{"id":492263,"date":"2026-03-24T08:33:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T08:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/492263\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T08:33:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T08:33:11","slug":"two-major-hollyoaks-returns-confirmed-as-major-character-is-recast-after-13-years-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/492263\/","title":{"rendered":"Two major Hollyoaks returns confirmed as major character is recast after 13 years | Soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Imran
\n\t\tTwo major Hollyoaks characters are coming home (Picture: Lime Pictures)<\/p>\n

Hollyoaks<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n

Imran was last seen in the village in 2023 <\/a>after he decided to embark on an exciting new chapter<\/a>\u00a0of his life, moving to\u00a0London<\/a>\u00a0to share a flat with brother Sami (Rishi Nair), who left the eponymous village<\/a> a number of years prior.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After finding out that Juliet Nightingale\u2019s (Niamh Blackshaw) cancer was terminal, he resolved to stay but Juliet refused to let him miss out on such a big job opportunity,\u00a0urging him to grab life with both hands<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

Three years later and star Ijaz will reprise his role, with Imran returning to the village once more. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"Hollyoaks
\n\t\tImran was last seen in 2023 (Picture: LIME PICTURES)<\/p>\n

Talking about staging a comeback to Hollyoaks, the actor said: \u2018Coming back to the village feels like home. <\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s an honour to step into Imran again, and he hasn\u2019t been quite off-screen\u2026 I can\u2019t wait for everyone to see what he\u2019s been up to.\u2019<\/p>\n

Imran returns with a secret \u2013 he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

\t\t\"Leah,
\n\t\tLeah was previously played by Ela-May Demircan (Picture: Lime Pictures)<\/p>\n

Leah was written out of the show post-time-jump in 2024, when it was revealed that she slept with brother Lucas Hay<\/a>\u2019s (Oscar Curtis<\/a>) one true love Dillon Ray<\/a> (Nathaniel Dass), giving birth to his son in subsequent scenes. <\/p>\n

The character headed off to America to become a lawyer<\/a>, leaving baby James in the custody of Ste \u2013 though Dillon left the village last week <\/a>with his one year old son.<\/p>\n

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Charlotte Riley, who previously appeared in Coronation Street as young Lou Michaelis, said that it feels \u2018like a dream\u2019 to be joining Hollyoaks. \u2018I\u2019m looking forward to viewers seeing a new side to Leah Barnes,\u2019 she enthused.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Young
\n\t\tCharlotte starred opposite Hollyoaks stars Lewis Walton and Brook Debio in Coronation Street last year (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n

In a fun fact, Charlotte is the third cast member of Corrie\u2019s Mick and Kit flashback episode <\/a>to join the cast of Hollyoaks. <\/p>\n

Brook Debio, who starred as young Kit on the ITV soap, plays Anthony Hutchinson <\/a>on the Chester-based soap while Lewis Walton \u2013 who will join Hollyoaks as part of the new Keane clan<\/a> \u2013 portrayed young Mick.<\/p>\n

Talk about a soap reunion!<\/p>\n

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on\u00a0Channel 4<\/a>\u2019s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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