Joe Absolom is said to have completed filming his final scenes on Emmerdale after only a few months in the role of villain Ray Walters, part of one of the soap’s darkest storylines.
An Emmerdale star has reportedly filmed their final scenes as they prepare to leave the ITV soap.
Joe Absolom is said to have wrapped up his stint on Emmerdale after completing his last scenes. The 47-year-old actor played drug dealer Ray Walters for just a few months, with reports suggesting his exit will be dramatic in episodes airing in the new year.
Before joining Emmerdale, Joe was best known for his role as Matthew Rose on BBC’s EastEnders from 1997 to 2000, and later starred alongside Martin Clunes as Al Large in the comedy-drama Doc Martin, appearing throughout its 18-year run from 2004 to 2022.
A source shared details about his unexpected departure: “Bosses always knew Joe would only be in the village for a limited time, but they’ve certainly made the most of having someone of his calibre. He filmed his final scenes back in November.”
The Sun reports that Joe Absolom’s exit storyline is set to unfold as part of Emmerdale’s upcoming crossover with Coronation Street. During his short stint in the Yorkshire village, his character Ray has been at the centre of one of the soap’s darkest plotlines in its 53-year history, according to the Mirror.
Together with his foster mother, Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), Ray has been running a drugs operation and human trafficking ring, forcing residents such as April Windsor and Bear Wolf to take part in their criminal schemes. Fans of the show already know that Celia is preparing to leave, and actress Jaye—who has appeared in The Bill and Doctors—recently spoke about how ‘heartbroken’ she feels about saying goodbye to the role.
Reflecting on her departure, Jaye said: “I knew it was a finite role, which makes me very sad, because I would have loved to stay forever. But it’s such a strong arc. It’s heaven—one of the nicest places I’ve ever worked, and I’ve done a little bit of work before!”
She added: “It’s gentle, kind, professional, and funny, and people care that it’s done well. People care that we tell the story properly. It’s a joy to come to work. I’m gushing now, aren’t I?”
Jaye has loved the audience’s reaction to Celia so far but has urged viewers to remember that she is “really nice” in real life, despite her character’s dark deeds.
She said: “Everyone comes up to me in the street and tells me how much they love Celia, and you think, ‘yeah, that’s not going to last.’ It’s so not going to last, and I want to remind people that it’s just pretend—I’m really nice, I’m not a sociopath. It’s definitely not going to last, I’m going to get hate mail!”
The actress also expressed her hope that her storyline sheds light on the harsh reality of modern slavery.
She explained: “I hope so. That it’s not happening somewhere far away, it’s happening next door. There are people whose passports and phones have been taken. She even tells Joe, ‘we never take local.’
“You don’t take people who will be missed—you take the waifs and strays, give them purpose and routine, and that lulls them. You don’t give them any options. It’s hideous, absolutely hideous. Sometimes when I read the script, I think, ‘Really? You’re going to make me say that?’ Just when you think she’s gone far enough, they push her even further. So yes, it’s horrendous.”
“Hopefully, maybe it will spark conversations. Maybe every nail bar… maybe a question will cross people’s minds. Maybe at every car wash—just as an ordinary person—when you go in, you might ask, ‘Do you have a passport?’”
“How do you navigate that? How can an ordinary citizen help? I asked a police officer, and he said, ‘Don’t know.'”
Jaye has found freedom in playing a character who couldn’t care less about what others think of her.
She said: “I love her. She doesn’t have many laughs—I’m hardly swinging from the rafters—but it’s wonderful to explore someone who doesn’t care whether you like her or not, because your opinion is worth less than nothing.
“It simply doesn’t cross her mind that you have one, or that I should take it into account. It makes her bold, unafraid, because the worst that could happen has already happened, and she survived. So bring it on. Just bring it on!”
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