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

Two major Hollyoaks characters are coming home (Picture: Lime Pictures)

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.

Imran was last seen in the village in 2023 after he decided to embark on an exciting new chapter of his life, moving to London to share a flat with brother Sami (Rishi Nair), who left the eponymous village a number of years prior. 

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.

The chef shared a heartfelt goodbye with Juliet and then bid farewell to mum Misbah (Harvey Virdi) and sister Yazz (Haiesha Mistry) before departing the eponymous village.

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

Imran was last seen in 2023 (Picture: LIME PICTURES)

Talking about staging a comeback to Hollyoaks, the actor said: ‘Coming back to the village feels like home.

‘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.

After all, their families share a tense and difficult history as, back in 2019, Ste (Kieron Richardson) was groomed by a far-right radicalisation group who targeted the Maalik family.

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 previously played by Ela-May Demircan (Picture: Lime Pictures)

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.

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.

Charlotte starred opposite Hollyoaks stars Lewis Walton and Brook Debio in Coronation Street last year (Picture: ITV)

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.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.

Comments Add as preferred source