Emmerdale actor Joe Absolom has spoken candidly about his departure from the long-running ITV soap, revealing both satisfaction with his character's conclusion and natural anxieties about his professional future. The 47-year-old performer joined the cast last year as Ray Walters, a role that plunged him into one of the show's most intense and sinister plotlines.
A Complex and Dark Character Journey
Ray Walters was initially introduced as a drug dealer with an interest in the cannabis cultivation operation run by Mackenzie Boyd, Ross Barton, and Lewis Barton. His character quickly escalated from manipulating local teens Dylan Penders and April Windsor into dealing, to revealing a shocking connection to a wider criminal network.
For months, Ray referenced a mysterious 'boss' who controlled his actions through threats and intimidation. The eventual revelation that this figure was Celia Daniels – a respected farmer and friend to Moira Dingle – sent shockwaves through the village. The plot thickened further when it emerged that Celia was actually Ray's adoptive mother, creating a deeply twisted familial dynamic within their criminal enterprise.
From Exploitation to Desperate Rebellion
The storyline took increasingly dark turns as Celia expanded her operations beyond drug dealing into modern slavery, exploiting vulnerable homeless adults like Bear Wolf through forced labour on her farm. Ray's character development reached a critical point as he formed a genuine connection with Laurel Thomas, which led him to recognise his own exploitation within Celia's web.
His desperate bid for freedom culminated in the shocking act of stabbing his adoptive mother, believing this violent break would allow him to start anew. This momentary sense of liberation was tragically short-lived, as village gossip about his criminal activities reached Laurel, destroying their relationship and leaving Ray isolated just as he sought redemption.
The Dramatic Exit and Actor's Reflections
Ray's story concluded with his murder by an unknown village resident, his body discovered in a depot truck by DS Walsh at the start of the year. As Emmerdale continues to unravel the mystery of his killer, with suspects including Paddy, Ross, Marlon, Rhona, Graham, Laurel, and Arthur, Joe Absolom has filmed his final scenes and reflected on his time with the show.
'I've started to think, "why did I say kill me off?"' the actor admitted, acknowledging the natural second thoughts that follow such a definitive character conclusion. 'That said, Ray had to get his comeuppance. I think the audience is happy. He couldn't stay in the soap. There has to be moving on but as an actor, I have loved it and I could easily stay forever.'
Facing the Uncertainty of an Acting Career
With his Emmerdale chapter closed, Absolom now faces the reality of seeking his next role in the competitive acting industry. He described experiencing 'the blues' after leaving the supportive environment of the soap, calling it 'a compliment to Emmerdale' that he found the experience so positive and rewarding.
The actor spoke frankly about the professional anxieties that accompany this transition: 'When you are a jobbing actor, the reality of that fear of finding a new role also steps in. It can be terrifying wondering what is next.' However, he balanced this with seasoned perspective, adding: 'But, as I have got older, I feel like I have got a bit of karma and I know I will be alright.'
As Emmerdale continues to explore the aftermath of Ray Walters' death and the village's dark secrets, Joe Absolom moves forward with gratitude for his soap experience and cautious optimism about the next chapter in his acting career.
