A number of soap stars will shine in the coming months, with big storylines on the cards (Picture: Lime Pictures / ITV / BBC / Getty)
The soaps are as compelling as ever right now.
With strong storylines, expertly written scripts and some truly breathtaking twists, this year has got off to quite the start in the land of serial drama.
EastEnders’ flashforward episode got everyone talking, while Coronation Street has similarly sparked a lot of discussion, with its powerful consent storyline involving Amy Barlow and Aaron Sandford.
Emmerdale, meanwhile, has focused on Arthur Thomas’ superb coming out story, as he goes above and beyond to protect classmate and crush Marshall Hamston from his homophobic father Colin, while Hollyoaks has seen Juliet Nightingale undergo treatment for cancer in a truly heartbreaking story.
As we said, the strong storylines have kept us hooked as of late! However, we have to take a moment to commend the actors who bring our favourite characters to life.
A storyline, no matter how compelling, is nothing if the actor behind the character isn’t delivering on the material, and that certainly isn’t the case in the nation’s big four soaps.
With many more stories to come – and some set to reach their dramatic peaks in the coming months – join us, as we look at which soap stars you should absolutely be keeping an eye on for the rest of the year.
Danielle Harold (Lola Pearce, EastEnders)
Danielle has had a harrowing storyline (Picture: BBC)
Danielle Harold has played Lola Pearce since 2011 and she’s currently in the middle of what is undoubtedly her biggest storyline yet.
Lola was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in heartbreaking scenes last year, and has since been trying to live life to the full.
After a romantic Christmas Day proposal, she tied the knot with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) last month, and has since been getting to know her mum, Emma (Patsy Kensit) after she abandoned her as a child.
Things with Emma are set to get more complicated, as she and Jay clash over their different approaches to Lola’s situation.
When Emma thinks she’s caught Jay cheating, furious Lola chucks him out, while her health continues to decline, but will they get back on the same page before it’s too late?
EastEnders has seemingly confirmed that Lola will die before Christmas, with her picture having been seen on the bar during the show’s history-making flashforward sequence.
As Danielle’s time on the BBC soap comes toward an end, she is sure to be pulling out all the stops to tell this harrowing story.
Aaron Thiara (Ravi Gulati, EastEnders)
Ravi has caused nothing but trouble since he arrived (Picture: BBC)
Aaron Thiara is a relative newcomer to the world of soap compared to others on this list, having first appeared on EastEnders in 2022.
Though he hasn’t been around for long, he has certainly made an impact on the Square.
He has recently been embroiled in a steamy affair with Denise Fox (Diane Parish), who ended up calling things off when her conscience got the better of her.
To make matters even more complicated, her husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) has been investigating the Walford bad boy, completely unaware of his involvement with his wife.
The policeman suspects that Ravi is involved in organised crime, and is determined to take him down.
Ravi, however, is prepared to do whatever it takes to get his hands on whatever information Jack has on him, and that is sure to cause drama for Denise and her family.
We can’t forget that Ravi is capable of violence, having murdered his own father last year.
We’re sure that whatever is coming for Ravi will really be something for Aaron to get his teeth into, and will provide unmissable viewing, so make sure you don’t miss a second from here on out!
Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow, Coronation Street)
Amy will open up to family and friends about her ordeal (Picture: ITV)
Elle Mulvaney has spent more than half of her life playing Amy Barlow in Coronation Street, after taking on the role in 2010 at just seven-years-old.
The actress is now tackling a hard-hitting storyline that sees Amy come to terms with the fact that she has been raped by Aaron Sanford (James Craven).
Over the coming weeks, family, friends and the police will become involved as Amy opens up about the ordeal she has faced.
Elle has done considerable research for this storyline, with the help of The Schools Consent Project.
As the story progresses, she will be given the opportunity to ‘showcase her considerable skills’, according to producer Iain MacLeod.
She will definitely be someone to look out for.
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Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley, Coronation Street)
Justin’s behaviour toward Daisy will only get more sinister (Picture: ITV)
Charlotte Jordan’s Coronation Street character Daisy Midgeley has been subject to torment from sinister stalker Justin (Andrew Still) for the past couple of months.
Things have recently escalated to worrying levels, as he let himself into her house, leaving her terrified by what he might do.
With her wedding to Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) coming up, there is sure to be drama ahead.
Pictures from the location shoot of Daisy and Daniel’s wedding obtained by Metro.co.uk show that the bride is nowhere to be seen.
Could Justin get to Daisy before she gets the chance to walk down the aisle?
In a dark and sinister twist, Justin is set to resort to an acid attack in a horrifying turn to the story.
This is Charlotte’s biggest storyline to date, after joining the show in 2020, and she has so far handled it perfectly, making her a performer to watch out for in the coming weeks.
Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle, Emmerdale)
Charity is bound to find out the truth (Picture: ITV)
Speaking of weddings, Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins, is set to tie the knot with fiance Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) next month.
Fans of the ITV soap will expect that nothing about this wedding will be plain sailing, as Mack has a secret baby on the way.
Chloe Harris (Jessie Elland) fell pregnant with Mack’s baby after a one night stand, and they have been fighting to keep their secret ever since.
However, viewers will be aware that a soap wedding and a massive secret often go hand in hand, so we’re definitely expecting fireworks for Charity in the coming weeks.
Emma has been a fan favourite on the show ever since her arrival back in 2000.
She has received critical acclaim from audiences, but narrowly missed out on the award for Best Actress at the British Soap Awards in 2018, following a harrowing storyline that explored historic child sexual abuse.
With Charity set to discover the extent of Mack’s lies, we’re sure that Emma will be at her very best once again.
Alfie Clarke (Arthur Thomas, Emmerdale)
Arthur came out as gay in emotional scenes (Picture: ITV)
Alfie Clarke has played Arthur Thomas in Emmerdale since 2009, and is the youngest actor on our list.
Arthur recently came out as gay in heartwarming scenes, and has since been involved in a storyline that has seen him try to protect crush Marshall Hamston (Max Fletcher) from homophobic dad Colin (Mark Noble).
With Marshall set to move in with the family, having been disowned by his own father after coming out himself, we’re hopeful that Arthur will be able to support him as the story continues.
However, nasty Colin will remain on the scene, so could he end up causing even more problems for Arthur?
Alfie Clarke has done a wonderful job on this story so far, and we’re certain that he will continue to excel in his performance.
Anna Passey (Sienna Blake, Hollyoaks)
Sienna will have a big storyline in the coming weeks (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Anna Passey is the very definition of soap royalty, having been at the centre of just about every storyline imaginable since joining Hollyoaks 11 years ago as the absolute icon that is Sienna Blake.
The soap star has delivered time and again, always managing to find nuance and truth in her performance, making us understand Sienna’s motivations and actions, no matter how off the wall they may seem.
Speaking of Sienna, the past few months have proven difficult for her, what with Warren and Norma plotting to take her kids away from her, not to mention her ongoing relationship with Ethan, which hasn’t been plain-sailing.
The arrival of a suave newcomer, however, changes everything for the former teacher, with Rafe – played by The Crown’s Chris Gordon – set to come between her and her beloved Ethan.
Say it ain’t so!
What brings Rafe to the village and how exactly he comes into Sienna’s orbit remains to be seen, but it’s a big storyline, that’s for sure, with actor Chris promising ‘fireworks.’
Is this the end of Sienna and Ethan? Or can we expect a twist on the cards? This is Hollyoaks we’re talking about so we reckon the latter option
Either way, Anna does both conflict and scheming so incredibly well, so we cannot wait to see her thriving once more as part of this storyline.
Niamh Blackshaw (Juliet Nightingale, Hollyoaks)
Juliet, pictured with Peri, is at the centre of a huge storyline (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Niamh Blackshaw has absolutely blown us away with her portrayal of Juliet, who recently discovered that she’s got cancer.
The actress is no stranger to leaving fans in awe with her ability, having tackled hard-hitting stories the past, particularly the County Lines narrative, but Niamh has yet again upped her game with Juliet’s diagnosis, leaving us in tears.
The storyline will reach another peak next week, with Juliet and soulmate Peri taking a trip to Blackpool, before Jules receives an update on her treatment, so fans expect this narrative to continue for quite some time, and Niamh will no doubt continue to impress like the absolute star that she is.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One. Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV. Emmerdale airs Mondays to Fridays at 7:30pm on ITV. Hollyoaks airs Mondays to Fridays at 7pm on E4, with first look episodes daily on All4.
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MORE : Second EastEnders exit set for this week confirmed
These soap icons are going to take you by storm in the coming months.