Two major Hollyoaks returns confirmed as major character is recast after 13 years

Hollyoaks is bringing back not one but two familiar faces (well, kind of!) as Imran Maalik (Ijaz Rana) and Leah Barnes return to the eponymous village with a big secret.

After finding out that Juliet Nightingale’s (Niamh Blackshaw) cancer was terminal, he resolved to stay but Juliet refused to let him miss out on such a big job opportunity, urging him to grab life with both hands.

Three years later and star Ijaz will reprise his role, with Imran returning to the village once more.

‘It’s an honour to step into Imran again, and he hasn’t been quite off-screen… I can’t wait for everyone to see what he’s been up to.’
Imran returns with a secret – he’s been in a relationship with Leah Barnes!

The two characters arrive arm-in-arm in upcoming scenes, which will no doubt get everyone talking in the village.

Actress Charlotte Riley steps into the role of Leah, taking over from star Ela-May Demircan, who portrayed the character for 13 years.

Leah was written out of the show post-time-jump in 2024, when it was revealed that she slept with brother Lucas Hay’s (Oscar Curtis) one true love Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass), giving birth to his son in subsequent scenes.

The character headed off to America to become a lawyer, leaving baby James in the custody of Ste – though Dillon left the village last week with his one year old son.

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Charlotte Riley, who previously appeared in Coronation Street as young Lou Michaelis, said that it feels ‘like a dream’ to be joining Hollyoaks.

‘I’m looking forward to viewers seeing a new side to Leah Barnes,’ she enthused.

In a fun fact, Charlotte is the third cast member of Corrie’s Mick and Kit flashback episode to join the cast of Hollyoaks.

Brook Debio, who starred as young Kit on the ITV soap, plays Anthony Hutchinson on the Chester-based soap while Lewis Walton – who will join Hollyoaks as part of the new Keane clan – portrayed young Mick.

Talk about a soap reunion!

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
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