After spending an incredible 15 years playing Jacob Gallagher on Emmerdale, Joe-Warren Plant has opened up
about what’s next for his character following the devastating loss of his mother, Leyla Harding.
As Jacob adjusts to life without both Leyla (Roxy Shahidi) and his father, David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden),
the actor has expressed his excitement for the new opportunities that lie ahead.
A New Chapter for Jacob Gallagher
Joe-Warren Plant, who first joined Emmerdale in 2010, has been at the heart of some of the soap’s most emotional storylines.
With Leyla’s tragic death marking a major turning point for Jacob, the actor recently shared his thoughts on what’s in store for his character.
Speaking at an Emmerdale press event, he revealed:
“There’s lots more coming up for Jacob, I can’t wait. The new episodes coming through have got me excited for the next year.”
With both Roxy Shahidi and Matthew Wolfenden now having exited the show, Joe-Warren admitted it has been a difficult adjustment. However, he also acknowledged that their departures have allowed him to explore different aspects of Jacob’s character and work with new cast members.
“Now Matthew [Wolfenden] and Roxy [Shahidi] have gone, which was heartbreaking, it’s allowed me to work with other people who I don’t usually have scenes with and it’s been a breath of fresh air really,” he explained.
Exploring New Relationships on Screen
Joe-Warren spoke about how Jacob’s evolving relationships within the village are giving him a fresh direction as an actor. Having spent years primarily playing the role of Leyla’s son, he’s now able to establish deeper connections with other characters.
“It’s nice to see the different dynamics Jacob has with other characters as well. I feel like it’s pushing me in a different direction rather than playing the son of Leyla. It’s been nice for me to try and do something different,” he said.
Although his on-screen family has changed, Joe-Warren remains close with his former castmates. He confirmed that he still stays in touch with Roxy and Matthew, revealing that they even have plans to meet up soon.
“We are due to go out for lunch very soon. I saw Matthew in panto and Roxy and I went down together. That was a really nice moment.”
A Challenging Yet Rewarding Storyline
Jacob’s recent storyline, which saw him deal with Leyla’s death, was one of the most emotionally intense moments for the character. Joe-Warren admitted that there was a huge amount of pressure in portraying Jacob’s grief in a way that felt realistic and respectful to those who have experienced similar situations in real life.
“It was a lot of pressure to be fair. I almost felt really scared in that moment. Obviously, it was exciting and exhilarating. I know a few people who have this job in real life and it is not easy by any means. They struggle with the pressures that it brings on a scale that I don’t think any other job has,” he explained.
He took his role seriously, making sure to research and understand the real-life struggles of those in similar situations.
“It was important to take my time with it and research things. You hear stories about what these people deal with on a day-to-day basis. I know that I couldn’t do it. I have so much respect for anybody who has that job. So, it was important for me to tell it with as much authenticity as I could.”
What’s Next for Jacob?
With a new era for Jacob unfolding, fans can expect to see him take on new challenges and forge new relationships in Emmerdale. The loss of Leyla and David’s departure from the village have left him without his core family unit, but it also presents a chance for growth and transformation.
Joe-Warren’s passion for the role remains strong, and he is eager to see how Jacob’s journey continues to evolve in the coming months.
As Emmerdale continues to bring gripping storylines to the screen, one thing is certain—Jacob Gallagher’s future in the village is far from predictable. Fans will have to stay tuned to see how he navigates life after loss and what surprises lie ahead.
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