Emmerdale Star Bradley Riches to Swap Soap for Festive Stage Role
Fans of the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale will notice a temporary absence of Bradley Riches on screen later this year, but the reason behind his departure is a positive development for the actor and the show. Riches, who portrays Lewis Barton in the village drama, has secured a major festive theatre role, leading to a short break from filming. This move highlights a significant policy change at ITV, allowing soap stars to pursue pantomime opportunities without leaving their roles permanently.
Bradley Riches' Journey in Emmerdale
Since joining Emmerdale in 2025 as Lewis Barton, the long-lost son of infamous killer Emma Barton, Riches has made a substantial impact on the series. His character's arrival shook up the village as he reconnected with his brother Ross and integrated into the Barton family. Initially involved in a dubious weed-growing operation, Lewis has evolved over time, softening his demeanor and building a new life. He became co-owner of the village café and uncovered secrets about his past, including meeting his biological father, dangerous gangster Kev Townsend.
More recently, Lewis has been part of a heartwarming storyline after beginning a relationship with Vinny Dingle, a pairing that has quickly won over viewers. Despite his key role in the show, Riches will temporarily step away from the Dales for a festive pantomime, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Festive Pantomime Role at Sunderland Empire
Bradley Riches has signed up to star in the festive production Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook at the Sunderland Empire. He will take on the title role of Peter Pan, with the theatre expressing excitement about welcoming the star. In a statement, the theatre announced, 'BRADLEY RICHES from Netflix’s Heartstopper, Emmerdale and Big Brother is flying into Sunderland this Christmas as our thrill-seeking hero, Peter Pan! Join us in Neverland this festive season for sword fights, crocodile chases, and jaw-dropping stunts!'
The production is scheduled to run from December 11, 2026, to January 3, 2027, meaning Riches will swap the Yorkshire countryside for the magical world of Neverland during the festive period. This opportunity marks a departure from traditional ITV policies that previously restricted soap actors from taking on pantomime gigs.
ITV's Policy Shift on Pantomime Roles
Historically, actors from Emmerdale and its sister show Coronation Street were not permitted to take breaks from filming for lucrative pantomime roles, often forcing performers to leave their soap roles entirely if they wanted to participate. For example, in 2017, Adam Thomas left Emmerdale after securing a £100,000 payday for a pantomime when bosses refused to release him from his contract. Similarly, in 2023, Matthew Wolfenden departed the soap after being denied permission to star in a West End production of Elf.
However, ITV has now relaxed this rule, allowing a select number of actors from both soaps to temporarily step away from filming for festive stage productions. An Emmerdale spokesperson confirmed this update, stating, 'We’ve agreed to release a few of the actors from Emmerdale and Coronation Street to appear in pantomime this year. We’ve been looking at this for a while and with plenty of notice, we’ve been able to release the actors for a limited time.'
Importantly, this policy change ensures that actors like Riches will not depart the soaps permanently. Instead, they will return to filming once their festive theatre runs conclude, meaning Riches will resume his role as Lewis Barton in Emmerdale after his stint in Neverland.
Comparison with Other Soaps and Future Implications
In contrast to ITV's previous stance, actors on BBC's EastEnders have long been able to combine their soap careers with festive theatre roles. Stars such as Steve McFadden and Adam Woodyatt have regularly taken on pantomime parts, often earning substantial six-figure fees. With ITV's new approach, Bradley Riches' festive adventure could pave the way for more soap stars to participate in pantomime season, revitalizing this tradition within the ITV soaps.
This shift not only benefits actors by providing additional career opportunities but also enhances viewer engagement by allowing popular characters to remain part of the show long-term. As Riches embarks on his role as Peter Pan, fans can look forward to his return to Emmerdale, ensuring continuity in the evolving storylines of the village drama.
