‘I left Emmerdale after 17 years – but now is the right time for me to return to soaps’
EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Wolfenden opened up about his bombshell Emmerdale exit and why he has chosen to return to the world of soaps.
Matthew Wolfenden is best known for playing David Metcalfe on Emmerdale (Image: ITV)
Matthew Wolfenden is no doubt best known for playing David Metcalfe on Emmerdale. Somewhat of a soap legend, the 45-year-old appeared as the iconic character for more than 17 years before he decided to leave in 2023. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Express, the soap star said he stands by his decision to leave, believing it was the right choice for him at that time.
He recalled often being asked if he was ever going to quit, and would always respond by telling them that he would step down from the soap if he woke up one morning and decided he wanted to try out other things. “I never had that in 18 years. I couldn’t wait to get to Emmerdale. But then it was because I’d been offered the part of Buddie in Elf the Musical in the West End, and yes, it was only an eight-week run over Christmas, but it lit that fire inside me again and I thought, if I don’t scratch this itch now then I’m never going to do it,” Matthew said.
Matthew has joined the cast of Hollyoaks as part of the Keanes family (Image: Channel 4)
The dad-of-three only looks back at his time on Emmerdale fondly, confessing: “I could’ve quite easily stayed there. I loved it there and I loved everybody there. But I just thought if I don’t do it now, I’m never going to do it, so I bit the bullet and did it.”
The TV star was honest about the struggles of being a working actor, particularly the shift from being a regular on a soap to auditioning for roles.
That is why Matthew has returned to the world of soaps – but not Emmerdale. He has now joined the cast of Hollyoaks as part of the Keanes family.
“This is why I jumped at the chance when Hollyoaks came through because when you get the chance to have a full year’s contract as an actor, you’ve got to bite their hand off,” he said.
“When I read the breakdown of the year and what was going to happen with the Keanes family, it was impossible to say no to.”
Matthew will portray Jonah, starring alongside Rebecca Ryan as Beth, Lewis Walton as Caleb and Sam Meyer as Maddox.
Teasing what’s in store for the Keanes, Matthew explained: “There are going to be some definite twists and turns with Jonah and the family over the year. He’s a real family man. He’s been married to his new wife Rebecca for three years. His ex-wife, who passed away, was friends with his new wife at school so he’s known her over the years.
“It’s a blended family. Jonah has a grown up son called Caleb and Rebecca has a son called Maddox who is a little younger. Jonah is really likeable at first and loves his wife. They’ve never left the honeymoon stage, they’re always all over each other.”
Hollyoaks fans can expect a major stunt ahead of the Keanes’ arrival. “We come in, quite literally, with a bang – with a huge car accident – which was amazing to film,” he added.
The new family is set to shake up Chester village in the coming weeks.
Matthew will portray Jonah Keane (Image: Channel 4)
Matthew is also appearing in the new short film, Kate Expectations, set in the midst of the glam and glorious chaos of Ladies’ Day at The Grand National.
The film follows a mother and son, who arrive at the races carrying the ashes of their late partner and father. What starts as a tribute soon descends into chaos when the urn mysteriously disappears.
Matthew stars as Johnny, the love interest of main character Jack, played by Carl Loughlin.
“Johnny and Jack get chatting and end up having a couple of drinks together. There’s a little spark between them, they kind of fancy each other,” Matthew said of his role. “This was my first on-screen kiss with a man! It was great to play and I had a really fun day filming.”
