Hollyoaks is reportedly set for three more shock comebacks after it was revealed Emma Rigby is returning to the soap after 13 years.
The 34-year-old actress played Hannah Ashworth for five years before leaving in 2010 and taking on a series of roles in Hollywood.
But now it’s been reported that her mother, Suzanne Ashworth, is also returning to the E4 series.
Suzanne – played by Suzanne Hall – first debuted on the soap in 2005 with daughter Hannah until 2010 and returned briefly from 2011 to 2012.
Memorably, she had an affair with her son-in-law Darren Osborne, played by Ashley Taylor Dawson, who was married to Hannah.
Theatre! Hollyoaks is reportedly set for three more shock comebacks after it was revealed Emma Rigby is returning to the soap after 13 years
Soap star: The 34-year-old actress played Hannah Ashworth for five years before leaving in 2010 and taking on a series of roles in Hollywood (Emma pictured in the show with Andrew Moss)
Return: But now it’s been reported that her mother, Suzanne Ashworth, played by Suzanne Hall, is also joining the E4 series again (pictured on Soap)
She soon becomes pregnant with Darren’s twins and divorces her husband Neville Ashworth before giving birth to Jack and Francine.
But then Cindy Hutchinson (Stephanie Waring) offers Suzanne £200,000 to travel to Spain so that Cindy can have Darren to herself.
Suzanne agrees and moves to Spain with the twins. Darren is heartbroken and only returns once for Rhys’ funeral.
Her return will turn Darren’s world upside down as he finally faces his now 13-year-old children.
It will be an even more turbulent time for him as his wife Nancy Hayton will also return to the village, while actress Jessica Fox returns from maternity leave.
As for what viewers can expect in 2024, a source told The Sun: “Fans can expect to see some familiar faces from the past and some new family members who have never been seen on screen before.”
“The soap will also delve into the backstory of Vicky – played by Anya Lawrence – with a number of big names in talks to appear.”
“Bosses see Anya as a rising star and think she could follow in Emma Rigby’s footsteps as a star. “They would like to keep her around.”
Shock: Her return will turn Darren’s world upside down as he finally faces his now 13-year-old children (Ashley Taylor Dawson pictured in the soap)
It comes after The Sun obtained snaps of Emma on the Hollyoaks set as she reunited with former co-star Kieron Richardson, who plays Ste Hay.
The figure was decked out in designer clothing, including expensive Balmain heels and a Prada bag.
During her first appearance on the series, actress Emma received widespread praise for her performance, including a harrowing eating disorder storyline that earned her the Best Actress award at the 2008 British Soap Awards.
Following her trip to the States, Emma appeared in The Counselor alongside Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz in 2013 and Endless Love with Alex Pettyfer in 2014.
She also took on the role of the Red Queen on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland,” as well as “Prisoners’ Wives,” “Ripper Street,” “Death In Paradise” and “Fresh Meat.”
This comes after Channel 4 stopped broadcasting soaps on its main channel as part of a new digital strategy to refresh the viewing experience with the state broadcaster.
The broadcaster announced the new program, promising viewers “a huge week of stunts with spectacular and outstanding storylines” with “scenes filmed in sensational new locations”.
The soap, which started in 1995, was moved to sister channel E4 in September in a bid to revamp its programming.
Back for more: It comes after The Sun obtained snaps of Emma on the Hollyoaks set as she reunites with former co-star Kieron Richardson, who plays Ste Hay (pictured in 2019)
Dark plot: During her original role on the series, actress Emma received much praise for her performance, including a harrowing eating disorder storyline that earned her the Best Actress award at the 2008 British Soap Awards (pictured in 2006).
Fans of the show, set in a drama-filled Chester village, can continue to watch the weekly Omnibus, which continues to air on Channel 4.
Episodes will also be uploaded to YouTube to appeal to a younger audience and will be available to watch on YouTube a week after streaming and broadcast on E4.
Channel 4 has been the home of Hollyoaks for almost three decades and this latest change signals an attempt to keep up with the digital age and reflects the growing demand for on-demand entertainment.
64 percent of viewers watched the soap via episodic streaming or E4 this year, meaning 556 million minutes of the show were streamed in the first half of the year – a sign of a shift in viewing habits.
The broadcaster has dubbed Hollyoaks “the UK’s first streaming soap” by making episodes available to stream the day before they air on E4.
Ian Katz, Channel 4’s chief content officer, said: “Hollyoaks has always been the youngest and most innovative soap, so it is fitting that it is the first to take into account the changing behavior of younger viewers and move to a truly digital-focused release pattern.”
Across the pond: After her trip to the States, Emma took on the role of the Red Queen on ABC’s Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (pictured)
Big break: She appeared in 2013’s The Counselor alongside Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz. (LR) Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender are pictured in the film
Home soil: Back in the UK she starred in Prisoners’ Wives (pictured), Ripper Street, Death In Paradise and Fresh Meat
“It was the first British soap to move to a stream-first model last year and this is the next phase of that development.”
“We hope that by making Hollyoaks available on YouTube and our own platforms we will introduce a whole new generation to the show.”
The soap’s young fanbase has led the broadcaster to put its demographic at the heart of its new streaming decisions after discovering that the number of people streaming episodes before they air on television increased by 53 percent compared to the same period last year has risen.
Channel 4’s move towards a more digital-focused experience comes as the broadcaster achieves record streaming ratings following the release of programs such as Married at First Sight UK and Married at First Sight Australia, which are aimed at younger audiences achieved.