charity suffers breakdown
- Emmerdale boss confirms heartbreaking new storyline turn for Charity Dingle amid Dr Caitlin Todd torment
- Emmerdale exit revealed for long-running character after over 20 years in popular role
- Emmerdale star teases “complex year” ahead for Charity Dingle after nightmare labour in early ITVX release
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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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.
