There’s a brand new face in Emmerdale this month, as Steph Milligan makes her long-awaited debut.
Amid numerous cast changes on the ITV soap – including the return of Ross Barton (Michael Parr) and the forthcoming departures of Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop), Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell) and Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi) – actress Georgia Jay is a brand new addition.
But who is she and what does her arrival mean for the village? Here’s the lowdown…
Who is Steph Milligan in Emmerdale?
Steph Milligan is the estranged daughter of Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) and Caleb Miligan (William Ash). She’s also the sister of Nicky Milligan (Lewis Cope), who recently left the village with boyfriend Suni (Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana).
Steph hasn’t seen either of her parents in well over a decade, but her arrival has been hinted at in recent weeks after Ruby’s dying mum Helen mentioned her to Caleb.
Caleb was rattled and seemed to adopt the view if she wanted to get in touch, she would.
He’s set to be shocked when Steph turns up in the village on Friday 15 November with a big demand…
Who plays Steph Milligan in Emmerdale?
Steph is played by soap newcomer Georgia Jay.
The actress has previously had a two-episode role in 2019 BBC drama Giri/Haji.
She also appeared in Spanish English-language drama Glow & Darkness alongside screen legends Joan Collins and Denise Richards in 2021.
What has Georgia Jay said about playing Steph in Emmerdale?
In a recent chat with Metro, Georgia hinted at tough scenes ahead for Steph and her on-screen parents.
‘There’s that element where she’s probably always wanted a reunion but it’s too difficult for her to admit it right now,’ she explained. ‘I think that’s masked by her anger. Her anger towards [Ruby and Caleb] is so strong that she’s probably not even thinking about that.
‘I think when she does spend time with them and there’s a lot to unpack, it becomes a little bit clearer that perhaps a reconciliation could happen, but there’s a lot more in there which I can’t talk about.’
What is ahead for Steph in Emmerdale?
Spoilers for next week’s episodes have revealed Ruby’s attempts at getting to the bottom of Steph’s relationship with her late mum Helen.
She’s taken aback when the newcomer continuously berates Ruby for her troubled childhood. Pushed over the edge, Ruby snaps and slaps Steph.
But things soon get more complicated when Ruby’s dad Anthony, portrayed by Nicholas Day, arrives in the village.
Ruby’s not seen her father in over 30 years it doesn’t look like it will be a happy reunion.
Beth Cordingly, who plays Ruby, told Metro: ‘Steph’s been told by Anthony that he really wants to make amends for not being in Ruby’s life and wants to build this family back together, and Ruby’s having none of it.’
Amid the family drama, Steph also catches the eye of recent returnee Ross Barton.
Georgia admitted there’s ‘an immediate chemistry there’ between the two characters.
She told Metro: ‘I think for the first time Ross is probably not used to someone wearing the trousers. I think he’s quite taken aback by her.
‘She definitely uses it as ammo towards her parents because she knows that he’s not the kind of guy that they want for her. It’s a really fun dynamic to play. There’s a lot of fun to be had. I don’t know where it’s going but it’s currently good!’
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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