Bradley Riches, who plays Lewis Barton in Emmerdale, has described working with Chris Coghill (Kev Townsend) and Michael Parr (Ross Barton) as an 'absolute joy and a dream come true.' The actor shared his enthusiasm with Metro, detailing the unique dynamic between the three characters and hinting at more clashes to come.
A Dream Come True On Set
'Working with those two is an absolute joy and a dream come true,' Bradley said, referring to his on-screen father figures. 'It obviously makes the dynamic really fun. Us three together, we're all so different which makes the dynamic really fun. All the characters have different approaches to life, which makes it more fun. Kev is the hot head, Ross can be a bit hot-headed but also a bit sly. Then you've got Lewis on the other end. We are all different characters with different characteristics.'
The trio's paths crossed dramatically in June 2026, when Ross hunted down Kev to help rescue Lewis, who had been kidnapped by Kev's vengeful ex-girlfriend, Kylie (Pippa Fulton). Kylie had accused Kev of stealing a diamond necklace made from her dead cat. After Lewis was freed, Ross was furious when Kev stayed in the village and revealed his paternity with a rendition of 'Father and Son' by Cat Stevens.
Rivalry and Reconciliation
Ross instantly despised Kev, believing the ex-con would inevitably return to crime and break Lewis's heart. Their mutual hatred escalated into physical fights, with Ross knocking Kev unconscious and Kev later punching Ross in a field. According to Bradley, this feud is far from over.
'They're not going to see eye to eye for a while. They both want to protect me. They both think they are right. Sometimes they are both wrong. Sometimes they are both right. It will take a while for them to both get each other,' Bradley said.
Despite the tension, Bradley is hopeful for an eventual peace. 'I hope in the future we can go for a drink together, all three characters, and have fun together and enjoy. You will start to see Ross warming to Kev and seeing he is not actually a bad guy. He's here to be with Lewis and to support him,' he added.
Learning from a 'Bonkers' Co-Star
Bradley also praised Chris Coghill, calling him 'bonkers and brilliant.' He said, 'I am learning so much. He is a really instinctive actor. I love going with the words and working out how I am going to say it, but with him, each time he does it is different. You can bounce things off the walls and go with your instincts.'
The pair recently shared a touching father-son moment during a bike ride gone wrong, where they lay on the grass and traded backstories. Bradley expressed a desire for more such scenes, and hinted that the best with Chris is yet to come.
