Emmerdale newcomer Anil Goutam hints Jai and Suni's father is a villain

Emmerdale newcomer Anil Goutam has hinted that his character Amit Sharma could become the show's next villain.

The former EastEnders actor is about to make his debut as Amit, who's the father of Jai and Suni Sharma and the younger brother of the late Rishi Sharma.

Amit was initially mentioned when Suni joined the village back in the summer. In Rishi's tragic final episode, it was confirmed that Amit is Jai's biological father as Georgia once had an affair with him when she was working as his secretary.

In Monday's episode (October 9), Jai and Suni are both in for a shock when Amit arrives at The Hide and tries to make amends with them.

ITV

What to Read Next

Speaking to Digital Spy and other media about the new character, Anil revealed: "I'm really pleased with how it's been written, because there are lots of complexities in this guy.

"Emmerdale allowed me that freedom and they spent time talking to me – the show's producer Laura Shaw spoke to me about the character and asked what my thoughts on him were as well.

"Amit has a darker side to him, but not in his own mind! In his own mind, Amit does what he does to protect his family – but it's a question of what he thinks is the right thing. I think he can convince himself of pretty much anything being the right thing to protect them."

Discussing the existing father-son relationship between Amit and Suni, Anil continued: "Amit looks out for his family and that is his raison d'être. Amit will look out for Suni, but in Amit's mind, Suni's sister has taken the role that Suni should have done.

ITV

"Amit thinks that Suni should have been the right-hand man in the business. He should be the person who takes over, but he hasn't wanted to do any of that.

"Amit is comfortable with Suni being gay. He may give the impression that he's not the sort of person who is comfortable with it, but he is. It just bugs him that, given all the advantages Suni has, he's decided to be a chef.

"To be fair to Suni, he wants to live his own life but that's not something Amit can easily let happen because then things drift out of control. I'd say it is a controlling relationship, but underneath that, Amit needs to look out for Suni and protect him."

Anil also shared an insight into how Amit and Jai's relationship will develop now that the truth is out.

ITV

He said: "Amit views Jai as the sort of son he should have. It's almost like, in a strange way, Amit is trying to impress Jai. Obviously Amit has to make up for the years lost, where there was no connection or relationship at all.

"There's that guilt there, but on top of that, maybe Amit sees something of himself in Jai because he's a success. Amit wants to build a relationship because of all that time that's gone, but on top of that, I think there's a connection there that he feels in himself."

Fuelling the drama further, Emmerdale will reveal a second secret about Amit early in his time on the show.

Teasing this mystery plot development, Anil added: "It allows an insight into Amit which, when you first meet him, you probably won't expect. It's not something you would first guess is this person.

"There is a darker side as I've just said. It's always nice for an actor to explore a darkness. But if it was purely written like that, I don't think it would be as much fun because it would be a caricature. It's not written like that, it's written as a complex person."

Check out more of our Emmerdale coverage: