Like fish and chips, waiting in queues, and talking about the weather, soap operas are totally ingrained within British culture. Even if you don’t watch them religiously or even regularly, programmes like EastEnders, Coronation Street, and Emmerdale have been on UK TV guides for decades and their iconic characters have become household names. Now and again, soap stars break free from terrestrial telly and make their way to the big screen. I’ve picked out ten stand outs that are making it in the movies…
Himesh Patel
After appearing in EastEnders as the studious and socially awkward Tamwar Masood for nine years, Himesh Patel landed a surprise leading role in Danny Boyle’s romcom Yesterday. Since then, he’s gone on to star in Tenet, Don’t Look Up, and is in Daniel Levy’s recent Netflix drama Good Grief.
Sam Strike
Sam Strike only spent a year in Albert Square, joining with Danny Dyer as Mick Carter’s son Johnny. This character is soon to be recast but Strike has been busy with other projects. His latest part is in George Clooney’s sports underdog movie The Boys in the Boat, which is in UK cinemas now!
Rob James-Collier
It might’ve been a while ago but Rob James-Collier made a big impact during his time on the Corrie cobbles as Liam Connor, winning awards for Sexiest Male and Best Exit during his stint. He’s now better known for playing under-butler Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey, a role that he reprised twice for the series’ cinema outings in 2019 and 2022.
Ben Hardy
One of the many actors to have portrayed Peter Beale in EastEnders, Ben Hardy made a high profile move to the cinema when he landed a part in superhero flick X-Men: Apocalypse. He worked with disgraced director Bryan Singer again the Academy Award-winning Queen movie Bohemian Rhapsody and has been steadily appearing in film hits ever since.
Mia McKenna-Bruce
Nominated for an EE Rising Star award at the BAFTAs this year, Mia McKenna-Bruce has deservedly received acclaim for her lead performance in Molly Manning-Walker’s excellent coming-of-age film How to Have Sex. Eagle-eyed soap fans may recognise her from her tiny five episode stint in EastEnders as Penny Branning in 2008.
Shaun Thomas
Another star of aforementioned indie hit How to Have Sex, actor Shaun Thomas is the exception to the rule in that he appeared in films long before his time in Emmerdale as ill-fated cheeky chappy Gerry Roberts. He had a breakthrough turn in Clio Barnard’s drama The Selfish Giant in 2013 and worked with her again in the brilliant Ali & Ava in 2021.
David Witts
David Witts started his screen career as Joey Branning, a cousin of Mia-McKenna Bruce’s character mentioned previously. He went on to star in hit musical Wicked in London’s West End and landed in his first film role in David Ayer’s action thriller The Beekeeper.
Jenna Coleman
Known for her television roles in Doctor Who, Victoria, and The Sandman, you could be forgiven for forgetting that Jenna Coleman started her acting career in Emmerdale, portraying Jasmine Thomas between 2005 and 2009. In recent years, she’s made the move to the big screen with roles in Neil Maskell’s comic drama Klokkenluider and in action thriller Jackdaw which will be out in UK cinemas soon.
Alex Ferns
One of British soap opera’s most memorable villains, Alex Ferns terrified viewers with his portrayal of the abusive Trevor Morgan in EastEnders in the early noughties. He’s had an illustrious screen career since, appearing on television in huge shows such as Chernobyl and Andor, and he even had a small part in The Batman.
Dominic Brunt
Best known for his longstanding role in Emmerdale as loveably nervous vet Paddy Dingle, actor Dominic Brunt has made it in the movies behind the camera. A massive fan of horror, he has written and directed multiple feature films and his latest release Wolf Manor is now streaming on Prime Video.
I was lucky enough to interview him about the film and you can read the interview here!
Cinema Perspective 