EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders Legend Joe Absolom TRANSFORMS into Emmerdale’s NEWEST VILLAIN with a DARK SECRET

Emmerdale has cast former EastEnders actor Joe Absolom as a new villain connected to Mackenzie Boyd. Despite appearances that he’s a legitimate businessman, it soon becomes clear all is not as it seems with Joe’s character.

Joe will first appear on screen this summer as Ray, who is an old contact of Mack’s. And he brings trouble…

Joe Absolom as Ray in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)

Joe Absolom joins Emmerdale

Ray comes to the farm and he claims to be selling farm machinery. But before long, it becomes very clear he is a drug dealer. It’s not known if this is connected to Mack’s current storyline where he is trying to sell cannabis. However Mackenzie and Aaron have a big storyline coming up in the autumn and it seems likely this will be part of it.

He’s a cool, calm and collected character. But that exterior hides a menacing streak – one that is always bubbling below the surface ready to come up.

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw has given more insight into the character of Ray.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe Absolom to the cast,” she said. “It’s fantastic to have such a high calibre and immensely talented actor join our wonderful team to play the role of Ray.

“Charming, charismatic and effortlessly likeable, Ray is an extremely complex character who very quickly shows his dark and villainous side to some of our most loved villagers, leaving them in no doubt as to what he’s capable of.”

Joe starred as Matthew Rose in EastEnders for three years (Credit: Tony Larkin/Shutterstock)

Where do you know Joe Absolom from?

Joe has been on our screens for many years in some critically acclaimed dramas. He is known to many viewers for his role in Doc Martin, as well as ITV detective drama The Bay.

Most recently, he played Braden Moore in Code of Silence, featuring former EastEnders actress and Strictly Winner Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Soap fans, however, will know Joe from his role as Matthew Rose in EastEnders. He appeared in the soap from 1997 to 2000 and his biggest storyline saw him arrested and sent to prison for murder.

In fact, Matthew was innocent, instead club owner Steve Owen had killed his ex-girlfriend Saskia and Matthew had been present. Matthew helped Steve dispose of the body, but then grew paranoid. He was framed by Steve to take the fall for the murder, but eventually the evidence was found that exonerated Matthew and implicated Steve.

Matthew’s final scenes saw him torture Steve to make him a quivering wreck, before leaving Walford for good.

Of his new Emmerdale role, Joe has said: “Well, what an honour to join such a talented team at Emmerdale! It’s an iconic show and I’m grateful to be part of it. I can’t wait to see what’s in stock for Ray!”