Fans of E4 soap Hollyoaks are in for a treat in the coming months as a major star swaps Hollywood for The Village.
Emma Rigby has announced her return to the soap, where she played Hannah Ashworth, and has reportedly signed a one-year deal with bosses.
The 34-year-old actress was last seen in 2010, although she announced her departure in 2008 and was originally set to leave in 2009.
In the fourteen years she’s been gone, Emma has taken Hollywood by storm, appearing in the 2014 remake of Endless Love and the fantasy drama series Once Upon A Time In Wonderland.
Emma began appearing on the soap in 2005 and her storylines included a struggle with eating disorders and the death of her best friend.
Fans of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks are in for a treat in the coming months as a big star swaps Hollywood for The Village
Emma Rigby, 34, has announced her return to the soap, where she played Hannah Ashworth, and has reportedly signed a one-year deal with bosses
The actress, 34, was last seen in 2010, although she announced her departure in 2008 and was originally set to leave in 2009 (pictured with on-screen brother Rhys in 2009)
A Hollyoaks source said The sun: ‘Emma agreed to come back for a little guest stint, but after a few weeks of filming she felt like she was back home.
‘She has had a number of conversations with bosses and has now signed a one-year contract. Everyone is over the moon to have her back permanently.
‘The bosses were so happy when she agreed to come back for a few weeks, so it’s really exciting to have her back as a regular cast member. Big things are in store.”
Veteran actress Emma, who is also a trained ballerina, will return to Hollyoaks as Hannah later in January.
With her will be mother Suzanne (Suzanne Hall), and the twins she had with the popular Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson).
In addition to Hollywood films, such as The Counselor alongside Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz, Emma starred in British series such as Prisoners Wives and Ripper Street.
In late 2023, it was revealed that Hollyoaks is also planning to bring back three more iconic characters, in a bid to win back lost viewers.
Hollyoaks airs weekdays at 7pm on E4.
In the fourteen years she’s been gone, Emma has taken Hollywood by storm, appearing in the 2014 remake of Endless Love and the fantasy drama series Once Upon A Time In Wonderland.
Emma played the main character Camille Logan in the 2019 action thriller Netflix film The Protector
Emma’s return comes after an executive producer left the soap in 2023 after just two years in charge.
The Sun claimed at the time that Lucy Allan left due to falling ratings, leading to a complete change at the top.
Shortly after Lucy’s departure, which came not long after Bryan Kirkwood’s, Hannah Cheers was brought in.
Hannah had previously spent ten years at Hollyoaks, working under Bryan, before moving to ITV soap Emmerdale.
