Emmerdale’s Mysterious Sophie Has a SECRET HISTORY That STUNNED Fans—From Caring for Pollard to DRAMA in Corrie and EastEnders
Emmerdale introduced another new character tonight as Sophie arrived for a trial as Eric Pollard’s new carer. Played by Julie Barclay, she is no stranger to Soapland having appeared in Coronation Street and EastEnders before now.
Who is Julie Barclay and what else has she been in – there’s no wonder she looks so familiar, she’s been in a lot! Here’s what we know.
Pollard is struggling to accept he needs help (Credit: ITV)
Who is Sophie in Emmerdale?
Sophie arrives in the Dales on Thursday night (June 5). After Eric Pollard had a fall earlier this week he has been left in need of help at home. He can’t perform simple tasks like washing and dressing himself due to the cast on his arm and other injuries he sustained.
At first reluctant (to say the least!) to accept help from anyone, Eric eventually agreed to a paid carer. Sophie arrives at the Barn ready to get to work, but Pollard is less than welcoming.
As she fusses around him, calls him ‘Poppet’ and tries to make him watch ‘geriatric’ television, it’s clear things aren’t going to work out.
But will we see Sophie again? Pollard surely needs help of some sort, so can he swallow his pride and find a way to get along with her?
Sophie is a bit too much for Eric (Credit: ITV)
Who plays Pollard’s carer Sophie in Emmerdale?
Actress Julie Barclay plays the role of Sophie in Emmerdale. Born in Hertfordshire in August 1961, Julie is 63 years old. She was involved in all sorts of acting from an early age and has worked all around the world on stage and screen.
She is married to Martin and they have two children. In 2014, Julie took a break from acting after being diagnosed with breast cancer, but returned to work after successful treatment.
She has starred in shows on ITV, BBC, Netflix, Channel 4 and Sky, as well as being involved both on stage and behind the scenes in various plays.
Julie is now in an episode of Emmerdale to complete the hattrick (Credit: ITV)
Julie Barclay’s career – including Corrie and EastEnders stints
The actress has starred in many well-known dramas including Grace on ITV, The Witcher on Sky, Belgravia: The Next Chapter, Call The Midwife, Broadchurch and Brassic.
In 2014 she starred in two episodes of Coronation Street as Meg Ollerenshaw. Scheming Tracy Barlow sold Albert Tatlock’s war medals to Meg, but when Deirdre told her to get them back or else, Tracy had to try and win Meg over. But she wasn’t budging and wouldn’t sell them back for the price she paid. Eventually Tracy’s fiancé Rob Donovan bought them back to save Deirdre and Tracy falling out.
In 2022, Julie was in two episodes of EastEnders. She played Martine, who worked in a jewellery shop. Jean and Harvey were shopping for engagement rings and Martine served them. But then Jean, in the midst of a bipolar episode, switched the expensive emerald ring and her own cheap one and they legged it from the shop.
Now Julie completes her soap hattrick by appearing in Emmerdale too! Oh and she’s also been in Casualty, so she really is no stranger to how soap life works!
