Eastenders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and their lesser sibling, Hollyoaks. All these British Soaps are home to some of the worst actors on British Television - with a few gems hidden in Pat Butcher's earring collection and Gail Platt's divorce papers. Countless soap stars have flown out to America, clutching their Sexiest Soap Star Awards declaring they'll be the next best thing in Hollywood. Ten months later they're back on the Square as glorified extra number 3, regretting ever leaving the cobbles. But sometimes, the most unlikely of soap stars have made it: let's take a look at a few.
Michelle Ryan![]()
Who can forget the #iconic ‘you ain't my muvva’ scene? Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater in Eastenders from September 2000-June 2005, arriving with her boisterous band of sisters. Raised believing that Kat Slater was her sister, it came as a massive bombshell for her when it was revealed that Kat was actually her mother – who had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by her Uncle Harry. After months of stereotypical soap storylines: dating the man your sister/mother is in love with; almost falling into prostitution; allowing Dirty Den to manipulate you into fathering his child to scupper your relationship with his estranged son until his wife finds out and encourages you to abort the baby then murders Den and blames you for it. You know, a typical Friday in Walford. Zoe left Albert Square in 2005, heading off to Spain to recapture her youth, probably running into about twenty ex-residents of Walford who’d ran to Spain to escape the law. Michelle starred in numerous flops and the obligatory Doctor Who episodes before landing a role in the US series
Covert Affairs in 2013, which was cancelled early 2015 due to low ratings.
Ricky Whittle![]()
Ricky Whittle has three American series under his belt as of 2015, Mistresses, NCIS and
The 100, where he’s somehow managed to convince the fandom that he can act. As somehow who sat through Hollyoaks in 2010, I find it hard to believe but you do you Ricky. Described by many soap magazines as ‘gorgeous with his shirt off, but misogynistic, patronising and whiney as fuck’ Ricky played hopeless Calvin Valentine from 2006-2010 before leaving from greener pastures (aka Strictly Come Dancing). Calvin started as a kind hearted policeman, but in true Hollyoaks fashion, ended his run on the soap as a drug dealing crime boss who managed to sleep his way through half the village. Murdered by ex-lover Theresa Mcqueen on his wedding day to her cousin Carmel Mcqueen (after also shagging her sister, Mercedes Mcqueen), Calvin died as he lived – shirtless (I kid I kid)
Nathalie Emmanuel![]()
Nathalie is another Hollyoaks alumni who played Ricky Whittle’s sister, Sasha from 2006-2010. Sasha was, putting it as nicely as I can, a bit of a mess – described by Nathalie herself as ‘very immature’. Sasha’s storylines involved becoming a heroin addict, a prostitute, victim of a series of violent attacks and a gangster's moll in one of the worst storylines to grace Hollyoaks in 2010. After she was axed from Hollyoaks many of her fans honestly held no hope that she would progress any further with her acting career but she thankfully proved everyone wrong, giving us a great butt shot in Misfits then playing the delightful Missandei in
Game of Thrones.
Robert Kazinsky![]()
Robert Kazinsky played fan favourite Sean Slater in Eastenders (2006-2009). Sean was the local bad boy and obligatory hot guy who has sex with every female character in Walford. Sean was a raging psychopath who the audience couldn’t get enough of, leaving fans gutted when he landed roles in True Blood and
Pacific Rim, signalling that he and Eastenders are never ever ever getting back together. You’ll always be Sven from Basil Brush to me, Rob.
Emma Rigby![]()
Emma Rigby was nominated for Best Actress at the Soap Awards in 2008 for her portrayal of Hannah Ashworth (Hollyoaks). One of the only decent Hollyoaks actors to grace Hollywood, Emma carried Hannah’s devastating anorexia role and attracted attention from the press and viewers along with the storyline resulting in the death of a character from the illness' which was a first for British soap. Emma landed the role of the Red Queen in 2013 mess
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and has stayed a regular on British television.
Roxanne Mckee![]()
Roxanne Mckee is also another Hollyoaks favourite who managed to gain a role on
Game of Thrones. She played Louise Summers, Warren’s first wife, who also slept with Ricky Whittle (God I hope all these Hollyoaks stars have to meet up on a red carpet one day). She shared a similar exit storyline with Ricky, being murdered by her fiancé Warren on her wedding day. Ouch.
Anna Friel![]()
While most Americans might know her as Charlotte Charles from the ABC comedy Pushing Dasies, UK soap lovers will always remember her as troubled teen Beth, who murdered her dad and buried him under their patio (he did deserve it, mind). Barry Sloane![]()
What the hell is with all these Hollyoaks actors landing US deals? Revenge star Barry Sloane played villain Niall McQueen, who most will remember for his psychotic plan to murder his mother who had given him up at birth. I, however, remember him for being the bastard that killed Max in a hit and run. Fucking prick. Niall kidnapped his multiple siblings in 2008 in an episode that was going fine until Hollyoaks added a terrible CGI dove scene, ruining all and any credibility they ever had. After killing sister Tina (who was mourned for five minutes then promptly forgotten), Niall disappeared and was finally killed off in Hollyoaks Later when he jumped off a cliff. The response from the McQueen’s was a resounding ‘meh’ and he’s never been mentioned again. Good.Emmett Scanlan![]()
Emmett Scanlan is well on his way to a nice American debut, after playing Guard Number 3 in blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy. Emmett played problematic gay fave, Brendan Brady, from 2010-2013. Brendan was supposed to be Warren’s successor as big ass villain, but his famous moustache killed any fear factor and he swiftly became known as an anti-hero following his troubled relationship with Ste Hayes. Brendan/Ste probably rivals John Paul/Craig for most fan videos and delusional fanfictions, it’s almost too much for my JP/C heart to take.Honourable Mentions: Martine McCutcheon (Tiffany Mitchell in Eastenders to Natalie in Love Actually), Max Brown (Hollyoaks to The Tudors) and recent Ex-Eastenders Ben Hardy, Sam Strike and Joey Branning (I’ll be fucked if I can remember his real name) who are rumoured to be headlining some big American franchises in the next few years.
