Actress Casey Al-Shaqsy has said she is “absolutely thrilled” to be joining Emmerdale as the newest member of the iconic Sugden family.
Ms Al-Shaqsy will take on the role of the mysterious Serena Sugden, a character set to make a dramatic entrance into the Yorkshire village later this month.
Her arrival is expected to shake up life in the Dales as she becomes embroiled in an “extremely gripping” storyline.
The Sugden family has been at the heart of Emmerdale since the ITV soap first launched in 1972, making Serena the latest addition to one of the programme’s most established and beloved dynasties.
The star said she is thrilled to be part of the show
|ITV
Viewers will see Serena thrust into the centre of village drama after she becomes caught up in the aftermath of a traumatic situation involving an as-yet unidentified character.
Speaking about joining the long-running soap, Ms Al-Shaqsy said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining such an iconic show and playing a Sugden.
“Serena is a fantastic character with so much going on beneath the surface. I can’t wait for the audience to see the drama unfold.”
The introduction of Serena is also expected to strengthen the presence of the Sugden family within the show’s ongoing storylines.
Laura Shaw, a producer of Emmerdale, welcomed the actress to the cast and teased major developments ahead.
She said: “The Sugden’s are a core part of the Emmerdale fabric, and we are thrilled to welcome Casey to the family.
“Her character will be at the heart of some extremely gripping and unexpected storylines, forcing her to make difficult choices that will have dramatic consequences for some of the village’s biggest names.”
While this marks Ms Al-Shaqsy’s first major television soap role, she is already a familiar face to theatre audiences thanks to an impressive career on stage.
The Sugden family are set to have their world torn upside down
|ITV
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The performer has appeared in a number of high-profile West End and touring productions, showcasing her talents as both an actress and singer.
Among her most notable credits are roles in the UK tours of the award-winning musicals Hamilton, Wicked and Six: The Musical, productions that have attracted millions of theatre-goers and earned critical acclaim.
She has also appeared in Once On This Island, the Tony Award-winning musical celebrating Caribbean culture and storytelling.
Ms Al-Shaqsy's theatre résumé also includes performances in Bonnie And Clyde, based on the infamous American outlaw duo, and The Prince Of Egypt, the stage adaptation of the DreamWorks animated film.
The actress recently played the role of Elphaba in Wicked
|Her varied stage work has seen her tackle a range of characters across drama, comedy and musical theatre, helping to establish her as a rising talent within the industry.
Her move into one of Britain's best-known soaps is likely to introduce her to a wider television audience as Serena Sugden's story begins to unfold.
Fans will be able to see Serena make her debut later this month as Emmerdale continues to air on weekday evenings at 8pm on ITV1 and STV. Episodes are also available from 7am on ITVX, STV and YouTube.
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