Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale star Emile John has revealed that his character Ethan Anderson will be going in an unexpected new direction later this year.
The actor shared the show's plans to explore a different side of Ethan after two years of the lawyer always seeming to follow the rules.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy on the red carpet at the Inside Soap Awards 2023, Emile explained: "Up until now, Ethan's been a character that's been really prim and proper. He's been about his business, he's a lawyer, he doesn't really take many steps out of line.
"But we're about to see a lawyer possibly go rogue. I think that will be interesting for the viewers. It's going to be cool for me to play as an actor as well."
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"I've loved playing him thus far, but it'll be a different side to him, which I'm looking forward to," he added.
Emmerdale has also shown viewers a more ruthless side to Ethan's dad Charles this year.
Charles stepped in to save Billy and Dawn Fletcher earlier this year by threatening villainous Alex Moore. More recently, he framed his father Victor for theft shortly before his death.
Emile continued: "It's good to see Kevin [Mathurin] play a more devious side of Charles. As he's a vicar, he's a really holy guy but likewise – similar to my storyline coming up – humans aren't just black and white.
"We're multi-faceted and it's going to be interesting to see him play a darker version of Charles."
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Earlier this year, Ethan faced heartbreak when his boyfriend Marcus Dean left the village. The exit storyline was written in after Darcy Grey, who played Marcus, decided to depart the show after just a year.
Asked whether he was sad over his co-star's departure, Emile said: "I was, Darcy's a good mate of mine. We still keep in contact, we still talk every now and then. It was good banter with him on set – I love Darcy."
On the possibility of a new romance plot, he added: "I feel that romance stories just bring a certain 'je ne sais quoi' out of a character and it's those stories where you see a more vulnerable side of your character. I'd welcome that for sure!"
Check out more of our Emmerdale coverage:
- Emmerdale's Charity Dingle considers shock confession to Chloe Harris
- Emmerdale's Lydia Dingle confides in Kim Tate over her ordeal with Craig
- Emmerdale's Chas Dingle is manipulated as dangerous villain Harry returns
- Emmerdale's Dingle family triumph with Inside Soap Awards win
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
