Viewers were left questioning whether they were seeing correctly
Charlotte Tutton Soaps Editor, Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter and Katie Timms Head of Content
13:06, 04 Nov 2025Updated 13:07, 04 Nov 2025
Archie on November 3, 2025(Image: ITV)
The recent episode of Emmerdale has left some fans puzzled as a young character made a reappearance.
Archie Breckle, the son of Jai Sharma (played by Chris Bisson), returned in Monday’s episode (3rd November) after a significant absence. However, his altered appearance had viewers doing a double-take, questioning their own eyesight.
A number of ITV soap watchers were convinced that the role had been discreetly recast with a new actor stepping into Archie’s shoes. But this isn’t the case – young actor Kai Assi, who has portrayed Archie since 2019, is still in the role.
The latest credits confirm this, and it’s clear from the scenes that it’s indeed Kai. Despite this, some viewers couldn’t help but wonder why Archie looked so different, suggesting he’d undergone a transformation and was somewhat unrecognisable.
As is typical with young actors on the show, they often take a break for their studies as they enter their teenage years, reports the Daily Star.
Archie has been played by Kai Assi since 2019(Image: ITV)
Whether there’s an on-screen absence or not, as these younger cast members grow up before our eyes, they’re naturally going to look different, reports the Mirror.
This is no different for Archie and actor Kai, who is believed to be around 15 years old. He’s simply growing up as all teenagers do.
Nonetheless, this hasn’t stopped fans from speculating that the soap has aged the character up, and that an older actor has taken on the role, simply because he appeared much younger when he was last seen on screen.
Viewers flocked to social media, voicing their astonishment at Archie’s transformation, who appeared to have matured considerably since his previous appearance on the programme. One viewer declared: “When did Archie age about 5 years? ! ?”.
Another wondered: “How old is Archie? Has he come home from university?” whilst a third observed: “I see Archie’s grown five years overnight.”
Archie made a return to Emmerdale on Monday(Image: ITV)
Additional remarks included: “When did Archie grow up?” and “Since when did Archie get soo grown up.”
This prompted viewers to wonder whether a different actor had assumed the character. One message stated: “Is this a new Archie with a new head or has he grown up?” Another concurred, questioning: “Has Archie been recast and aged up?”.
More viewers joined the discussion, with one commenting: “I was wondering who the hell that was, the last time I saw Archie he was about 5,” whilst another proclaimed: “That’s not Archie!” A further post enquired: “Is that a new Archie? Or the same one?”.
The conjecture persisted, with viewers uncertain whether this was the same Archie they recognised previously. A viewer remarked: “Oh look Archie has a new face and finally aged,” whilst another queried: “A new Archie?”.